Community theatre, at its best, both draws from and gives back to the local community. Hence, we seek not only to produce quality theatre, but also to contribute to broader development of the performing arts here in Hanoi as well as local organisations and charities that desperately need financial support. In 2004, we made our first support grant to Together Higher, a Hanoi-based dance troupe of 7 hearing impaired and 5 professional Vietnamese dancers, which was chronically short of proper dance attire. Since that first grant, we’ve assisted an HIV-AIDs positive theater group in Binh Dinh, the National Theatre of Vietnam (renovations), participation of Nguyen Trieu Duong in a theater management course in London, and SameStuff theatre (community development dance troupe).
In 2008, for BLOOD BROTHERS, we chose to donate all profits to REACH, a local NGO specializing in vocational training and employment for Vietnam’s most disadvantaged youth. HITS raised a whopping amount of almost $8000 and in 2010, HITS continued to seek local NGOs to support. BEAUTY & THE BEAST raised over $3000 for ACCV (Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam).
Our next show “LOVE SHORTS” will be supporting HealthRight International’s Promoting Community Based Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children project. Launched in 2008, PCC-OVC provides ongoing care and support to more than 500 HIV-affected children and their families in Hanoi.
By supporting local NGOs during our productions, we not only assist with cash donations but by raising awareness and profile in the local community. In fact some of our HITS members have gone on to work for the very NGOs with whom we have partnered. True community spirit!
Next time we could raise money for you and your organisation. Get in touch!
hits.hanoi@gmail.com
