Jake Spencer, one of The State Street Miracles, held his 30th birthday celebration at The Media Theatre recently and-instead of just receiving gifts for his milestone-gave back to the professional music theatre company that has allowed him to perform regularly for seven years.
At the event attended by 80 of his closest friends and associates, including government and cultural leaders of Delaware County as well as his Special Olympics colleagues, Spencer presented Artistic Director Jesse Cline with a donation of a 'Star' for the Miracles, which will be displayed in the theatre's lobby.
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| Pictured: Jake Spencer's mother Trish Cofiell, Media Theatre Artistic Director Jesse Cline, Miracle Jake Spencer, and the theatre's Development Associate Kimberly Bosshardt. |
Each star hung on the walls near the theatre's mission statement is worth $1000. Spencer collected the funds from his friends who attended the celebration so that the theatre would receive support for its performance troupe of adults with developmental disabilities and as a way of ensuring the State Street Miracles will forever have a place in the theatre's history.
Jesse Cline, upon accepting the Miracles' Star, said, "The Miracles program is the one we are most proud of here. It truly represents the idea that all who wish to perform on a professional stage have the opportunity to do so."
Jake Spencer's birthday celebration featured the concert, a reception, dancing, and karaoke for the participants. It was held on April 4. He's a founding member of the State Street Miracles, having started out at Camp Media Theatre a decade ago.
His mother, Trish Cofiell, could not be more proud. "Jake is my rock," she said. "It's been a blessed 30 years and I look forward to many, many more." She brought her concept for the Miracles to Cline seven years ago. The two of them collaborated on what the State Street Miracles have eventually become-- a performance troupe of adults with developmental disabilities, who continue to spread the joy of music and dance while increasing awareness of the talents and abilities of people like themselves.
After the Star presentation, Spencer and the rest of the Miracles performed a 30 minute concert on stage, encompassing every song they perform currently. Titles included "Getting To Know You", "Do Re Mi", "Over the Rainbow", and "That's What Friends Are For".
With an impressive list of performance credits including the Senate Russell Rotunda in Washington, D.C. and the State Senate in Harrisburg, the Miracles are true ambassadors spreading the joy of music and The Media Theatre. They've been featured on WHYY and NBC-10, Rose Tree Summer Concert Series, and have performed at Delaware County Council meetings as well as Naturalization Ceremonies and the swearing-in of Delaware County District Judges.
The troupe is a part of The Media Theatre's educational and community outreach mission to provide opportunities for those with an interest in the performing arts while advancing their speech and articulation, increasing self-esteem, and providing for stronger independence and decision-making for each group member.
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| The Miracles perform with the Villanova University Supernovas (2014) |
While people with disabilities are more included today in the school and work environment, there are still many barriers preventing them from participating in the arts community. The Media Theatre, through the work of the professional music theatre organization known as Media Music Theatre Company, provides a bridge to performance opportunities.
“We are happy to be able to showcase a group of performers like the State Street Miracles, who really demonstrate the pure joy of live performance,” said Jesse Cline, artistic director of the Media Theatre. “We are proud to have them as part of the Media Theatre family and they only strengthen our mission to nurture the joy, creativity and diversity unique to music theater. This group embodies the joy of music theater!”
The State Street Miracles are available to perform one or all of their songs at community functions in exchange for a donation to their program. They are also available to open events with “God Bless America.” For information about the State Street Miracles, contact Trish Cofiell at 610-459-5498. You may also visit www.mediatheatre.org or contact The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100.
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