Teens Making a Difference, a Federal Way Youth service group is sponsoring a fundraiser, Give Our Regards to Broadway, for one show only, on Saturday, January 10 at the Knutzen Family Theater in Federal Way from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Ex-Broadway performers, Linda Terry, Nita Smith and Robert Worobec will star in a 2-hour, three-person show with scenes and songs from the Broadway musicals Camelot, Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon and more.

Linda Terry, Soprano, holds a master's degree in applied voice and has performed in regional opera companies throughout New England, serving as the soprano soloist for over a dozen performing groups.

She received "Outstanding Theatrical Performance of the Year" award for the Boston Phoenix newspaper for her role in a Cole Porter review. Ms Terry has soloed with symphony orchestras in Montana and Boston. Linda and her husband, Robert, live in Bozeman, Montana.

Nita Smith, Mezzo-soprano, has been active as vocal soloist, chorister, pianist, church organist and teacher since receiving her music degree from the University of Montana. She has soloed frequently with Montana symphonies. As a professional chorister, Nita has sung for nine consecutive years at New York's Carnegie Hall with the famed Robert Shaw Festival Singers. Nita has been associated with Missoula Community theaters for several years, serving as pianist and musical arranger for its cabaret troupe, "Bits and Pieces," and as musical director for various Missoula Children Theater productions.

Robert Worobec, Tenor, starred on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Godspell and perfected his art in regional theater companies and national tours.

He has produced, directed and starred in original music revues in dinner theatres around the country, including two-person revues, Two for the Show and Isn't It Romantic with his wife, Linda. Trio du Jour has performed in Chicago, Minneapolis, Toronto, Montana, Calgary, Mexico City and is planning events in California, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. this fall.

The Knutzen Family Theater is located at 3200 Dash Point Road in Federal Way. For tickets, call (360) 705-3728.

About Teens Making a Difference

Teens Making a Difference is a youth-driven group of teens with adult mentors dedicated to making a difference in the world.

It's mission is "To improve the lives of children around the world through service and love in hopes that we will all see new meaning and direction in our lives."

In the past five years, youth in this organization have assisted World Vision in distributing personally needed items to local families, schools and shelters, as well as helped in the reorganization of the warehouse, totaling 300+ hours of service. The teens have served at Teen Hope, a shelter for teens in Seattle, as well as the Ronald McDonald House for children with cancer.

They have worked at a soup Kitchen in Kent, wrapped Christmas gifts for needy children in King County and done Christmas caroling to Homes for the Elderly and veterans in the VA Hospital. They have sponsored two service trips to Mexico and done all of the necessary fundraising for this. The teens will continue to serve their community and world, and are grateful for the opportunity to do so.

The past service trips to Guaymas, Mexico in February of 2002 and 2004 included two different, but equally important, types of service.

The first trip included building a home for a family. The second trip included remodeling a house in the Franciscan Community that served as a Sunday school, a free medical clinic, and an adult skills school where women learned so sew in order to support their families. They also made financial contributions to both the orphanage and the building projects - money that the teens raised themselves.

Their work with the children directly was very rewarding! They worked at an orphanage in Guaymas called Hogar Paz y Bien (House of Peace and Goodness) that houses 43 children.

At the orphanage they taught basic English skills using songs, toys, flashcards, and games.

The English skills are beneficial and important to the children, but the most important thing the teens gave them was their love and a hope for a better life and bright future.

They also put together a number of educational material packets for the children living in the local neighborhoods. These children often have teachers and schools available, but not the paper or pencils to make learning possible.

Their educational packets provided these materials for them.

Teens Making a Difference has many other projects on the burner. Fundraising for these projects starts months ahead of time. The teens must cover the costs for travel, accommodations, food, building materials, educational materials for the Mexican children and other expenses.