“ My motto is : It ’ s all about the kids . Kids are our future .”
FRAZIER BRINGS EXPERTISE , HEART TO CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Nick Frazier has experienced the
Toys for Tots program as a child and as an adult . As the operations manager at the Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for Performing Arts , he and his crew begin preparing for the district ’ s annual Toys for Tots Celebration as early as September . Frazier and his staff dedicate countless hours preparing for the event , and he ’ s proud of the work they do for children .
“ I do it because of what it does for the kids . It ’ s the best feeling ever ,” Frazier said . “ I remember that feeling because that ’ s what it was for me .”
At six months old , Frazier and his brothers , who were ages two and four at the time , were abandoned by his parents in a house . His oldest brother knocked on a neighbor ’ s door asking for milk to feed Frazier because there wasn ’ t any left in the house .
He and his brothers were placed in an orphanage , and it was there he first experienced Toys for Tots and received gifts from Marines .
At age 6 , Frazier was adopted , and he learned how to be a stagehand from his adoptive father , whom he considered his mentor . He took those skills and used them to build a storied career .
The Army veteran has worked at stadiums , arenas , theaters , event centers , and movie sets . During his first job , he worked shows for Elvis Presley , Paul McCartney , and David Bowie . He toured with Debbie Reynolds for two years and traveled to all 50 states .
Frazier has a knack for transforming major venues within a few hours , called “ pulling doubles ” in the
“ My motto is : It ’ s all about the kids . Kids are our future .”
NICK FRAZIER Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts Operations Manager industry . As the operations manager at the American Airlines Center , he transformed the arena from a hockey rink to a basketball stadium with a crew of 30 in one-and-a-half hours .
Frazier has spent the last 12 years in Mansfield ISD , and he enjoys the camaraderie among the staff at the Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for Performing Arts . He and his crew often work long hours and through the weekend with back-toback events , much like the major stadiums and arenas Frazier used to work . Though the job can be stressful , he remembers that his work could end up making a child ’ s day – like a perfectly constructed stage for graduation or a meeting room that transforms into Santa ’ s workshop for Toys for Tots .
TOP : Nick Frazier poses for a photo with Flo Torres at the district ’ s annual Convocation event held in August .
LEFT : Nick Frazier receives an award for excellence at the Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts .
“ My motto is : It ’ s all about the kids ,” Frazier said . “ Kids are our future .”
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