We recently connected with Neicole Woodall and have shared our conversation below.

Neicole, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

December 30, 2016 my husband of 42 years had a massive hemorrhagic stroke. He was in intensive care for 28 days. During his hospitalization, we were notified that we had no insurance coverage. The start up company he was working for had been deducting insurance premiums from his checks, but had not been paying the premiums. Since the company had lapsed the insurance 3 times that year they were not given permission to put the policies back in place, We were left with a $500,000 .00 medical debt. The deadline to sign up for Obama care insurance had passed, but due to our circumstances, we were granted permission to sign up .The coverage would not cover the current hospital charges. I was not given any promise of my husband’s recuperation, so I applied for early social security. and disability which took a year to approve. The hospital graciously granted us a 95% discount off of the hospital charges. What an incredible gift, right? Once the families and students of Genesis heard what happened, they started a Go Fund Me. Two of our students coordinated a cabaret show and unbeknownst to us, gave us all of the ticket money to go toward our hospital bill. Another student was celebrating her birthday and asked not to receive presents, but to donate money to our Go Fund Me, Our Genesis families and students raised enough money to cover the 5% left. I can’t even put into words what this kind, unselfish act meant to me and my family. To this day, my family will be eternally grateful for what our Genesis families gave to us.

Neicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My theater story began when my 5th grade daughter changed her interest from dance to theater. She started acting and performing, and I was her chauffer. I was always a hands-on mom, so I began volunteering for her shows. I started out making costumes and then added painting sets. I eventually began teaching art and was office manager., scheduler, all around go to person. I had the privilege of learning the business side, technical side and performing side of children’s theater. From time to time, my family would talk about how we might start up our own theater and what we would do different. In 2009 the opportunity became available for my daughter and I to start our own theater,. It was divine intervention and we embraced the challenge. We were going to build a family and have our environment be a home away from home for our students. One of the things that sets us apart is that we do not double cast our shows. We believe that given a single role allows each student to concentrate and develop a character with more success. Naturally, we would benefit financially by making our casts bigger with doubles, but we chose to invest in our students over finances. No student has ever been or ever will be turned away because of limited finances. We believe in the life skills theater teaches . Every child can find value in theater. Our students are the most important thing for us. We want them to feel and know that they are a part of our family, and we want to help them become the best part of themselves. In 2021 a scholarship award was implemented for 2 graduating seniors each year worth $20,000 each. This scholarship is weighted more on mentorship and good stewards than academics. Eligible candidates must receive letters of recommendations from younger students describing how that senior has mentored them and helped them. Seniors must also give examples of how they have volunteered with Genesis.
As our students graduate high school, they are anxious to return back to Genesis to teach, mentor, perform with staff and volunteer. I am most proud of the great humans we are allowed to mentor.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

To sit in at auditions and observe the nerves and apprehension of some students and then fast forward to the shows to see what progress they have made. To not only watch 1 performance, but to see the students continually evolve and make bold choices at each show.. The confidence in all of the students is exhilarating!

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To provide a safe place where all children can come and not be judged, create amazing art, learn skills and make life long friendships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,genesischildrenstheatre.org
• Instagram: instagram/genesistheatre
• Facebook: Genesis Children’s Theatre
• Twitter: @genesistheatre
• Youtube: Genesis Children’s Theatre
• Yelp: Genesis Children’s Theatre