The MRA Foundation

On Christmas Day 2016, as I sat down to eat dinner with my family, I took advantage of having them all gathered around the table to tell them of my idea to start a nonprofit organization. While working in community youth theatre, I saw many families struggle to pay for classes and productions. I witnessed young artists who desired to perform forced to choose between taking a class to improve or learning a new skill and participating in the next musical because their families could not afford to pay for both.

I knew that I, together with the help and support of my family, could make it possible for those young people to participate in the classes and productions they so desired. We would do this in honor of Melanie and Rosie, who both found joy in participating in the arts.

Since 2017, The MRA Foundation has provided 37 youths with scholarships totaling $10,845. 

The Rosie Awards began in 2017 to honor two young performers from the community theatre where Rosie performed. The award is based on the outstanding character traits of young artists during their time at the theatre. Between 2017 and 2022, attendance at the event grew from 75 to 180, and recognized 12 young artists from the same community theater. In 2023, The Rosie Award was expanded to recognize 20 young performers from 10 community theatres in Central Indiana in front of 400 attendees.