2020 keeps punching special effects master in the face
Aid recipient: Todd Debreceni of Aurora is Colorado’s most experienced and awarded prosthetic makeup effects artist, with more than 40 years in the entertainment industry. He has created prosthetics and special effects for innumerable film and local stage productions, most recently Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s 2018 production of “A Christmas Carol.” Todd is the recipient of a 2017 Henry Award for his extensive body of work; a 2015 DCPA True West Award for “Shrek the Musical” and “Young Frankenstein”; and 2006 and 2009 Denver Post Ovation Awards for “The Wiz” and “Man of La Mancha,” respectively. Todd is also the author of the best-selling makeup effects book, “Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen,” now in its third edition. He is the husband of prolific local Music Director Donna Debreceni, who again volunteered her talents as Musical Director of “Miscast 2019,” the major annual fundraiser for The Denver Actors Fund. Todd performed “Agony” from “Into the Woods” with Mark Shonsey as Jacob Marley and Mark Shonsey, respectively. The event raised more than $8,600 for The DAF.
His initial medical story: Todd was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2019. In the course of his ongoing treatment, he accrued substantial bills from a variety of medical providers. While they do not account for the totality of his financial burden, Todd submitted six outstanding bills to us for consideration of reimbursement totaling $3,585.10.
How we initially helped Todd: The Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors voted in August 2019 to reimburse Todd for the full $3,585.10 in medical bills he had submitted to date, while leaving his case open for further consideration as he accrues additional medical expenses.
The next chapter: As Todd continued his treatment, his medical bills continued to accumulated. Within the next few months he had been sent 50, to be exact, ranging from physical therapy to urology checks to prescriptions. The DAF then approved $2,807.97 in additional out-of-pocket medical expenses,
And the chapter after that: In 2020, Todd was additionally diagnosed with Cold Agglutinin Disease, a rare and incurable blood disorder that is triggered by cold weather and makes your body’s immune system attack your red blood cells. And it stabbed the family in the pocket book yet again. Todd will, likely forever now undergo an annual round of chemo that so far is holding the condition off. But in the first two years, it has left him with another $4,614 in out of pocket bills – which was have paid in full. To date, including an additional $1,439 in targeted donations from the community, The Denver Actors Fund now has provided the Debrecenis with $12,496.07 in overall medical assistance.
How you can help us help more artists like Todd: If you would to help us replenish, simply mail checks in any amount made out to The Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80211. Or use this donation link.
A message from Todd: “Donna and I appreciate The Denver Actors Fund more than words can describe. I am hesitant to ask for more help when you’ve been SO generous already, but 2020 has hammered us, like so many of our peers. This round of chemo is done for now and seems to have worked, but I am likely to have periodic treatments for years to come since there is no cure yet for this blood disease. I am one of the fortunate six people in 1.2 million to have it. The support we have received from The Denver Actors Fund is incredible, and we are (again) forever grateful.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $900,000 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 their story told.
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 $677,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers have 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 ONLINE:
Go to our online giving site at: ColoradoGives.Org
DONATE BY MAIL:
Send checks made out to The Denver Actors Fund to:
P.O. Box 11182
Denver, CO 80211
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in The Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
SUPPORT THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Our friends at Town Hall Arts Center are continuing on their incredible promise to designate one performance per run with 100 percent of all proceeds from ticket and concession sales to be donated to The Denver Actors Fund. Spend your Valentine’s Night with your sweetie at one (or two or three, depending on your perspective) of the best and bloodiest Broadway love stories of all time, “Little Shop of Horrors.” Town Hall is hosting a love-themed costume contest that night. Come dressed as your favorite couple from musical theatre and you will win two complimentary tickets to any upcoming Town Hall production – and receive two complimentary drink coupons. Come at 6 p.m. for drinks, walk the red carpet and play in the photo booth. The audience will choose the winning costume. Tickets only $25. Tickets -–> 303-794-2787 or townhallartscenter.org.
- Directed by Bob Wells
- Music Direction by Donna K Debreceni
- Choreography by Kelly Kates
- Production Stage Manager: Emily McIntyre
CAST:
- Carter Edward Smith as Seymour
- Abby McInerney as Audrey
- Preston Adams as Audrey II
- Charlie Schmidt as Orin
- Jim Hitzke as Mr. Mushnik
- Anna Maria High as Crystal
- Faith Goins as Ronnette
- Rajdulari as Chiffon
- Understudy: Aaron Szindler
MUSICIANS:
- Donna K Debreceni: Piano
- Scott Alan Smith: Guitar
- Larry Ziehl: Percussion
ONGOING: “Quarantine Week by Weak” is a new photographic coffee-table book by Susannah McLeod and her wife, Chloe McLeod, who chronicled their home life during the COVID19 shutdown with a light-hearteded photo series documenting their lives during quarantine. They produced more than 35 sets of humorous photos comparing the beginning of quarantine to later in the “stay-at-home” period. Susannah pulled out her camera and we started to play,” said Chloe McLeod. As popularity for the series grew on Instagram and after a feature in Westword, the couple started exploring options to publish the series as a book to benefit The Denver Actors Fund. To order, visit http://mcleod9creative.com/shop/quarantine-week-by-weak-photo-book. This project is generously sponsored by: The Albritton Family; Natalie Bowen and Jim Corbett; Dave Dyer; Julie Dyer; and Denise Gentilini and Lynette Prisner. Additional support provided by Angie Flachman and Sandy Birkey at The Publishing House and Sandra Lee Stuart.
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.
