History Directors & Staff Actors Newsletter Video Intro to OMB Financials Community QUICKLINKS Photo Gallery   The Only Make Believe program debuted in October 1999 at Rusk Institute's Pediatric Unit, NYU Medical Center, as a project of The James and Dena Hammerstein Foundation. Dena Hammerstein established Only Make Believe in memory of her husband James (son of Oscar Hammerstein), his dedication to the theater, and her own passionate love for children in need. The concept of Only Make Believe developed out of Dena's desire to introduce children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to the magical world of theater. Since trips to the theater proved to be too overwhelming for many of the children, Dena decided to bring the theater to them, helping to create a unique version of live theater in which each child plays an integral part.       Only Make Believe is dedicated to the principle that freeing a child's creative spirit is a valuable part of the healing process.       We believe in make believe, the healing power of laughter, and our primary goal is to make each and every child feel special. Collaboration between actor and child is therefore the key to Only Make Believe's success. Each child takes an active part in creating a world of fantasy and fun that transcends the boundaries of the hospital walls, and as a result they are able to gain a new sense of self-esteem and joy. Combining the magic of theater with the power of a child's imagination enables them for the first time to see a world of possibilities rather than disabilities. Click here for our full list of participating sites Click here for our current events calendar To view our financials page, click here.