The evening of Redding Adventist Academy’s final performance of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” was unseasonably warm. Nonetheless, the audience of 350 remained and returned for the second act. When the curtain fell, RAA had raised $2,800 for Redding’s Good News Rescue Mission, a haven for the homeless and destitute to receive spiritual and academic help.

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” is the fourth musical produced under the leadership of RAA’s music teacher, Debbi Alexander, drama instructor Mark Waterhouse and English teacher Lisa Moller. RAA has staged three other musicals since 2002, including “The Mikado,” “The Music Man,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

In addition to the positive response from family and friends of RAA students, the surrounding community responded well to the musicals—especially “Fiddler on the Roof.”

After “some Jewish friends of a parent had asked if [Alexander] would do a special performance for the Jewish community in Redding,” Alexander realized that the musicals could “raise awareness about [the] school” and “benefit a worthy organization in town.” They chose to benefit the Good News Rescue Mission.

Many supporters contributed to make the benefit a success. The mission’s executive director, Jim Dahl, obtained radio spots for several of the cast members and arranged television segments. Meanwhile, workers at the mission distributed flyers during their annual food drive, and RAA parents displayed promotional posters throughout town and sold tickets. Redding Christian Supply, a local bookstore, also handled ticket sales for the musical. By curtain time, the event was nearly sold out.

Dahl enjoyed working on the benefit. “It was great for the community to see three Christian organizations working together,” she said.

A couple of weeks after the production, Dahl hosted a chapel program at RAA and presented the students with a plaque of gratitude. To further reaffirm the students’ contribution to the mission, Dahl brought a mission resident in the process of rehabilitation in the facility’s program. An honor roll graduate from a Christian high school, the resident shared her personal experiences with the students.

Paul Turk, RAA math and Bible teacher, was thankful for the school’s involvement at the mission. “Teaching our kids to serve is an important part of what we do,” said Turk. “It really meant something for these kids to see where the money they raised was going.”

RAA student Blake Penland, the male lead in the musical agreed. “Drama is something I always enjoy doing, but to perform for a good cause made it that much more special,” said Penland. “When the young lady from the mission came to school and talked to us, it felt great to realize that we were able to be an influence in someone’s life and help them become an asset to their community.”