The Children's Trust To Honor Earl Maulding Of Actors' Playhouse At Champions For Children Awards Ceremony

The Children's Trust will celebrate the unparalleled achievements of local trailblazers - Earl Maulding, Director of Theatre for Young Audiences at Actors' Playhouse, Juvenile Division Circuit Court Judge Cindy S. Lederman and Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez - all of whom are improving the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County - at the 13th Annual Champions for Children Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 14, 2018, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Jungle Island's Treetop Ballroom.

Earl Maulding, director of Theatre for Young Audiences at Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, will be honored by The Children's Trust for his 30 plus years of dedication to children and theatre with the prestigious Excellence in Direct Service To Children and Family award.

Maulding is responsible for all artistic and educational aspects of the Actors' Playhouse Theatre for Young Audiences, including the company's year-round conservatory program. Under his guidance, Actors' Playhouse has been named the "Best Children's Theatre in Miami" by both The New Times and South Florida Parenting. The "Musical Miracles," a youth repertory company that he founded and directs, has a unique partnership with the City of Miami Programs for Person's with Disabilities which brings together able-bodied performers and performers with mental and physical challenges in a bi-annual production showcasing over 500 performers.

Maulding's former actors and students have performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in National Tours, International Tours, Regional Theatres, on cruise ships, film, television, are produced playwrights and populate some of the finest drama programs in the nation.

Also an author, lyricist and composer, Maulding's own original and adapted musical works have been received with rave reviews.

Additionally, he serves as Artistic Director, Talent Mentor and MC for the countywide youth talent competition Young Talent Big Dreams presented by Actors' Playhouse and The Children's Trust.

Awards include "The Spirit of South Florida" from NBC 6 South Florida, "Outstanding Contribution to Community Theatre" in the State of Florida from the Florida Theatre Conference and the "Remy Award" for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Theatre from The South Florida Theatre League. He has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Georgia.

His finest achievement is his daughter Ayla, a Musical Theatre Major at East Carolina University.

In addition to Earl being honored with the Excellence in Direct Service Award, Juvenile Division Circuit Court Judge Cindy S. Lederman will accept the prestigious David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award for lifetime achievement and dedication to children, Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez will receive the Excellence in Public Policy Award, and the Program of the Year honorees are Concerned African Women, Fit Kids of America, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School.

In recognition of the divisions and strife that continue to plague our neighborhoods and our world, this year's featured presentation will be a dance and vocal performance of "Somewhere" from West Side Story by Thomas Armour Youth Ballet in collaboration with Actors' Playhouse. The celebrated musical is an update of Romeo and Juliet that was inspired by a deadly youth gang fight outside a New York dance hall in 1955.

"It's critical to hold up as shining examples the individuals and organizations we should all emulate in building a community and culture that puts its children first," says James R. Haj, president and CEO of The Children's Trust. "We try to live by that every day at The Trust, but many others in the community are unaware of our award recipients' extraordinary achievements, achievements that are routinely changing the lives of children and families who often struggle in very challenging environments."

Champions for Children is a signature event amongst Miami-Dade's robust network of child and family advocates and inspires others to follow in the footsteps of those who have effected immeasurable community impact.

For more information about Champions for Children visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.

For more information about Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre visit www.actorsplayhouse.org

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