‘I’m so thankful for this amazing program that has helped so many actors in town, now including myself’
Aid recipient: Boulder High School graduate Matthew D. Peters is a busy actor, director and choreographer who most recently helmed ‘The Little Mermaid’ for BDT Stage (and played Jetsam), choreographed ‘Newsies’ for Candlelight Dinner Playhouse and performed in the ensemble of BDT Stage’s ‘A Christmas Story.’ He won the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2017 Henry Award for choreographing ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at BDT Stage, and a 2014 True West Award for directing both ‘Swing!’ at the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center and ‘Shrek the Musical’ at BDT Stage. Matthew has previously worked at the Lone Tree Arts Center, Central City Opera, Aurora Fox, Country Dinner Playhouse and Six Flags, among others.
His medical story: Back in October, Matthew was injured when a texting driver slammed into the back of his car on I-70. The incident caused him to miss or lose work over several subsequent periods, which has put a significant strain on his personal finances and ability to pay essential expenses.
How we have helped: After a detailed examination of Matthew’s lost shifts as a performer, server and backstage worker at BDT Stage; as well as at least one choreography job that he had to forfeit during his recovery, The Denver Actors Fund board unanimously voted to provide Matthew with $3,525 to help him cover essential living expenses since the collision. Targeted donations from you totaling $150 have brought the total amount of support we have made available to Matthew to $3,675.
How you can help us help Matthew more: If you would like to direct a specific donation to help give Matthew more financial breathing room, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund (with Matthew Peters’ name written 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 a targeted donation for Matthew Peters. (He will receive 100 percent of your donation.) Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund.
A message from Matthew: “I’m not sure ‘thank you’ will ever be enough to show my gratitude to The Denver Actors Fund. I’ll never forgot the moment they called and said, “We’re going to help.” I was choking back tears just to finish the phone call and process that instant feeling of weight being lifted from my shoulders, knowing everything was going to be OK. I grew up in this theatre community, performing at age 11 in Boulder Dinner Theatre’s 1991 production of ‘The King and I.’ I have been working throughout Colorado over the years, and I have seen so many actors struggling with medical bills and financial burdens. I’m so thankful for this amazing program that has helped so many actors in town, now including myself. I’ve been lucky enough to perform in several productions and participate in several events benefiting the Denver Actors Fund, which has always been important to me. I never thought I would need to use them personally but boy am I thankful that our community has them! Please donate to this AWESOME fund. We’re so lucky to have them HERE for US!”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $313,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries 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 to 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 $313,000 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
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO OUR EVENTS:
Keep an eye out on this page for a list of fun upcoming events that benefit The Denver Actors Fund
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
