Only Make Believe

Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that creates and performs interactive theatre for children in hospitals, care facilities, and special education programs. Only Make Believe uses the power of make believe to fill spaces with song, dance, movement and laughter, inspiring joy and happiness. We are dedicated to the principle that freeing a child's imagination is a valuable part of the healing process.

Our interactive performances introduce children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to the world of live theater. The children become the stars of the show as every one of our performances is designed to include the audience in the storytelling process. As part of the show audience members select a volunteer-made costume piece that they can wear for the show, and keep with them to carry the magic of make believe long after we have left.

Only Make Believe has locations in NY and the Washington, DC metropolitan areas. In the DC area Only Make Believe currently works in Children's National Medical Center, HSC Pediatric Center, Jill's House, The Children's Inn at National Institutes of Health, and more. Our goal is to serve as many children as possible in the D.C. metropolitan area.

 Only Make Believe's main volunteer opportunities are our Craft for a Cause events.

At a Craft for a Cause event, volunteers will get to decorate hats or masks. or create tutus for our upcoming audiences. Audience members will get to select a costume piece that sparks their imagination to wear for the show, and keep with them. Volunteers do not need any artistic training or technical skill. All materials for crafting will be provided.

We also host additional Stitch for a Cause events. At these events volunteers will work with fabric and sewing machines to create capes for select partner facilities' audiences. Experience with a sewing machine and basic skills is needed for these events. Machines and fabrics will be provided, and an experienced sewer will be onsite for technical assistance. 

All volunteer events hosted by Only Make Believe are done through Eventbrite. Registration through Eventbrite is required to attend an event. Find our events here: Only Make Believe's Eventbrite Page