Colleen Zana is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight because she cares about those that are in need and is doing something about it. By founding the Valparaiso Theatrical Company (VTC), known as “The Theater That Cares”, Colleen has been able the ensure charities such as The American Cancer Society, Toys For Tots, Special Olympics, Autism Speaks, Habitat for Humanity, and local charities including The Porter County Animal Shelter, Portage Tri Kappa, 500 Turkeys, and Family House have more resources as they have received additional funding through the proceeds of the theater.
The VTC was founded in 2010 by Colleen, along with her husband Steve, with the mission, “To offer professional theater at an affordable price while giving to charitable causes.”
Colleen and Steve have been actively involved with the American Cancer society for over 15 years. Steve explained, “We ran out of ways to raise money.” That’s when the idea for the VTC came up. Colleen asked, “Why don’t we have a charitable theater where we can put on shows that give back to those charities that are in need of raising money?”
The success of the first show, “Monty Python Parodies Skit Competition”, which featured the talents of Valpo’s own Mayor Jon Costas and Sheriff David Lain, was the deciding factor to see if there would be a response to the new theater. Colleen said, “We knew we had a niche no one else had." The Valparaiso Theatrical Company was able to raise over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society with that production.
The involvement with the American Cancer Society would hit close to home for Colleen however. On January 3, 2011 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Just prior to that diagnosis, on December 30, 2010 she lost her job. Colleen said, “It was like getting hit in the face with a wet fish.” She added, “Survival mode sets in and you take it day by day.” Colleen did not slow down with the theater because, as the old saying goes, “The show must go on.” In fact, during the recent production of Dial “M” For Murder, Colleen went straight from being in the hospital to the set to help.
Colleen said, “My oncologist said to me, ‘You are not going to want to get out of bed. Get out of bed everyday even if it is just to get dressed and go lay back down.’ That was my focus. When I was at my worst, the more I did that, the stronger I was. It became my ‘mantra,’ if you will.”
With each production, the Valparaiso Theatrical Company has become more successful and is attaining more recognition as “The Theater That Cares”. As the success of the VTC continues, more money will be donated to those in need. Colleen explained, “My long term goal with the theater is to create a visual and performing arts center; one that includes all aspects of creativity that would encourage youth and adults to express themselves in a positive way. I want everyone to be able to attend. I would have a separate board so that the underprivileged or those that cannot afford classes would still be able to attend.”
“We need a permanent home.” She explained, “We’ve had to gypsy around for venues. The venues including Ivy Tech, The Elks and Cornucopia Coffee have been so generous to our theater, but some cannot let us perform shows on the weekend. With a permanent home we can do more shows and help more charities year round.”
Eric McCann, an actor with the VTC said, “It feels good to help people. Doing community theater is all volunteer-based, and being able to entertain people and give back to local charities is really rewarding.”
Bev Adkins, VTC Board Secretary shared, “Colleen is a wonderful example. She is very positive. Her passion is inspiring and she makes you want to do more because of how much she gives. It is nice to work with a theater that gives back to the community in a way that no other does.”
Patty Bird, Director, Actor and VTC Trustee expressed, “Colleen is bundle of energy. I think that her energy backed up by her passion for theater is prevalent in her passion for people and caring and that makes her a powerful force to reckon with.”
If you are a local charity that would love to work with Colleen Zana and the VTC to raise money for your charity, please visit valparaisotheatricalcompany.org. The VTC is currently taking applications for charities to benefit from the next performance, “Prelude to a Kiss”, due to be performed at the Memorial Opera House in November.