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The Peter Pan Foundation exists to inspire children of all ages to reach their full potential by encouraging confidence, character, and creativity through music and theater, while instilling the value and benefits of community outreach. Through PPF, thousands of participants have been a part of philanthropic endeavors resulting in thousands of dollars in donations to community causes, partnered with the support of the health, mental health, and well-being of those who need us most. We are forever dedicated to finding ways to always be - and to help inspire the world to be - the most giving, loving, inclusive, anti-racist, inspiring safe space we can be for all. PPF is about making magic in the world by realizing that - with all of the incredible, strong, passionate, radiant, diverse, inspiring people on this planet - the magic is already there.

In 2006, I met a young man, Steffen Ryge, who also believed in magic. I wrote this show so that he could bring his magic to the stage, and, together with other caring teens, we could raise money and hope for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. Just six months after he performed as our Peter Pan, we lost him to a tragic car accident, but his magic lives here - on our stage, on the screen, and in our hearts. The Peter Pan Foundation began in his honor, but our show, Steffen’s show, “Wish Upon A Star”, is where it all began. Thousands of performers have participated in this production since 2006, thousands of dollars have been donated to CHO through our production, and we are grateful to the thousand of hearts that will share in our magic this Memorial Day Weekend.

The Peter Pan Foundation is a place of love, light, individuality, talent, friendship, inclusion, philanthropy, music, art, and connection... one which supports and celebrates the beauty of uniqueness & diversity & empathy & magic. YOU are our magic. And we will continue to do what we can to make wishes come true for you this WUAS weekend and beyond!

Much love and may all your wishes come true!

Leslie Noel Hansen
Founding Artistic Director