By Jaydee Sheppard. November 20, 2025
UPDATE: A GENEROUS family will match dollar for dollar of donated funds in November and December!!! Please DONATE!
Take Note Troupe, or TNT, is one of the most positive forces shaping youth in our Greater Sacramento community, and I am proud to be a board member! Their mission is simple and powerful. They use Play Theory principles to help kids develop confidence, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and creativity. Play Theory teaches youth how to look outward, serve others, be present, and choose joy in every situation. The impact is real. Kids who participate in TNT become stronger communicators, kinder leaders, and more resilient human beings.
The Heart of TNT: Play Theory and Youth Development
Everything TNT does is built on Play Theory, which is a set of priciples that make for a great performance and general life motto. These priciples are :
The Four Play Theory Principles
Accept and Build
Accept what is offered and build on it. This creates collaboration, connection, and trust. TNT classes, rehearsals, outreach programs, and productions are designed to teach young people how to connect with others, express themselves, and grow in a supportive environment. For many families, TNT is a safe place where youth feel seen, valued, and confident in who they are.
Be Present
Stay focused, listen fully, and engage in the moment.
Let Go and Play
Release fear, perfectionism, and self consciousness so you can participate with joy and creativity.
Look Outward
Shift attention away from self and toward serving, supporting, and noticing the needs of others.
My own kids have incredible memories performing with this organization. They have learned responsibility, teamwork, courage, and pure joy through every show, class, and service opportunity. TNT has shaped their character and given them lifelong friendships. They have also helped me focus my business on serving others. Afterall, serving is where we can make the most memorable impact and that has been the secret to my success in real estate!
Community Outreach: Free Shakespeare in the Park
One of the most impressive parts of TNT’s mission is their commitment to sharing the arts with the entire community. Their annual Shakespeare in the Park performances are completely free and travel throughout the region. Every summer, families gather with blankets and lawn chairs (and Popeye’s Chicken if you are a Sheppard!) to enjoy professional quality theater in local cities like:
- Fair Oaks
- Auburn
- Roseville
- Lincoln
- Rocklin
These free shows bring people together and make live theater accessible to everyone. The performances are joyful, energetic, and memorable for both the audience and the youth on stage. When kids perform in Shakespeare in the Park, they are serving the community in a meaningful and uplifting way through education and performance.
Service Beyond the Stage: Koinonia, The Salt Mine, and Free Play Theory Workshops
Take Note Troupe goes far beyond performances. Their outreach programs over the years have impacted many lives, and still do. My family has been able to contribute to several activities, including:
Koinonia in Loomis:
TNT youth volunteer their time to teach Play Theory classes to the teens at Koinonia. These workshops help young people learn self-regulation, teamwork, healthy interaction, and positive choices. It has been powerful and life-changing work.
The Salt Mine in Lincoln:
TNT has partnered with The Salt Mine to support their service efforts for local families. When TNT shows up at community service projects, they show up with enthusiasm, compassion, and a strong desire to lift others.
Free Play Theory Workshops:
TNT also offers free Play Theory workshops to schools, local businesses, and community groups. These workshops teach communication, collaboration, emotional awareness, and optimism. The skills learned in these sessions make a lasting difference in classrooms, workplaces, and homes.
“Making the World a Better Place One Performance and Workshop at a Time”
This is more than a motto for Take Note Troupe. It is the heartbeat of how they operate. Every class, every performance, every rehearsal, and every community project is focused on making life better for someone else. TNT gives so much to our youth and our neighborhoods, and Giving Tuesday is our chance to give back.
How Your Donation Helps
Your contribution will directly benefit the kids and the community by providing the resources needed to continue offering:
- Free Shakespeare in the Park performances
- Free Play Theory workshops
- Outreach to places like Koinonia and The Salt Mine
- Costumes, sets, props, and supplies for youth leadership programs
- Scholarships for kids who cannot afford participation fees
- Community service opportunities that help teens learn to love serving others
When you donate to Take Note Troupe, your support immediately goes back into the community. You are investing in the next generation and strengthening the culture of service, confidence, creativity, and kindness in our region.
Click here to donate directly to Take Note Troupe:
👉 https://www.takenotetroupe.org/donate
If you are also looking for other ways to give locally this month, you can read my guide:
“Sacramento and Placer: 7 Simple Ways to Donate”
https://www.jaydeesheppard.com/sacramento-and-placer-7-simple-ways-to-donate/
