Volunteer of the Month – Debbie!

Debbie first came to GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland in 2016 as a parent, walking alongside her son Griffin and then his younger brothers, learning, growing, and soaking in the magic of a space built just for them. What began as participation soon became purpose, as her background in theater and her heart for inclusion quietly waited in the wings. In 2021, that purpose took center stage when she began shaping creative and accessible theater experiences – blending art, adaptation, and advocacy into something truly transformative. Today, she brings stories to life not just through performance, but by creating a place where every individual is seen, celebrated, and invited to shine, with the support of partners like Playhouse Square. For that reason, we are thrilled to highlight Debbie as our Volunteer of the Month!

Tell us a little about yourself! 

I’m a stay-at-home mama to three sweet boys. I have my degree in Theater and a strong passion for adapting theater programming so that it is accessible for all abilities!  

How did you first hear about GiGi’s Playhouse? 

GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland first opened when my oldest son Griffin, who has Down syndrome, was 1 year old! We were so excited to find a space just for him.  

What inspired you to start volunteering, and how long have you been involved? 

Back in 2021, Daniel Hahn (Vice President of Education for Playhouse Square) reached out to me interested in my involvement with GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland. We used to work together, and I explained my dream of bringing a Drama Program to GiGi’s! He asked how we could make that happen, and after a few meetings, our Drama Troupe was born! 

What’s one skill or talent you bring to the Playhouse that others might not know about? 

In addition to teaching and directing, I am a theater performer myself and have danced, sung, and acted on a few stages in the greater Cleveland area. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at GiGi’s? 

I love creating lesson plans just for our kiddos. Each session leaves me with more information on how to make the next session more tailored to our kiddos with different abilities! I’m always learning along with them (and having fun, of course!)  

What makes GiGi’s Playhouse special to you?

It’s grown with my baby! I’ve loved seeing the generous hearts that have been hired to work at GiGi’s and the many wonderful volunteers that have worked so hard to make GiGi’s a special place for my son and so many others! 

How does being a parent to an amazing individual with Down syndrome influence the way you volunteer? 

Having a child with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism has really made me challenge myself in how to create a Drama program that really is impactful for ALL our kiddos, because I believe theater is truly for everyone. I figure the more we work together to adapt to others’ needs, the more all of our programming and the world around us will learn to adapt, too! 

If you had to describe GiGi’s in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Inclusive, Loving  

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience?

I’m so grateful to GiGi’s and Playhouse Square for giving me the opportunity to bring theater to such a great group of individuals. It’s a dream come true for me!!