Financial-aid recipient: Daniel Perkins, known in your theatre programs as DP Perkins, came to Colorado in 1980 to do a show at the Heritage Square Opera House, and stayed. He was part of a brigade that piled into a car and drove to Golden after the Goldenrod Showboat in St. Louis closed. The group included Alex Crawford, A.K. Klimpke and Brian Norber, all of whom went on to legendary comic careers here. Perkins quickly became a year-round performer at would come to be known as the Heritage Square Music Hall. In more recent years, Daniel played Klimpke’s father, Clem, in BDT Stage’s The Will Rogers Follies; he helped choreograph Ignite Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line; and he played the genial laugh-peddlar Wilbur in the Arvada Center’s Hairspray.
His original medical story: Last year, Daniel had a seizure that broke his back, requiring a total left shoulder and right humerus replacement. He had a more recent seizure in May, resulting in many tests and hospital stays. He is now on expensive medications, and the bills continue to come in.
How helped then: Daniel has only applied for specific relief from just two of his (post-insurance) bills: One is for $340 from a Denver hospital; the other is $285 for an ambulance ride. The Denver Actors Fund paid both of those bills for a total of $625. Targeted donations from the public brought the amount raised for Daniel Perkins to $775.
What’s happening now: Daniel, who has no dental insurance, recently found himself in need of emergency dental care for advanced gum disease. Through our unique ongoing partnership with Thornton dentist (and former Broadway dancer) Brian Kelly, the Denver Actors Fund can refer a limited number of emergency dental cases to Kelly, who takes them on as his own personal in-kind donation to the DAF. Kelly’s goal is to transition every referred patient from gum disease to health, no matter how long it takes.
What has that involved? Dr. Kelly’s treatment plan for Daniel called for an extraction, four crowns and a new bridge. The itemized total value of Perkins’ treatment plan came to $10,787. But all Kelly has asked the Denver Actors Fund to compensate is just $765 for the reimbursement of outside lab services billed to him by Garden Center Dental Arts. (Which we have paid.) That makes Kelly’s in-kind contribution to the DAF in this case to $10,012. And that brings the total valuation of Kelly’s service to the Denver Actors Fund in just the past two years to be $40,976 for his help with 11 emergency patients from the Colorado theatre community. (And he already is working on Nos. 12 and 13).
How you can help us help Daniel Perkins more: This gift is a great relief to Daniel, who is on a limited income and still faces ongoing financial challenges related to his ongoing medical odyssey. If you would like to direct a specific, additional donation to give Daniel some breathing room moving forward, simply mail checks made out to The Denver Actors Fund (with Daniel’s name in the topic field) to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO, 80212. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is targeted for Daniel Perkins. Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund.
Daniel’s original message to DAF supporters: “In the years since I came to Denver in 1980, I have been fortunate to be a part of the amazing, creative, talented and, most important, kind Colorado theatre family. The Denver Actors Fund has helped me and so many others, it exemplifies what makes this community so special. I can never fully express my full gratitude.”
And here’s what Daniel has to say now: “If not for Dr. Kelly, I would not have been able to pay for treatment. I would have no other choice but to continue to suffer. Dr. Kelly has been a miracle in my life, and in so many others’. He doesn’t do what he does to become rich. He does it because he truly enjoys helping people. And he does it without making you feel indebted to him.”
Read more Denver Actors Fund testimonials by clicking here
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
The Denver Actors Fund is a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to $277,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers has offered good neighborly assistance to more than 100 beneficiaries including meal prep and delivery, child care, transportation, errands, construction, pet-sitting and more. For more information, visit our web site at DenverActorsFund.Org.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AID:
To apply for Denver Actors Fund aid: Fill out this brief online form here
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
DONATE BY MAIL:
Send checks made out to the Denver Actors Fund to:
P.O. Box 11182
Denver, CO 80212
ATTEND UPCOMING DENVER ACTORS FUND EVENTS:
Monday, Sept. 17: “Miscast 2018”
“Miscast” is the Denver Actors Fund’s major annual fundraiser, produced by Robert Michael Sanders as his in-kind donation to the fund. “Miscast” is an opportunity for local performers to sing songs and act out scenes they would never … ever! … get cast to perform on any legit stage. Think gender-bending, race-bending and age-bending. Odd couples and mixed groups. Wrong is oh so right. “Miscast” has evolved over the years into one of the biggest nights of the year in the Colorado theatre community – and it is a really good show. “Miscast 2018” will be held Sept. 17 at a new location: The Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. The event begins with drinks at 6 and program at 7. TICKET ON SALE NOW. All seats just $20. No fees if you purchase by phone at 303-316-6360. (Leave a message if unattended.) .
(Note: “Miscast” is a registered trademark of MCC Theater and is used with permission.)
Video bonus: A look back at “Miscast 2017”:
Miners Alley Playhouse, Monday, Sept. 24: Miners Alley Playhouse’ has designated the Monday, Sept. 24 performance of Lungs as a fundraiser for The Denver Actors Fund. Lungs a follows a couple through the surprising lifespan of their relationship as they grapple with questions of family, change, hope, betrayal, happenstance and the kind of pain you can only cause someone you love. Featuring the husband-and-wife acting team of Adrian Egolf and Luke Sorge. Written by Duncan Macmillan. 7:30 p.m. at 1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com
BDT Stage, Monday, Oct. 8: BDT Stage has designated The Denver Actors Fund as one of three beneficiaries from an important, 20th anniversary reading of The Laramie Project, featuring top actors such as Sam Gregory, Nick Sugar and Tim Howard, and cameos including TV personalities Greg Moody, Chris Parente and Eden Lane. 6:15 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 5501 Arapahoe Ave., in Boulder, 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com
Aurora Fox, Monday, Oct. 29: The Aurora Fox and an all-star cast will present the hair-raising rock opera “Killer Wigs from Outer Space” with proceeds benefiting the Denver Actor’s Fund. “Killer Wigs From Outer Space,” set in 1985, tells the story of a down-on-his-luck carnival worker named Orville who falls prey to a brain-eating parasite from outer space — with fabulous hair. This powerful alien transforms Orville into O, a rock star who becomes a prophet for peace and beauty. O must tackle true evil when confronted by a terrifying media tyrant who is poised to take over the world. Attendees are encouraged to B.Y.O.W. (Bring Your Own Wig) for the “Wig Out” dance party after the show! Music and Lyrics by David Nehls, with additional Lyrics by Zac Miller. Tickets $25. 7:30 p.m. 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or aurorafoxartscenter.org
VISIT OUR ONLINE MERCH STORE:
Click here to see how you can buy DAF products such as T-shirts, key chains, puzzles and much more
