‘The Denver Actors Fund has had my back for eight years now,’ says Buntport’s Hannah Duggan
Who we helped: Hannah Duggan is one of the original members of Buntport Theater, an ensemble of five pals who met in the late 1990s while they were all attending Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Buntport is a nonprofit, professional theater group based in Denver that writes and produces all their own work. Each piece grows from a collaborative process, without specific directors or designers. Now in their 23rd season, the Buntport collective has created more than 50 original full-length plays and a wide assortment of complimentary programming. Duggan, the daughter of retired Denver East High School drama teacher Melody Duggan, is currently appearing in Buntport’s “Best Town,” through June 11. Hannah describes her full-time duties at the theater as “actor, writer, director, builder and janitor.”
Her medical story: The Denver Actors Fund has helped Hannah in various ways dating back to 2015, including helping her to take care of a mysterious leg cyst that had been making mobility difficult and painful. Most recently, Hannah had to address some COVID-delayed dental issues.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund has granted Hannah $1,810 to pay off her recent dental expenses. That brings our overall support to $3,588.
A message from Hannah: “The Denver Actors Fund has had my back for eight years now. As you age, health care seems to get more and more expensive. I count my blessings every day – and the DAF is a real blessing. This incredible organization is saving me from years of mounting bills and payments and headaches. When I find myself with a little extra cash, they are my first donation. To receive support from an organization that YOU support is humbling. Having medical issues is annoying. Having the BILLS from medical issues prolongs the agony of the entire thing even more. The DAF has given me freedom from the latter by easing the sticker-shock of trying to take care of yourself. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help our special, creative, ever-growing community. Love you all.”
‘This incredible organization is saving me from years of mounting bills and headaches.‘
How you can help us replenish: At The Denver Actors Fund, we love it when the money goes out as fast as it comes in, which means we are in a constant state of replenishment. That’s the gig. If you would like to help us keep up, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
If you are moved by Hannah’s story: Please consider joining us on Monday, May 5, for Buntport Theater’s Industry Night performance of “Best Town,” a new play about stars, isolation, the magic of libraries and Laura Ashley curtains. 7:30 p.m. at 717 Lipan St. Buntport will donate 50 percent of all ticket proceeds to the DAF. Reserve your tickets, which are all “name your own price,” at buntport.com
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here, or click on a recent name below:
JESSICA HINDSLEY (PAWS FUND): $3,000
BRIAN COLONNA: $1,665
PETER TRINH: $2,908
KENT SUGG, $8,413
LYNNE HASTINGS: $1,309
BRITTNI AND LAVOUR ADDISON: $13,361
The Denver Actors Fund has now made $1,150,000 available to more than 540 Colorado theater artists. 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.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
Video above: The Denver Actors Fund receives the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2016 Community Impact Award.
The Denver Actors Fund is a source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to financial relief, a team of more than 100 Denver Actors Fund volunteers offers good neighborly assistance 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
INTRODUCING THE PAWS FUND:
In May 2023, the Denver Actors Fund introduced the PAWS Fund, which is a new and separate $35,000 fund that makes some relief available to qualified Colorado theater artists to pay down their veterinary bills. Click here to read all about it.
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
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
SHOP AT KING SOOPERS
Sign up for King Soopers’ Community Rewards Program and raise money for The DAF just by shopping for your groceries – and it doesn’t cost you an extra penny. To sign up, simply go here and designate The DAF as your preferred non-profit. Each quarter, King Soopers sends us a donation based on how much our supporters have spent. Thanks to all of you who are shopping for The DAF.
DONATE YOUR CAR
The Denver Actors Fund is now registered to accept vehicle donations, thanks to a new partnership with Vehicles for Charity. You can turn your unwanted but usable vehicle into greatly appreciated funds for The Denver Actors Fund. The process is simple. The DAF will receive 80 percent of auction proceeds, and a receipt for the donation will be sent to you that can be used for tax purposes. Read all about it here.
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
MONDAY, JUNE 5: Please join us for Miners Alley Playhouse’s Industry Night performance of “The Oldest Boy.” Our friends at Miners Alley are continuing their groundbreaking, trendsetting commitment to dedicate ALL PROCEEDS from one designated performance of each run to go to the Denver Actors Fund. And on this night only, $51 tickets can be yours for only $20. Sarah Ruhl’s acclaimed play is a moving exploration of parenthood focused on an American mother and a Tibetan father who have a 3-year-old son they come to believe is the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. If you plan to see this play, please consider joining us at 7:30 p.m. on MONDAY, JUNE 5. Miners Alley Playhouse is located at 1224 Washington Ave., in Golden. Call 303-935-3044 or choose your own seats at minersalley.com. Be sure to choose June 5. The promo code for $20 tickets is DAFNIGHT.
MONDAY, JUNE 5: Please join us for Buntport Theater’s Industry Night performance of “Best Town,” a new play about stars, isolation, the magic of libraries and Laura Ashley curtains. Buntport is a collective that has created 51 original, full-length plays for the stage Seeing any of their plays is a quintessential Denver theater experience. Join us at 7:30 p.m. on MONDAY, JUNE 5, at 717 Lipan St. Buntport will donate 50 percent of all ticket proceeds to the DAF. Reserve your tickets, which are all “name your own price,” at buntport.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 11: It’s Tony Awards night! And the Denver-area Actors’ Equity Association, along with SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local, the Colorado Theatre Guild and Denver Film are hosting a viewing party on the big screen at the Sie Film Center as a benefit for The Denver Actors Fund! The night will feature drink specials, special ballots, swag, and a food truck! It;s free to get in, but donations to the DAF will be accepted to the DAF. Thank you to everyone from all FOUR of these partnering organizations! Make your free reservation here.MONDAY, JUNE 12: Please join us for Town Hall Arts Center’s Industry Night performance of “Memphis.” Our friends at Town Hall are continuing their incredible commitment 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. “Memphis,” directed by Billie McBride and Mykai Eastman, tells the dangerous love story of Huey Calhoun, a local, white radio D.J. with a passion for R&B music, and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer with music direction by Trent Hines. Join us on MONDAY, JUNE 12, at 2450 Main St. in Littleton. Tickets are only $27 (normally as much as $52). Reserve your seats at 303-794-2787 or townhallartscenter.org.
THROUGH JUNE 25: During its entire run of “Cats,” The Candlelight will be collecting once again for the Denver Actors Fund at ALL performances. Incredible! 4747 Marketplace Dr. in Johnstown. Tickets at 970-744-3747 or coloradocandlelight.com.
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.
