Agoura Hills teen directs musical to help kids with heart disease
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

DANNY FISCHER /Special to The Acorn ON STAGE- Agoura Hills teen Shayna Turk, far right, leads her cast in a number from a theater production of the hit Disney film "High School Musical." The Agoura Hills 15yearold directed the allyouth cast in the show to raise funds for Music for Heart, an Agoura Hills nonprofit that helps children with congenital heart disease.

Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills used her hobby to raise more than $1,700 for children with congenital heart disease. The 15-year-old, who enjoys acting and directing, led 24 local kids ages 5 to 11 in a theater production of Disney's hit film "High School Musical." Instead of selling tickets to the performances, held on August 2 and 3, Shayna asked audience members for $5 donations. Family and friends responded with a lot more.

"We were happy to support Shayna," said Lara Barrett of Oak Park, whose 10-year-old son Zach was in the show. "We were impressed that a kid would go out of her way to help make a difference."

Proceeds are going to Music for Heart, a local nonprofit organization that raises funds through an annual benefit concert. Money raised helps disadvantaged children with congenital heart disease in other countries obtain surgery.

The organization has personal meaning for Shayna.

The nonprofit was established by Shayna's longtime friends, the Small family of Agoura Hills.

The Smalls, including dad Craig, mom Brenda, and sisters Jaime, Kylie and Delaney, formed Music for Heart after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Now 5, Delaney had heart surgery at eight months old.

Shayna, who's known Delaney since the little girl's birth, babysat for her and her sisters. For her bat mitzvah project two years ago, Shayna raised $800 by selling rubber band bracelets imprinted with inspirational words.

Shayna and Delaney formed a bond early on, according to Brenda Small. Shayna's decision to make the show a fundraiser to support Delaney impressed the Smalls.

"For a 15yearold to do something like that is quite remarkable," Brenda Small said. "We were really touched."

As the youngest member of the "High School Musical" cast, Delaney, who was ill the first night of the show, did appear the second night in the role of Cyndra. Her sisters Jaime, 11, and Kylie, 8, were in the performances in various roles.

Shayna's siblings also participated in the all-kid production. Her sister Talia starred as Gabriella the first night; brother Andrew served as general manager, handling lighting and seating.

"Shayna's a great role model for other children," Brenda Small said.

Based on her own experience in the theater, Shayna decided to direct a show for young kids.

"When I was younger I always wanted to get a main part in shows, but they were always given to the older kids," Shayna said.

Acting since sixth grade and appearing in 18 shows, many with a theater company in the San Fernando Valley, Shayna said she loves theater because "you don't have to really be yourself."

"I like being onstage and being a different person. No one expects what you give them," Shayna said.

The money Shayna raised will help Music for Heart cover its expenses, including the $5,000 per patient fee paid to hospitals and doctors who volunteer their services for the program, travel expenses for patients and training for medical professionals in El Salvador to perform lifesaving corrective heart surgery on children in their own country.

So far, Music for Heart has helped save the lives of 11 children from various countries.

Music for Heart's latest patient is Joselyne, a three-year-old from El Salvador with severe congenital heart disease who is expected to return to the United States for a second heart surgery.

Shayna hopes to continue to support a cause like Music for Heart. "It felt so good to make a difference in this girl's life," Shayna said. "I would like to do this again."