Natasha Mytnowych, the company’s Associate Director of Programming was keen to hold the fundraiser, saying “Canadian Stage is proud to support the Actors’ Fund with annual benefits. We recognize the difficult situations that artists face while pursuing their careers and are happy to do our part to strengthen an organization that provides an important safety net for those who would otherwise have nowhere to turn.”

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 12 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.

CONTACT:

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

The DGC BC represents the creative and logistical personnel employed in the film and television industry in British Columbia. Its members include directors, production unit managers as well as various assistant Directors and Location Departments.

“We have seen fewer productions coming across the border to shoot in recent months” said DGC BC Executive Director Crawford Hawkins. “During this period that has been challenging for many of our members, the Fund has been there – providing support to those with nowhere else to turn. We are proud to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that does so much for our members and for our industry as a whole.”

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 2012.

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

In addition to the $14,000 raised from audience collections the Citadel contributed $2,000  from the proceeds from their “Ring-free” initiative, bringing their fundraising total to $16,000.

“We’re happy to be able to raise not only money to support Canadian artists, but awareness amongst audiences about the challenges people in this industry face on a constant basis” said Citadel Executive Director, Penny Ritco. “The recent closure of the Vancouver Playhouse has really highlighted the instability that those working in Canadian theatre can face and made it clear how important it is that our community work to strengthen the safety net that the Actors’ Fund of Canada provides.”

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 $450,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses to clients in the last 12 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.

CONTACT:

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

“I am delighted to welcome Chan to the Board of Directors. Her background in arts administration, her financial skills and her obvious compassion for members of our industry who are experiencing hardship make her a perfect fit for our organization” said Actors’ Fund President, Maria Topalovich. “I look forward to working with her and I know we will all benefit from the experience and enthusiasm she brings to the Fund.”

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 $450,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses to clients in the last 12 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.

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 CONTACT:

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

Local 155 Secretary Treasurer Ken Marsden said that the decision was made “in recognition of the direct benefits that many of our members have received from the Fund.” Commenting further on the contribution he added “The Actors’ Fund is a charity that impacts and supports our members in meaningful ways when they find themselves in need. This contribution is a way for us to give back and to ensure that the Fund is able to continue its crucial work.”

Teamsters Union Local 155 represents 8 divisions of workers in BC’s film industry: drivers, security, catering, animal handlers, animal wranglers, mechanics, marine personnel and miscellaneous.

TheActors’ 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 2012.

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

-30-

CONTACT:

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

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 2012.

CMPA President and CEO Norm Bolen was happy to contribute, saying “CMPA members benefit both directly and indirectly from the work of the Actors’ Fund. A strong production industry requires many things, one of the most important being a strong work force. The assistance that the Actors’ Fund provides allows people, including our members, the opportunity to recover from setbacks that could otherwise prove devastating. A contribution to the Fund is a contribution to Canada’s entertainment community and one that we are happy to make.”

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) (formerly the Canadian Film and Television Production Association) is a non-profit, national industry trade organization. The CMPA 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 $450,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses to clients in the last year and has helped over 11,000 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

Occupation: Musician

A combination of fibromyalgia and the break-up of my family made it difficult to work and I found myself without income.  Food came first, so the bills had to wait and I fell behind financially.

Trying to get back on your feet after trauma can be difficult, especially when you are a parent with health issues. Thanks to the Actors’ Fund of Canada, not only could I feed my child, but I also kept my phone, my shelter and had money for transportation – all necessities if you want to find work.

The people at the Fund showed compassion and understanding when handling my situation and the assistance the Fund provided allowed me space to breathe and later to develop Project Let Me Be Strong, a resource for people fighting back against domestic violence.

Not only is my life on track again, but I have also been able to return to my creativity. I have released a CD and just recently signed a publishing deal to write my autobiography! I continue to create new music and abstract art and develop my children’s book series while working on Project Let Me Be Strong.  For those who work in the creative industries, the Actors’ Fund really can be a lifeline during a time of need.

Actor and comedian Rick Wharton explained that he had two reasons for putting on the evening. “A few years ago the Fund helped me out after a job fell through at the last minute, leaving me scrambling to pay my bills.  Their assistance allowed me to keep my head above water financially while I secured more work.  It made a real difference to me and ever since I have wanted to do something to raise money for the Fund so that it can continue making a difference in people’s lives.  The second reason was that Tony Rosato called me and said ‘hey, let’s do something together on stage’.  I respect and think the world of him, not to mention all of the cast….These guys are some of the finest.  There is a brotherhood here on many levels.  It is going to be a fun night.”  Wharton also promises that this is only the first in a series of shows to raise money for the Actors’ Fund.

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 $450,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments, and other basic living expenses in the last 12 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.

CONTACT:

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

Actor and comedian Rick Wharton explained that he had two reasons for putting on the evening. “A few years ago the Fund helped me out after a job fell through at the last minute, leaving me scrambling to pay my bills.  Their assistance allowed me to keep my head above water financially while I secured more work.  It made a real difference to me and ever since I have wanted to do something to raise money for the Fund so that it can continue making a difference in people’s lives.  The second reason was that Tony Rosato called me and said ‘hey, let’s do something together on stage’.  I respect and think the world of him, not to mention all of the cast….These guys are some of the finest.  There is a brotherhood here on many levels.  It is going to be a fun night.”  Wharton also promises that this is only the first in a series of shows to raise money for the Actors’ Fund.

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 $450,000 in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments, and other basic living expenses in the last 12 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.