Proceeds from charity show channelled to cancer society

ACTS of Performing Arts Cheras recently raised RM15,000 during a charity show entitled “King of Pop, The Musical” that celebrated the life and songs of Michael Jackson.

The funds raised was presented to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) recently at the centre in Cheras. The 200 performers, aged three and above, and their families helped raise the amount through generous donations and support.

The dedicated tutors, including actress Joanna Bessey, also contributed time and effort to make this performance an outstanding one.

NCSM was established in 1966 and was the first cancer-related NGO in the country. It provides education, care and support for persons affected by cancer. All services are given at a highly subsidised rate or even free of charge to eligible patients.

ACTS of Performing Arts, a centre dedicated to honing children’s creative talents in the arts, has channelled proceeds of fundraising events to various charities.

Past recipients included the National Stroke Association of Malaysia, the Star-Afghan Refugee Fund, Malaysian Children’s Aid Society, Cornerstone Orphanage, Metro Tabernacle Building Fund and Sayang Orphanage.

ACTS has an exciting line-up of events for 2011 and those wishing to fine-tune their creative talents and use their new-found talents for charity may sign up for drama workshops led by Bessey, choreographer-musical theatre director Michael Xavier Voon and actress-cum-drama tutor Farah Ashikin. These workshops will lead to performances of excerpts of well-known musicals.

ACTS also welcomes potential drama participants aged seven to 19 to sign up for the May workshops. Voon believes that “every child should take this opportunity as life ought to be celebrated with music, dance and drama.”

Bessey promises good fun that generates teamwork, articulation, stage presence and communication skills.

“I feel it is vitally important to inspire our future generation creatively and artistically. We should never underestimate the importance of artistic ability in a culture,” she said.

The drama workshops are conducted at 73 Jln Setia Bakti Damansara Heights and at 3-1 Jln Perdana 2 Tmn Segar Perdana Cheras. For details, call 03-20955691 (Foh, 2pm-8pm) or 012-6579924 (Yew).