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Media Release
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Theatre to donate $5 to Fund for every cell phone-free performance
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For Immediate Release: November 19, 2009
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TORONTO - Tarragon Theatre today announced the launch of "Show, Don't Cell!", a campaign to encourage theatre patrons to turn off their cell phones during performances. Beginning with the November 11 opening night performance of Rocking the Cradle, an announcement will be made prior to every show that Tarragon will donate $5 to the Actors' Fund of Canada for every cell phone-free performance. If every show in the season is presented without a disruption the total donation could be as high as $1,100.
The idea of raising money for the Fund while minimizing cell phone disruptions began last year with Manitoba Theatre Centre launching its "Good Vibrations" campaign.
Tarragon Theatre has long been a supporter of the Fund, having held multiple benefits in the past and having committed to making opening night donations to the Fund in honour of the company of each of its shows this season. Commenting on the campaign, Tarragon General Manager Camilla Holland said: "Ringing cell phones have always been a problem, distracting the cast and annoying audience members. When we heard that Manitoba Theatre Centre was having great results using positive reinforcement we were excited to have found another way to support this important organization. This is a difficult industry that promises little security, even for the most accomplished actors. Faced with a lack of work many become disheartened and lose hope. The Actors' Fund can restore dignity to these people - people who should be seen as a source of national pride."
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, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $600,000 in 2008. The Fund has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship since it was founded in 1958.
The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out over $3.7 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses in the last 10 years. Performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can benefit from the Fund, which receives no major government funding and is sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations.
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CONTACT:
David Hope, The Actors' Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca
Web site: www.actorsfund.ca
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©2010 The Actors' Fund of Canada - 1000 Yonge Street, Suite 301 Toronto, ON M4W 2K2
contact@actorsfund.ca / Tel: 416.975.0304 / Toll-Free: 1.877.399.8392 / Fax: 416.975.0306
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