“When you see the impact it has on young people, you do everything you can in your power to make sure it keeps going,” says Tamela Aldridge, Executive Director of Only Make Believe (OMB). For 25 years, OMB has been bringing the transformative power of theater to children who need it most. Founded by Dena Hammerstein in 1999, the organization has reached over 100,000 children in New York City, Washington, D.C., and beyond, offering joy and creative expression to kids in hospitals, care facilities, and special education programs. As the organization prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala event, it reflects on its journey, its impact, and its future.
Only Make Believe: Bringing Theater to Those Who Need It Most
Only Make Believe creates and performs interactive theater for children facing medical and developmental challenges. The organization’s performances are designed with the specific needs of these children in mind, using sensory-based theater to foster social and emotional learning. “We’re very intentional and thoughtful in how we create this interactive, sensory-based theater,” shared Aldridge. “It helps promote the growth of their social and emotional learning skills.”
OMB’s work is made possible through partnerships with various corporate sponsors, who support the organization through volunteer efforts. These partnerships enable OMB to bring magic to children who might not otherwise have access to such experiences. “Our corporate partners allow us to bring these events and this magic to the children,” shared Gabriella Guimaraes, OMB’s Corporate Partnerships Manager. “They support us through funding and volunteer events where they help create costumes and props for the shows, making a direct impact on the kids’ experience.”
Celebrating a Milestone: The 25th Anniversary Gala
This year marks a significant milestone for Only Make Believe as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The upcoming gala is not just a celebration of the past 25 years but also a chance to honor the organization’s founder, Dena Hammerstein. “We’re honoring our founder this year, who started this journey in 1999 with the simple yet profound idea of bringing joy to children in need,” said Chris Wilson, Director of Programming & Communications. “Dena was the driving force behind many of our scripts and performances, often writing them herself. It’s amazing to see how her vision has grown.”
The gala will bring together supporters, partners, and friends of OMB, many of whom have been involved with the organization since its inception. “It’s a way for us to showcase what we’ve been doing and why it’s so important,” added Aldridge. “We’re opening our doors and saying, ‘This is what we’ve achieved, and it’s all thanks to your support.’”
The Impact of Theater on Children’s Lives
The impact of OMB’s work goes beyond entertainment. By providing children with a creative outlet, the organization helps them build critical life skills and cope with the challenges they face. “Theater empowers children, allowing them to express themselves and build social-emotional skills in a fun and engaging way,” Wilson noted. “We’ve seen children make tremendous progress, from being hesitant and withdrawn to actively participating in performances and finding joy in the experience.”
Through its interactive performances, OMB helps children develop confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging. “Every child has something unique to offer, and our programs give them the freedom to express that in whatever way they choose,” added Aldridge. “Whether it’s through a monologue, dance, or simply watching and engaging, every form of participation is valuable.”
A Call to Support Only Make Believe
As Only Make Believe looks to the future, it continues to expand its reach, both in-person and virtually, to bring the magic of theater to even more children across the country. The organization’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility has been a cornerstone of its work, allowing it to serve a diverse range of children with varying needs. “We’re not limited by geography anymore,” said Aldridge. “With our virtual programs, we’re reaching kids in 16 different states, and we’re constantly growing.”
The upcoming gala is an opportunity for supporters to contribute to this vital work and help OMB continue to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. “We want to serve as many children as possible, and with your support, we can keep expanding our programs and reaching new communities,” she concluded.
Join Only Make Believe in celebrating 25 years of joy, creativity, and impact. Learn more about the gala and how you can support their mission by visiting their website today.During the lead up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day dedicated to service, unity, and social justice, employees from Situation Group came together to support Only Make Believe (OMB) in a hands-on, creative workshop. Their mission? To craft costumes that will help bring OMB’s interactive theater performances to life for children in hospitals, care facilities, and special education programs.
This meaningful collaboration not only honored Dr. King's legacy but also reinforced the power of the arts to heal, uplift, and unite communities—an idea deeply embedded in both OMB’s work and Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community.
Only Make Believe: Theater That Transforms Lives
For 25 years, Only Make Believe has been bringing the magic of live theater to children facing medical and developmental challenges. Founded by Dena Hammerstein, the organization believes that every child deserves the chance to dream, create, and experience joy. OMB’s actors perform fully interactive, sensory-based shows designed to engage children of all abilities, fostering creativity, social connection, and emotional resilience.
"We see the power of theater in action every day," says Tamela Aldridge, Executive Director of Only Make Believe, in an interview previously published by Inspired. "It gives these kids a chance to express themselves, to laugh, to imagine a world beyond the challenges they face. And that is truly transformative."
With a presence in New York City, Washington, D.C., and beyond, OMB has reached over 100,000 children, making a direct and lasting impact. Their work relies on dedicated volunteers, corporate partnerships, and community engagement, ensuring that children who might not otherwise have access to the arts can experience its magic.
Caption: Photo Credit: Maya Jackson
The MLK Jr. Day Workshop: Crafting Costumes, Creating Joy
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not just a day of remembrance—it’s a call to action. In that spirit, employees from Situation Group rolled up their sleeves and channeled their creativity into making costumes for OMB’s productions. For many of the participants, this hands-on activity was a powerful reminder of why arts access matters.
"Knowing that the costumes we created will be used by children in OMB’s programs made this experience incredibly meaningful," shared one Situation Group employee. “For a child, it can make a huge difference—helping them step into a story, feel like a hero, and get lost in the magic of make-believe."
Another volunteer reflected on the deeper significance of the day: "Dr. King spoke about the importance of service, of showing up for others. This was a way for us to do that—to use our talents to bring joy to kids who need it most."
Caption: Photo Credit: Anna Grace Wheeler
Why Dr. King’s Vision Matters in the Arts
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equity, inclusion, and the power of community. He envisioned a world where all children—regardless of background or ability—had the opportunity to thrive. That vision aligns deeply with Only Make Believe’s mission to bring theater to children who might otherwise be left out of traditional arts experiences.
Theater, like Dr. King’s message, has the power to unite. It brings people together, fosters understanding, and creates moments of shared humanity. Through programs like OMB, children who may feel isolated—whether due to illness, disability, or other challenges—find a place where they can belong, express themselves, and experience joy.
The Ripple Effect: How Small Acts of Service Create Lasting Change
"This experience reminded me that change doesn’t always happen in big, dramatic moments," said a Situation Group volunteer. "Sometimes, it’s in the small, creative acts of service that we make the biggest impact."
As Only Make Believe continues its mission, the organization welcomes more opportunities for engagement, volunteerism, and support. The MLK Jr. Day workshop was a powerful example of how businesses, individuals, and nonprofits can come together to make a difference—one costume, one child, one performance at a time.
