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Local teen inspires others to perform at camp, benefit charity
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

SHOOBY DO WOP—Children ages 5 to 12 perform in the summer production of "Grease," produced by 17-year-old Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills. The show benefited Music For Heart, funding surgeries for children with heart disease living in impoverished countries.

Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills recently directed 27 children in the musical "Grease," which closed July 19 at the Hidden Hills home theater of Shayna's grandparents, Jerry and Erica Miller. The teenager raised enough money to save a child with congenital heart disease.

Shayna, 17, has been producing musicals since she was 10 years old. For the past three years she has donated the proceeds from ticket sales to Music For Heart, a nonprofit foundation formed by Brenda and Craig Small of Agoura Hills that helps children with congenital heart disease in impoverished countries receive proper medical treatment and lifesaving surgeries.

Shayna's past efforts raised enough money to save three children, and this year's ticket sales generated $2,600, $100 more than is needed to pay for heart surgery in El Salvador.

Shayna Turk

"This is the third year in a row that Shayna has donated ticket proceeds to Music for Heart," Brenda Small said. "She actually is going to come with us on a mission in September to El Salvador. After this show four lives will have been saved."

The six-week drama camp gives children ages 5 to 12 the opportunity to perform. They sing, dance and deliver their lines with gusto due to Shayna's connection with the kids.

Zack Barrett, a 12-year-old who will attend Medea Creek Middle School next year and has participated in three of Turk's seven summer musicals, played Kenickie in two of the four performances of "Grease."

"I liked doing all the dances and singing and all the games that we play," Zack said. "We play acting games to help learn our lines. Shayna just makes . . . it fun."

The camp, which Shayna runs from her Agoura Hills home, culminates in four shows.

On opening night, the show abruptly ended when a cable broke, causing a power outage and threatening to set the house on fire. Workers toiled through the night to fix the cable, and the show was back on for the remaining weekend performances.

"With the biggest group we've had, it was the biggest success," Shayna said. "Each night got better as it progressed."

Shayna is already planning next year's productions. She plans on staging two shows instead of one to raise more money for the charity. At the end of this year's production of "Grease," she announced that next year's musicals will be "Mama Mia" and "Bye Bye Birdie."

For more information, visit www.dramastars.com or e-mail turksstars@aol.com.

TheAcorn.com | July 23, 2009
Link to article: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009-07-23/Dining_%28and%29_Entertainment/Shayna_Turks_stars_bring_down_the_house.html

“I have a perfectly healthy heart,” says 16-year-old Shayna Turk. In fact, some would say her heart’s in better shape than most.

Shayna was in fifth grade when a family friend, Brenda Small, had a daughter born with congenital heart disease. Shayna spent time helping out at the family’s home after the little girl’s corrective open-heart surgery. And when Small founded the nonprofit organization Music for Heart (www.musicforheart.org) to fund children’s heart surgeries around the world, Turk wanted to get involved.

A stage lover who’s been in more than two-dozen plays, Shayna was 10 years old when she launched a theatrical summer camp out of her Agoura Hills home. For six years, she’s been directing neighborhood kids in musical productions—with ticket proceeds going straight to Music for Heart.

“I start from square one and teach them their lines and practice dance steps and teach them how to sing,” says the founder of Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars. “We have rehearsals with costumes and lights and we put on a show for the parents.”

The four-week camp has grown every year. Last summer there were 33 campers and their play raised $3,300. “Over the years, I’ve saved three kids’ lives,” Shayna says. “Knowing I did that makes me feel really good about myself.”

She got to meet two of the children who benefited. “They don’t speak English,” she says, “but the smiles on their faces—it’s so thankful.”

Shayna is thankful, too. “Being associated with this organization [has] made me see what a great life I’ve been blessed with,” she says. “If I was born with congenital heart disease, I would want the same, and I’m just glad I can help other people.” For more information visit www.dramastars.com.

— Starshine Roshell

805Living.com | N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8
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Local teen inspires others to perform at camp, benefit charity
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

RAISING STARS—Far left, Shayna Turk, 16, has made an early career of training and inspiring young performers through her Rising Stars summer camp. Here the Agoura Hills teen takes a bow with the cast of "Hairspray" earlier this summer.

Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has produced and directed seven musicals, performed in 23 shows and raised enough money to save the lives of several children suffering from congenital heart disease.

Shayna is 16 years old.

The teenager, who recently inspired 18 youngsters ages 5 to 12 to sing, dance and act in the musical "Hairspray," launched her first summer drama camp at the age of 10 with "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." What started out as a way to spend time with neighborhood children became a fullfledged passion that has grown with each summer production.

The musical "Hairspray," Shayna said, has been the "most fun" production so far. "Being with these certain kids, people helping me—everything about it was really good," she said.

The six week "camp," called "Shayna Turk's Academy of Rising Stars," is conducted at Shayna's parents' home in Agoura Hills, but the four performances are staged at her grandparents' home in Hidden Hills. Jerry and Erica Miller have a separate theater attached to their home, complete with a curtained stage, lighting and sound equipment, and theater seating. So far, Shayna has produced, directed and choreographed such shows as "The Wizard of Oz," "Annie," Grease" and "Little Shop of Horrors."

Brian Gallop, 11, who played the part of Edna Turnblad, mother of "Hairspray's" lead character Tracy Turnblad, said he's participated in the camp for three years and plans on performing again in next year's production of "Grease."

"It's, like, super awesome," Brian said of the camp.

Three sisters have been loyal drama campers for several years. Jaime Small, 12, portrayed Tracy Turnblad, her third time as the lead in a Rising Star production, she said.

"It was really fun," Jaime said. "(Shayna) is just an amazing person."

Kylie Small, 9, said her part as Amber Von Tussle has been her favorite character so far. Delaney Small, 6, played several roles, including Little Inez, Brenda, a "Dynamite" girl and Tammy.

Delaney was Shayna's inspiration to tie ticket sales to a charity. Craig and Brenda Small of Agoura Hills formed the Music for Heart foundation after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Delaney's heart was repaired with surgery when she was eight months old; at that time Brenda Small launched the charity to help defray the cost of corrective heart surgery for children living in countries where surgery was either not available or unaffordable.

"(Shayna) is truly a remarkable teenager, and she has touched my heart with her kindness and generosity," said Brenda Small.

This year Shayna raised more than $3,200 for the Music for Heart Foundation, nearly double the amount raised last summer, Small said.

Small said Shayna was upset that she hadn't met her fundraising goals of $5,000. "I very quickly reassured her that what she had accomplished was, indeed, remarkable," Small said. "Rotary International matches donations to Music For Heart, so not only did Shayna meet her goal, but exceeded it," she said.

Shayna said her early performing experiences played a part in her decision to run a kids' drama camp. "When I was younger I would never get as good a part as the older kids," she said. She was particularly bothered by the fact that exceptionally talented children would be passed over not because of a lack of talent but because of their youth.

Shayna's "rising stars" all get a chance at lead roles. Many children learned several parts and portrayed different characters on different nights, she said.

Although Shayna has performed with the Class Act Musical Theatre in Woodland Hills, she isn't sure whether life on Broadway will be her professional calling.

"I still like medical stuff," Shayna said. "I kind of want to be a doctor."

But running summer shows may be hard for Shayna to give up. "It's become such a big part of my life," she said. "It's what I look forward to—meeting the kids, getting them out of their shell and getting them on stage."

For information on next year's camp and production of "Grease," e-mail turksstars@aol.com or visit www.dramastars.com.

TheAcorn.com | August 14, 2008
Link to article: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2008/0814/Community/020.html

Agoura Hills teen directs musical to help kids with heart disease
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

DANNY FISCHER /Special to The Acorn ON STAGE- Agoura Hills teen Shayna Turk, far right, leads her cast in a number from a theater production of the hit Disney film "High School Musical." The Agoura Hills 15yearold directed the allyouth cast in the show to raise funds for Music for Heart, an Agoura Hills nonprofit that helps children with congenital heart disease.

Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills used her hobby to raise more than $1,700 for children with congenital heart disease. The 15-year-old, who enjoys acting and directing, led 24 local kids ages 5 to 11 in a theater production of Disney's hit film "High School Musical." Instead of selling tickets to the performances, held on August 2 and 3, Shayna asked audience members for $5 donations. Family and friends responded with a lot more.

"We were happy to support Shayna," said Lara Barrett of Oak Park, whose 10-year-old son Zach was in the show. "We were impressed that a kid would go out of her way to help make a difference."

Proceeds are going to Music for Heart, a local nonprofit organization that raises funds through an annual benefit concert. Money raised helps disadvantaged children with congenital heart disease in other countries obtain surgery.

The organization has personal meaning for Shayna.

The nonprofit was established by Shayna's longtime friends, the Small family of Agoura Hills.

The Smalls, including dad Craig, mom Brenda, and sisters Jaime, Kylie and Delaney, formed Music for Heart after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Now 5, Delaney had heart surgery at eight months old.

Shayna, who's known Delaney since the little girl's birth, babysat for her and her sisters. For her bat mitzvah project two years ago, Shayna raised $800 by selling rubber band bracelets imprinted with inspirational words.

Shayna and Delaney formed a bond early on, according to Brenda Small. Shayna's decision to make the show a fundraiser to support Delaney impressed the Smalls.

"For a 15yearold to do something like that is quite remarkable," Brenda Small said. "We were really touched."

As the youngest member of the "High School Musical" cast, Delaney, who was ill the first night of the show, did appear the second night in the role of Cyndra. Her sisters Jaime, 11, and Kylie, 8, were in the performances in various roles.

Shayna's siblings also participated in the all-kid production. Her sister Talia starred as Gabriella the first night; brother Andrew served as general manager, handling lighting and seating.

"Shayna's a great role model for other children," Brenda Small said.

Based on her own experience in the theater, Shayna decided to direct a show for young kids.

"When I was younger I always wanted to get a main part in shows, but they were always given to the older kids," Shayna said.

Acting since sixth grade and appearing in 18 shows, many with a theater company in the San Fernando Valley, Shayna said she loves theater because "you don't have to really be yourself."

"I like being onstage and being a different person. No one expects what you give them," Shayna said.

The money Shayna raised will help Music for Heart cover its expenses, including the $5,000 per patient fee paid to hospitals and doctors who volunteer their services for the program, travel expenses for patients and training for medical professionals in El Salvador to perform lifesaving corrective heart surgery on children in their own country.

So far, Music for Heart has helped save the lives of 11 children from various countries.

Music for Heart's latest patient is Joselyne, a three-year-old from El Salvador with severe congenital heart disease who is expected to return to the United States for a second heart surgery.

Shayna hopes to continue to support a cause like Music for Heart. "It felt so good to make a difference in this girl's life," Shayna said. "I would like to do this again."

TheAcorn.com | August 16, 2007
Link to article: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2007/0816/community/038.html

Local Teen Helps Save the Life of a Child with CHD


Remarkable teen says,
“It feels so good to know that I made a difference in this little girl’s life”.

This past August, 15 year-old Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills combined her acting and directing talents to lead a cast of local 5-11 year olds in an all kid production of Disney’s big hit “High School Musical”. Having been the Small’s baby sitter, Shayna was well aware of Delaney’s medical history and the Small family’s commitment to helping other children with congenital heart disease. Admiring their commitment, she decided to make a difference as well and turn the performances of her show into a fundraiser for the Delaney Kate Honorary Heart Fund. Instead of having set ticket prices for admission to the shows, Shayna made a plea to her audience for donations. The results? She raised more than $1700 in two nights!!

After hearing the story of a little girl the foundation was currently helping, Shayna requested that her funds be designated to help bring 3 year old Joselyne Hidalgo back to the USA from El Salvador for her second surgery in 2008. During this time, Shayna, an incredible teenage role model, will have the opportunity to meet the child whose life she helped save.

Thank-you, Shayna, for helping us save the life of this precious child. Your generous act of selflessness is exemplary and greatly appreciated.

MusicForHeart.org
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