YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE Benefit honors teen

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Taylor Veisz, to those who knew her best, was full of energy and enjoyed spending her spare time reading, writing and bringing characters to life on stage.
That all ended when the 19-year-old woman was killed by a drunken driver on Salt Springs Road in May.
Now the teen will be honored with a benefit concert, "Holiday Memories -- A Musical Tribute to Taylor Veisz," by members of the Youngstown Playhouse Youth Board.
The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the playhouse.
All proceeds go toward the Taylor L. Veisz Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to graduating students who once performed at the playhouse.
Reaction: Veisz's mother, Sharon Jackson, said her daughter would have appreciated the effort by her friends and fellow performers.
"This benefit would have left her feeling so touched and surprised that so many people cared so much for her. I don't think in life she realized that," said Jackson. "She was a very talented girl, real spunky personality; it's hard to think of her without smiling."
Veisz performed in several plays at the playhouse and was a member of the Playhouse Youth Theater and youth board from 1996 through 1998.
The benefit performance will include a mixture of Christmas songs, poetry and dance.
Lasting tribute: "After the funeral, the youth board was thinking of things we could do, and at first we were going to give some type of award, but decided to set up a scholarship fund instead of just giving out some trophy," said show coordinator Starr E. McClure.
"This will be a lot more meaningful."
In addition to members of the youth theater group, many of Veisz's friends will participate.
One close friend will perform an original song written in memory of Veisz. Original poetry written by Veisz will also be read.
McClure said the number of scholarships and the amounts will be determined by how much is generated by the benefit. She said youth board members are hoping to make the benefit and scholarships an annual event.
CD to come: The youth board is also in the process of recording a Christmas CD with the proceeds going toward the scholarship fund.
According to Jackson, Veisz wanted to be a film director and had already selected a name for her future company -- Taylor Made Productions.
The man charged with aggravated vehicular homicide in her death is awaiting trial.
jgoodwin@vindy.com