Long before Rick Ching became capital campaign chair to bring Diamond Head Theatre’s bold vision for a new campus a reality, he was a young father of a little wide-eyed girl with a song in her heart.
His daughter Stephanie was 4 years-old when Rick and his wife Marybeth took her to her first show. There she sat, motionless at the edge of her seat, entranced, for the entire performance. From that moment, she had found her calling and launched a love affair with ballet that led to 13 years of performances in the Nutcracker. She also sang and danced her way through many productions including Cinderella and The King & I. She helped others to fall in love with the performing arts as a teaching assistant at Punahou alongside her mentor John Rampage. Rick watched her daughter blossom as an artist and as human being on stage and at home.
Rick’s decision to bring the community together to raise the final $3.5 million, which is what’s needed to complete the new theatre house, is truly a passion project. However, it’s driven by more than an emotional reaction to the joy it has brought to his family.
It’s based on a sound assessment of what he believes is a project whose time has come. Since 2013, he’s been a part of the design and development of the new center and his enthusiasm for what’s to come is contagious. “We’re going to have a great patron space, great behind-the-scenes space for performers and an amazing auditorium for the theatergoers. Everyone is going to win here.”
As a businessman who serves at the President & COO of Servco, he also believes that DHT is a sound investment: “This organization is so well run from every angle.” he says with pride. “It’s got an experienced and skilled board of directors. The staff is incredible and long-standing. It’s a financially responsible organization. This organization is so worthy of every dime that’s given to it.”
The capital campaign committee has launched a website to share news and information about the efforts and to accept donations. Click here to learn more.
