Lynette Carrington CONTRIBUTING WRITER @LLCarrington Detour Company Theatre makes sure that every performance is free to the public and that no actor is ever turned away for lack of funds. OFFICE DOORS CONTINUED Theatre was born in 2003. Performers find Detour Company Theatre because of its stellar reputation for a variety of performance opportunities. Participation is maxed out, according to Sam, but there is talk of breaking the main stage group into two parts later this year. “It’s not based on ability. This would allow us to have Show A and Show B, and it looks like that may happen,” she said. The company currently has a main stage group, a summer workshop, an up-and-coming troupe and Detour on Tour that includes seasoned performers that travel and perform. Recently, Sam was awarded the Governor’s Arts Award in the individual category. “I was so surprised, so honored and completely awed by it all,” Sam said. “This is marginal theater. There is Jewish, Black, Asian, LGTBQ theater and those groups are championed and have the ability to write and speak for themselves. My population doesn’t do that.” She feels as though the Governor’s Arts Award recognizes Detour as a legitimate theater company providing an authentic arts experience for a marginalized group. “That’s huge, and that’s the soapbox that I’ve been on for 20 years,” Sam said. Christopher is now 41 and continues with Detour, attending classes ranging from hip- hop to improv. He was the catalyst for Detour Company Theatre, but Sam’s granddaughter Kenzie Belanger was further justification for her work. Sam’s daughter had a baby girl born with a rare genetic disorder resulting in disabilities. “I realized I was staring at the face of a new generation of princesses,” Sam said. “There is always going to be a new little one born with a diagnosis. I kept Detour going not just for my son, but because I was inspired that there was a little girl born with a disability that deserved a chance, and whose mommy deserved to believe that her daughter could dress up in costume and glitter and be surrounded by magic.” Kenzie passed away last year, before her fourth birthday, and the theater lives on in her spirit. Contemplating her own retirement, Sam still has her theater as top priority. “How do we inspire a younger generation of artists, teachers and creative, heart-motivated, compassionate folks to keep this kind of work going?” she said. Sam’s biggest endeavor now is transfusing her passion into others. “I want to train, invite and encourage a new generation of teachers, directors and designers so they see that theater belongs to all.” To learn more about Detour Company Theatre, go to detourcompanytheatre.org . 14 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

Frontdoors Media will once again be producing its special Tax Credit publication featuring qualified entities for the 2018-19 tax season. With a run time from November 1, 2018 to the April 15, 2019 contribution deadline, it’s a great resource for eligible organizations looking to stand out from the crowd and for individuals looking for the right place to donate. WHAT IS THE TAX CREDIT GIVING GUIDE? This annual guide is a special publication that includes an infographic and an article on the donations and how they work, citing experts in the finance, education and nonprofit fields to demonstrate how easy it is for donors to participate. The article will provide links to further documentation, including the directory of participating organizations in each of the four tax credit categories, so that readers can have third-party confirmation that their donation is going to a legitimate cause. The goal is simple — to show readers that tax credit contributions are a quick, easy and effective way to support charities without adversely impacting their bottom line. Contact andrea@frontdoorsmedia.com by October 3, 2018 to reserve your space in one of the following tax credit categories: 1. ARIZONA QUALIFIED CHARITY TAX CREDIT (LIMITED TO 50 QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS) 2. ARIZONA QUALIFYING FOSTER CARE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION TAX CREDIT 3. PUBLIC SCHOOL TAX CREDIT 4. PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION Andrea Tyler Evans | Publisher | andrea@frontdoorsmedia.com | 480-622-4522 | frontdoorsmedia.com RESERVE A SPOT IN THE 2018-19 GUIDE TODAY! PACKAGE BENEFITS AND PRICING COST: $800 Organization Logo & Listing Logo placement in the Giving Guide, as well as a 100-word description of the organization and the program or programs that benefit from tax credit contributions. The listing includes a button linking to your tax credit contribution site. Tax Credit Package Organization Logo & Listing One (1) 640x140 run-of-site banner ad with click-thru on FrontdoorsMedia.com for November and December One (1) half-page ad in one issue of Frontdoors Magazine during the 2018-19 season FrontdoorsTV Looking to add video content to your campaign? Reservations are now open for the second season of FrontdoorsTV with Carey Peña. Contact Andrea at 480-622-4522 or andrea@frontdoorsmedia.com for more information. COST: $1,500 CUSTOM PACKAGE AVAILABLE A savings of $600 over retail rate PRESENTED BY 2018-19 Arizona Tax Credit GIVING GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY