The Actors’ Fund of Canada is the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund. Through its Film and Television Relief Program (www.emergencyrelief.ca), the Fund will help hundreds of film & television industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship in 2013.

CMPA President and CEO Michael Hennessy made the announcement at the CMPA’s Prime Time in Ottawa conference, saying “The assistance the Actors’ Fund provides has allowed many CMPA members to recover from what could otherwise have been career-ending setbacks. In supporting individuals in crisis situations the Fund strengthens our entire industry, keeping the workforce we depend on strong and healthy. The CMPA is committed to supporting the Actors’ Fund as it continues its important work”

The CMPA is a non-profit, national industry trade organization. The Association represents the interests of leading screen-based media companies in all regions of Canada that are engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films and interactive media content.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity that provides short-term financial aid to entertainment industry professionals working in theatre, film & TV, music and dance. The Actors’ Fund is not just for actors: performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can apply for help from the Fund which delivered over $400,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses to clients in the last year and has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada was the recipient of the 2011 Gemini Special Award for exceptional service to the Canadian television industry.

 CONTACT:

 David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca

“The Actors’ Fund has come to the aid of many of our members who faced crisis situations, providing them with the assistance they needed to return to the industry” said AFBS President and CEO Robert M. Underwood. “The work the Fund does is vitally important and we are pleased to once again offer our support to its mission.”

Actra Fraternal Benefit Society (AFBS) is a not-for-profit, Member-owned, federally incorporated insurance company operating for over 35 years. Members of AFBS are primarily members of ACTRA and the Writers Guild of Canada.

The Actors’ Fund is the lifeline of the Canadian entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film, television, theatre and dance are eligible for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which receives no government funding and relies wholly on support from individuals and industry organizations. The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out more than $4.6 million in rent payments, groceries, utilities and medical bills in the last 10 years.

Contact:

David Hope, Executive Director

Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca

Starring Robert Cushman, Melody A. Johnson , J. Kelly Nestruck, Sheila McCarthy, and Glenn Sumi as the group of friends dealing with crushes, baseball games and book reports and with Kelly Cameron, Michael Jones, Costin Manu, Stephen Patterson, Michael Rubinoff and Avery Saltzman sharing the role of Snoopy, the show featured performances from all parts of Toronto’s diverse arts community, making it a true community gathering.

Produced by Arkady Spivak Artistic Director at Talk is Free Theatre, the show was a follow-up to a 2010 production of The Producers which also starred national theatre critics and members of Canada’s entertainment industry. Both productions became much more than fundraisers, bringing the community together to see their friends and colleagues move from audience members to performers. Speaking about putting on the show, Arkady said “It was especially wonderful to discover that this city’s, and by extension this country’s, theatre community is more wondrous, imaginative and irreverent than even the legendary characters in this musical”.

Actors’ Fund of Canada Executive Director David Hope added, “We’re very grateful to Arkady for organizing this event and for the generosity of so many actors, musicians, members of the creative team and supporters from coast to coast. We need to raise over $400,000 this year to provide emergency financial aid to entertainment industry members in crisis. The funds we raised here today will be tremendously helpful as we strive to reach that goal.”

Businesses, theatres and union locals from across Canada showed their support of the event through sponsorships totaling over $20,000. Special thanks go to IATSE Local 58, IATSE Local 667 and the Toronto Centre for the Arts for their generous support.

Photos by Russ Martin, courtesy of IATSE 667

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

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Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring Toronto theatre critics and performers

The Actors’ Fund is the lifeline of the

Canadian entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film, television, theatre and dance are eligible for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which receives no government funding and relies wholly on support from individuals and industry organizations. The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out more than $4.4 million in rent payments, groceries, utilities and medical bills in the last 10 years.

CONTACT:

David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada

Phone: 1-877-399-8392

E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca

Starring Robert Cushman, Melody A. Johnson , J. Kelly Nestruck, Sheila McCarthy, and Glenn Sumi as the group of friends dealing with crushes, baseball games and book reports and with Kelly Cameron, Michael Jones, Costin Manu, Stephen Patterson, Michael Rubinoff and Avery Saltzman sharing the role of Snoopy, the show featured performances from all parts of Toronto’s diverse arts community, making it a true community gathering.

Produced by Arkady Spivak Artistic Director at Talk is Free Theatre, the show was a follow-up to a 2010 production of The Producers which also starred national theatre critics and members of Canada’s entertainment industry. Both productions became much more than fundraisers, bringing the community together to see their friends and colleagues move from audience members to performers. Speaking about putting on the show, Arkady said “It was especially wonderful to discover that this city’s, and by extension this country’s, theatre community is more wondrous, imaginative and irreverent than even the legendary characters in this musical”.

Actors’ Fund of Canada Executive Director David Hope added, “We’re very grateful to Arkady for organizing this event and for the generosity of so many actors, musicians, members of the creative team and supporters from coast to coast. We need to raise over $400,000 this year to provide emergency financial aid to entertainment industry members in crisis. The funds we raised here today will be tremendously helpful as we strive to reach that goal.”

Businesses, theatres and union locals from across Canada showed their support of the event through sponsorships totaling over $20,000. Special thanks go to IATSE Local 58, IATSE Local 667 and the Toronto Centre for the Arts for their generous support.

The Actors’ Fund is the lifeline of the Canadian entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film, television, theatre and dance are eligible for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which receives no government funding and relies wholly on support from individuals and industry organizations. The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out more than $4.4 million in rent payments, groceries, utilities and medical bills in the last 10 years.

CONTACT:

David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada

Phone: 1-877-399-8392

E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown follows an average day in the life of Charlie Brown and the little moments picked from all his days, from Valentine’s Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.

The Globe and Mail Theatre Critic J. Kelly Nestruck will play the title character, with National Post Theatre Critic Robert Cushman appearing as Schroeder and Now Theatre Critic Glenn Sumi taking on Linus. Sheila McCarthy will be playing Lucy and there will be a special surprise guest in the role of Sally. The role of Snoopy will be divided into small cameos to encourage a wider representation of the theatre company with Broadway World Kelly Cameron, Dean of the Performing Arts at Sheridan College Michael Rubinoff and Rose Theatre manager Costin Manu as agreed participants to date. More casting confirmations are expected to follow shortly.

The event will be directed by Mitchell Cushman, designed by Erika Connor, stage managed by Carolyn Mykytyshyn and produced by Arkady Spivak.

“We’re grateful for all the hard work that Arkady Spivak and Talk Is Free Theatre have put into organizing this tremendous fundraiser, as well as for everybody who has committed their time and energy to make this a great event,” says Actors’ Fund Executive Director David Hope. “The spirit of community that this fundraiser embodies is at the heart of the Actors’ Fund, the community stepping up to help its most vulnerable members during their time of need. We’re excited for this unique show that is sure to be remembered for years.”

Tickets are $30, $50 and $100 (this category qualifies for VIP seating and admission to pre-performance reception). Tickets are available through Talk Is Free Theatre box office by calling 1-888-792-1949 or website tickets.tift.ca

You can see more information about the event and find new information as it becomes available at www.actorsfund.ca/charlie-brown

Sponsorship, pledges and program advertising opportunities as well as requests for information, photographs or interviews are available by contacting Arkady Spivak at arkady@tift.ca or (705) 792-1949 ext. 22.  

Participation in the program came from both actors and members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 357 who work as stagehands, carpenters, wig and makeup personnel and drivers at the Stratford Festival. “We recognize that supporting the Fund is a team effort” said Local 357 member and payroll donor Neil Dennison. “Despite its name, the Actors’ Fund is there to support all of us working in this industry, so it is important that we in turn support it when we have the opportunity.” Actor Nigel Bennett explained his reasons for donating through payroll, saying “The life of an artist can be incredibly unstable; you move from one contract to the next, sometimes with large gaps in between. Working a long season gives you a security which allows you to give to the charities you care about on a regular basis. Payroll is the simplest way to give; you don’t notice the amounts on a weekly basis, but at the end of the season you know you have made a contribution you can be proud of.”

The Actors’ Fund is the lifeline of the Canadian entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film, television, theatre and dance are eligible for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which receives no government funding and relies wholly on support from individuals and industry organizations. The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out more than $4.6 million in rent payments, groceries, utilities and medical bills in the last 10 years.

CONTACT

David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada

Phone: 1-877-399-8392

E-mail:contact@actorsfund.ca

You can read more about Claire and other members of the band here

The event takes place at The Epic Lounge, 1355 St. Clair Avenue West (St. Clair and Lansdowne) Doors open at 7pm, with the first set of the evening beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are $15 and partial proceeds will benefit the Actors’ Fund of Canada.  For more information or to reserve tickets call 647-989-8891

You can read all about Cadre and Sweet Lips here

Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Matinee performance. Doors at 2:30, Show from 3-6pm
C’est What, 67 Front Street East (at Church)
$5 cover, plus a collection for the Actors’ Fund of Canada

For more information and to purchase tickets (available starting April 8) visit http://www.cestwhat.ca/reservations.asp

PLEASE NOTE:  There are only 50 advance tickets available online.  Once those are sold, seating is first come, first served.  Capacity is 100.

Advance tickets are now sold out! 50 tickets will still be available at the door.

On the set of Arctic Air a 50/50 draw was organized, with members of the cast and crew buying tickets at the wrap party. Half the proceeds from the draw went to the Actors’ Fund of Canada and the other half went to the draw’s winner – a great way to end a season!

Cracked used the spirit of the holiday season to hold a successful fundraising drive. A Christmas tree was put up on set and members of cast and crew who made a donation to the Fund received a paper ornament to decorate the tree with. Before the show broke for the holidays, those who donated were entered into a draw for a gingerbread house and a chocolate sleigh. The production company, White Pine Pictures then matched the proceeds from the donation drive, bringing the total to$2,460. “Raising money with the donation tree and prize draw was a fun and easy way to support a charity that matters to our industry” said Production Manager Victoria Woods. “It brought cast and crew together and was a great way to celebrate the holidays.”

The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity that provides short-term financial aid to entertainment industry professionals. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund. Through its Film and Television Relief Program (www.emergencyrelief.ca), the Fund will help hundreds of film & television industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship in 2012.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada was the recipient of the 2011 Gemini Special Award for exceptional service to the Canadian television industry.

CAST AND CREW OF CRACKED

CAST AND CREW OF ARCTIC AIR

CONTACT:

David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392

Email: contact@actorsfund.ca

Web site: www.actorsfund.ca

 “We are fortunate to work in a field where people truly care for one another” said Actors’ Fund of Canada Executive Director, David Hope. “Benefits occur throughout the year, but I am always amazed by the outpouring of support and generosity that the holidays bring. People give not only their money, but their time and energy to making these benefits successful, something that we remain continually grateful for.”

The Actors’ Fund is the lifeline of the Canadian entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film, television, theatre and dance are eligible for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which receives no government funding and relies wholly on support from individuals and industry organizations. The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out more than $4.4 million in rent payments, groceries, utilities and medical bills in the last 10 years.

CONTACT

David Hope, The Actors’ Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail:contact@actorsfund.ca