“Hamilton” to Donate Proceeds to Immigrant Services

Photo by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lin-Manuel Miranda announced that the proceeds generated by the anniversary performance of the musical Hamilton will be donated to a coalition of nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing services to immigrants. Miranda, the composer and lead actor of Hamilton, indicated that the anniversary presentation on August 6 will raise approximately $1.4T3 million for the coalition: “Immigrants, We Get The Job Done.”  

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Miranda Family, the Miranda Family Fund and the cast of Hamilton will donate these funds.

In an interview with AP NEWS, Miranda explained how this decision honors the legacy of the founding father who inspired one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history: Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the United States Treasury. Although he was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis, Miranda maintains that he “certainly wouldn’t consider himself an immigrant.”

Despite this, Miranda explains: “His story in our country somewhat mirrors that of an immigrant. He didn't grow up here. He didn't come from England. He came from the Caribbean, fleeing difficult circumstances. And he truly helped shape this country.”

Immigrants, We Get The Job Done

The Hispanic Federation is the organization in charge of the coalition of nonprofit groups "Immigrants, We Get The Job Done." This coalition takes its name from one of the most famous lyrics from the musical., sung by the titular Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette.

This coalition connects several organizations that offer different services to diverse immigrant communities. These organizations include: ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services), Alianza Americas, America's Voice, Asian Law Caucus, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Haitian Bridge Alliance, Immigration Equality, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), National Day Laborer Network (NDLON), National Immigration Law Center, Tahirih Justice Center, Texas Civil Rights Project, and United We Dream.

The Hispanic Federation, in collaboration with the Miranda Family, established “Immigrants, We Get The Job Done,” in 2017. This coalition has worked closely with the anniversary of Hamilton, to transform this presentation into a philanthropic opportunity: 

“The funds raised through the charitable function of Hamilton "The funds will be used to support the essential work of coalition members, including direct legal assistance, social services, education, and organizing and advocacy. Immigrant services will be provided based on the greatest need in specific communities and among particularly vulnerable populations, such as unaccompanied minors, refugees, immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, asylum seekers, Dreamers, day laborers, LGBTQ+ immigrants, and others." The Hispanic Federation. 

Hamilton

Hamilton It's one of the most successful musicals in the history of musical theater, and it's definitely the most successful recent musical. The musical premiered in 2015 and was nominated for 16 Tony Awards, winning 11. Hamilton He also won Pulitzer, Olivier and Grammy prizes. 

The musical retells the birth of the United States through the perspective of Alexander Hamilton, a founding father who, up until this point, was primarily known for being assassinated by Vice President Aaron Burr. Upon reading a biography of Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Lin-Manuel Miranda felt that the life of the first Secretary of the Treasury represented the odyssey of an immigrant in the United States, and began composing a musical that proudly demonstrated this connection:

“Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you’ll never see. I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song that someone will sing for me. America, great unfinished symphony, you called me. You let me make a difference, a place where even orphaned immigrants can leave their mark and rise.” Hamilton

On August 6, Hamilton will celebrate his birthday. in New York, in the same theater where, 10 years ago, he began to transform the world of musical theater.

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Sources:

• AP NEWS