The Story
In a Nutshell
KKAR Helen, a public radio station in Eastern Arkansas that's under the scrutiny of a conservative college board, is treading water. But its technical problems, ethical dilemmas, cranky listeners and transgender, trans-generational flare ups shrink in the shadow of what's really important ... the twice yearly pledge drive.
A Delicious Enemy
Ava Sanchez is the first Latina to ever manage a public radio station. Her focus should be on getting it over a crucial, $45,000 pledge drive finish line. But her attention is diverted when she's forced to lock horns with state senator Mae Rae Thibodeaux. Mae, a Southern Bell with a touch of ruthlessness, has designs on the station that don't include its POC oriented programming or staff.
Taking her Earrings Off
As one of those "People of Color", Ava's career has been dogged by the "faint praise of low expectations." In PLEDGE The Musical, she knows all eyes are on her as she prepares for the fight of her life. How will she meet this most formidable of threats, save her staff and protect the legacy of her beloved KKAR?
BTW, many of the situations described or portrayed have actually happened at a public radio station and are referenced in PLEDGE: The Public Radio Fund Drive. Such is the state of public radio today.
Our Offerings
As we move through the process of creation, we share that progress with you.
Newsletter
Newsletters are surprisingly popular since they connect readers with updates from creators. Our newsletter will keep you informed of twists and turns in the world of public radio as well creative processes in our own. Here, we'll be a little more personal and share our fears as well as our joys.
Website
The website is the welcome mat to all things PLEDGE. Want to give to the cause? Skip on over to the GoFundMe. Want to know what the heck we're doing and how? Check our social media. Need to keep up on industry angst or our own thought processes? Visit the newsletter. It's all here.
GoFundMe
Give a little or a lot but, to coin a common plea from pledge drives, "Every dollar you give is important, so please give." Your help will get our show onstage, put marvelous actors to work and tell the often hidden story of public radio.
Social Media
Whether it's Melody and I on Zoom working through a problem, a YouTube promo of our latest step, a Tweet storm over a juicy post, an Instagram pic that went viral or a Facebook ad that's getting lots of looks, follow us somewhere.
Book & Music
Don Merrill
Writer
Don Merrill has been a journalist and reporter for the American Forces Korea Network, the Combat Pictorial Detachment at the Pentagon and Southern European Broadcasting. After leaving the service and attaining a degree, he worked as a public affairs specialist for the Department of Interior. In 2019, he self published, PLEDGE: The Public Radio Fund Drive, which morphed into an audiobook, an ebook and a play. That script (called the "book") is the basis of what will be the musical. He and Melody have spent many hours piecing together lyrics for songs that they hope audiences will find both playful and thoughtful.
Melody Bell
Composer
Award-winning singer-songwriter, Melody Bell also teaches workshops and classes wherever she goes, at colleges, and as a vocal coach in her private studio in Oregon. She jokes about being a known Disney princess as she was born with a rare medical condition known as Sleeping Beauty Disorder, but has always used music to get through the tough times since she was a child. For Melody's first musical theater production, she has teamed up with author Don Merril, and composed the music for the upcoming musical, PLEDGE. No spoilers, but she says you can expect some quirky jazz mixed up with some culture and surprises.
Stay Connected
Whether you want to support PLEDGE financially, or just get up to date, we're as close as your phone. And please visit our other websites too.
Melody Anne Bell website
Don Merrill website
KKAR website