Dear Actors Fund Friends,

We hope you’re safe and well. Amidst the emergence of spring and increased feelings of hope, we may also find ourselves thinking back to last year at this time and the confusion, uncertainty and pain so many were just beginning to experience. While acknowledging the suffering that has especially hit our performing arts and entertainment community, we are honored to share how much help and support we’ve been able to provide in the past 12 months.

You’re invited to watch Follow Spot: What We Accomplished Together, our 30-minute recap of how The Actors Fund has responded to the pandemic during the past year and the extraordinary impact of your support during the COVID-19 crisis. And with more than $20.5 million in financial aid already distributed, the fundraising and care for our community continues.

Join us as Actors Fund’s staff, Board members and people who have utilized our services discuss the work we have accomplished with your help. We also share our insights for the rest of the year ahead, because while there is optimism for the days to come, our community’s path of recovery is far from over and still has many obstacles to overcome. We’re stronger together, though, and we’re so grateful for your continued support and encouragement.

Reasons to Be Happy
Wednesday, March 31, 8 pm ET

YouTube

The Reading Series, a virtual benefit series, has announced their next production with Neil LaBute's Reasons to Be Happy. Directed by Alison Tanney, the live reading will reunite Andrew Kober, Jessica Vosk, Janine DiVita and Kahlil Garcia. The four cast members played their same roles in the first production in the trilogy, Reasons to Be Pretty, and will perform together once again for Reasons to Be Pretty Happy on Friday, April 30. Donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged.

Riders of the Purple Sage: The Making of a Western Opera
March 25–April 11

Eventive

Quantum Leap Productions presents Riders of the Purple Sage: The Making of a Western Opera, a documentary film that celebrates the artistry of live theater, as an online benefit to support creative professionals out of work due to the pandemic. In the award-winning documentary, opera’s hallowed traditions and America's cowboy culture converge to celebrate the collaborative power of art. The documentary details the creative process of all artists involved in live theater onstage and backstage. Zane Grey is read by Peter Coyote, with performances by shining young opera stars Karin Wolverton, Morgan Smith, Laura Wilde, Joshua Dennis, Joshua Jeremiah, Keith Phares and Kristopher Irmiter. Half of all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Actors Fund.

Emma Z.
Available Now–April 15

Facebook

Emma Z. is a hilarious short satire filmed entirely in isolation and deals with the newest of 12-step groups to emerge in the pandemic–Amazon Anonymous–and it's unexpected pitfalls.

For a donation of any amount (suggested $10) you will receive a password protected link to the film. All proceeds go to The Actors Fund so please join us in laughter and love for our community.

Directed and produced by Jeremiah Kipp and Jennifer Plotzke, Emma Z. stars Yaegel T. Welch, Jennifer Johnson, Amy Chang and Jeanine Flynn.

More Online Events:
#BWAYWORLDRECORD: Help break The Guinness World Records title for the record of largest online video album of people singing the same song.
Stars In The House: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 pm ET