The Media Theatre's 2018 Volunteer Of The Year Is Rege Mcaden

The Media Theatre's 2018 Volunteer of The Year is Regenia 'Rege' McAden, a music educator with over forty years of experience.

She is receiving the honor at Roger Ricker's "Rocket Man" concert on Saturday September 15 for her dedication to consistently promoting The Media Theatre's mission and programming. She has, in the past six years, organized large group outings to the theatre's productions. With her theatre partnership, she has provided opportunities for students in the wider community to attend performances.

"I enjoy hosting the pizza lunches after the Children's Show performances," she said. "We get so many smiles from the young people, and the cast of each production comes out to say hello."

She loves to host students from inner-city schools in Philadelphia where sources are limited for studying the Arts. She established a group of friends who regularly join Media Theatre performances, and over the course of the theatre's season, she has over 200 youth and adults who see shows under her leadership.

Rege McAden is also a 'theater angel' of sorts, as she dutifully and annually seeks out a talented student who is awarded a Camp Media Theatre Scholarship. "Without the scholarship they may not be able to attend camp," she said. "When I spot the talent, I call the theater and they've been very accommodating. Things like that can change a young person's life."

A native of Philadelphia, Rege attended public schools and studied music at Germantown High School, where she played the clarinet in the band, cello in the orchestra, sang in the concert choir, and performed with the All City Orchestra and Choir. She then entered Temple University's College of Music and received a degree in music education with a minor in piano and voice.

Over the years, she has instructed students in classroom music, choral music, theatrical performance, and directed a summer Fine Arts Camp. She also has done private vocal coaching and piano instruction, and recruits and tutors cadets and candidates for the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale. She was recently honored in "Reprise", the PBCC alumni newsletter that celebrated the Choir's 50th anniversary.

She is currently a teacher at West Chester Friends School, where she also finds the time to develop and nurture theatre groups who attend The Media Theatre. "I started getting involved with The Media Theatre when one of my students-Lexi Gwynn-was involved there. After I started the involvement, it just never stopped. The Media Theatre is a gem for the surrounding region, with their professional Broadway Series and Children's Shows," she explained. "Their mission of education is also very important, so it needs to be supported. It's why I do what I do. To bring fulfillment to the lives of the young people who may not otherwise have such great opportunities."

For tickets to Roger Ricker's fundraising concert "Rocket Man", call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. Sponsorships for the event are also available.