It was the middle of the pandemic in 2020 when the Dallas Mavericks were looking for an opportunity to do good. (As always.) But they wanted to do something fresh, new, and maybe even a little playhouse-y.
The Mavs were familiar with Dallas CASA’s Parade of Playhouses and they were all in on supporting that mission.
A Mission For The Mavs
With the world on lockdown, they had a little downtime, so the community outreach and creative teams got to work to see what they could come up with.
Obviously, they were going to add some Mavericks to the mix, but what? They knew they had to work within the size restrictions – every playhouse is on display at NorthPark Center so it’s gotta fit through those doors – but could there possibly be a workaround? You bet your sweet jersey there was. And this incredible team came up with it.
For their first year in the Parade of Playhouses, the Dallas Mavericks created a sleek little design that looked super cool, but had a surprise inside that was even cooler.
On the exterior, it was white and blue and Mavs all over, BUT IT OPENED UP. Like folded out like a clamshell but even more so because clamshells don’t go all the way flat, but this design did.
Once it was open, it revealed a basketball court with a pop-up hoop. SAY WHAT? That’s right, they created a mini Mavs court for kids to play. Guess what’s NOT a surprise? They won for best design.
A Hideout Worth Finding
Now this year they’re back at it but how in the heck do you top that? Here’s how: You take two of your most famous faces – Champ and Mavs Man – and ask yourself, where do these superstars go when they’re not on the court?
Obviously, they head to a home base or an HQ or a Honeycomb Hideout or something. And that’s when the year’s idea started to take shape. Once they settled on Mavs HQ, they asked themselves, “Now what does it look like?”
And it’s here I’ll interject that the Mavericks and the playhouse team are amazing at everything they do. Including teaming up. They tapped into the talent at DPR Construction for a second year to bring their vision to life.
They’re reviving the cantilever design. When it’s closed up it looks like a watchtower and when you open it up, it’s a mini Mavericks locker room.
The playhouse team likes to define a space to give kids a place that’s all their own. Something that inspires imagination and play, and this one does all that and then some.
If you’d like to take home Mavs HQ, head to NorthPark Center July 9 though 25 and put your raffle ticket money to work.
All the proceeds from Parade of Playhouses go directly to Dallas CASA and if you’re not familiar with their mission, it’s an awesome one.
Dallas CASA helps children in foster care by assigning a volunteer to advocate on their behalf and they navigate the system until they’re placed in a safe, permanent home. If you’d like to become a volunteer, visit dallascasa.org.
