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Melanie loved theater and performing for a live audience. She loved improv, musicals, comedy, and the whole theater experience. She appreciated and respected everyone’s role in making a production successful. She was a joy to be around and loved God, family and friends. Melanie was taken from us (murdered) on September 25th, 2007 by a stranger while returning to school after work.
The Melanie Therese Goodwin Memorial Scholarship Fund is a non-profit 501(3)C and has been established to help students majoring in theater, journalism, music, performing arts, voice, or Radio, Television, & Film (RTF) in college. Melanie’s was a sophomore at the University of North Texas (UNT) majoring in RTF. Funds are also used to allow underprivileged youth to attend theater classes and experience live theater.
So far 5 scholarships have been given to graduating seniors (1 went to a Bowie High School Drama Student and 4 went to Theater Arlington/SRO students)
3 scholarships have been given to underprivileged youth to attend classes or camps at Theater Arlington.
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
Funds share the love that Goodwin had
By ANGIE SUMMERS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Family and friends have gathered to make sure the aura surrounding one of Arlington's brightest stars never dims.
Melanie Goodwin was 19 when she was killed Sept. 25 after doing what came naturally to her -- being generous.
Goodwin, a sophomore majoring in radio, television and film at the University of North Texas, offered Ernesto Reyes a ride in Denton, police say. Reyes, 20, is in custody in Mexico and awaiting extradition to Texas to face murder charges in her death.
Since Goodwin's death, people have stepped forward to make sure that her spirit continues to shine through in the community by establishing several scholarship funds in her name.
The Melanie Goodwin Memorial Fund was started at Theatre Arlington from people who gave donations in her name.
The theater fund has around $7,500. Dallas photographer Mark Oristano plans to add nearly $1,500 from calendar sales.
Oristano, who started his acting career at Theatre Arlington and has been associated with it since 1980, decided to sell calendars this year that he normally gives to clients. The sales benefit the Goodwin fund.
"The acting community in North Texas is a very tightknit world, and when something like this happens, we all tend to draw closer together," he said. "I've done shows at Theatre Arlington. My daughter has done shows at Theatre Arlington. It really is like a family there, and at a time like this, family comes together."
Oristano, who has done theatrical photography for about seven years, did not know Goodwin but had photographed her in a couple of shows.
"The murder was a tragedy, and you can sit back and say how horrible it is and what a shame, but you've got to find some good in it. I wanted to make a difference," he said. "And who knows? Right now there may be some 9-year-old girl sitting out there who wants to participate in theater. Wouldn't it be great for this scholarship fund to make a difference in her life and help her with her dream in the theater?"
The fund will provide scholarship positions for indigent children who want to study in Theatre Arlington's education programs. Goodwin worked at the theater's summer camps, which are offered to children who stay at the Arlington Life Shelter.
Goodwin's family hopes to establish its own nonprofit endowment fund to provide scholarships for students in four areas: UNT's radio, television and film program; the Wesley Center at UNT; Theatre Arlington; and for a Bowie High School drama student "who exemplifies the same qualities of love, joy, compassion, unselfishness and kindness that Melanie had," said her mother, Peggy.
"Theatre Arlington played such a significant role in developing and instilling confidence in Melanie to perform, sing and speak before audiences of all sizes, ages and cultures. The directors encouraged her to work hard in school, represent the theater with pride, respect her peers and to perform at her highest level at all times," Peggy Goodwin said.
"She had a passion for the stage and audience and loved to make people laugh."
If you'd like to contribute, there are several ways:
Mark Oristano's calendars are $15 each and can be purchased by calling him at 214-546-3794 or by e-mailing him at mark@oristano.net. Donations should be earmarked for the Melanie Goodwin Fund.
Theatre Arlington donations may be sent to Penny Patrick, Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington, TX 76010. Contact
Patrick at 817-261-9628, or e-mail her at
penny@theatrearlington.org for more details. You can also donate online at www.theatrearlington.org.
The Bowie High School fund is being managed by St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 2045 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, TX 76018. Call 817-465-3043, ext. 201 for more information.
Two funds have been established at UNT. Donations may be sent to Lisa Wallace, University of North Texas Foundation, P.O. Box 305358, Denton, TX 76203; or to the Rev. Cammy Gaston, the Denton Wesley Foundation, P.O. Box 211097, Denton, TX 76203.
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