DAF helps McCracken Family, and their dog Trout, get back on their feet
About Tara Falk and Tim McCracken: Tara Falk is an acclaimed local actor who in 2019 appeared in the DCPA Theatre Company’s “Sweat,” and this coming April will play Mrs. Boyle in Lone Tree Arts Center’s “The Mousetrap.” Previous local roles have included Curious Theatre Company’s “Hand to God” and “Time Stands Still”; as well as Senior Housing Options’ “On Golden Pond” at the Barth Hotel. Her Broadway credits include Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses.” She is married to Tim McCracken, who is the Head of Acting for DCPA Education. He is also a professional actor, director, teacher and playwright. He has regulalrly appeared in leading roles for the DCPA Theatre Company’s seasonal stagings of “A Christmas Carol,” and, in 2017, he performed in its production of “Smart People.” Tim recently starred in the award-winning indie film “Publish or Perish,” and he won a 2017 True West Award for his performance in the Arvada Center’s “Waiting for Godot.” The couple are the parents of a 15-year-old son.
Their veterinary story: “When we rescued an abused 1-year old Pitty Mix named Trout, we knew he would be an extra investment. Our sweet boy had been through the ringer. His first year, he was severely abused and had never slept inside. His first Denver winter, he got parvo (a highly contagious disease) and was surrendered to a shelter and put into a coma. He almost died. Then, we lucked upon him. Seven years in, we have had to spend thousands – and he is worth it. He has brought so much to our lives. Last year, Trout had two surgeries (cancer removals), both of our parents had huge health crises, we had an unexpected loss of employment, and our boiler died. After a month when Trout could not walk or put weight on his back leg, he finally was diagnosed with a torn ACL and meniscus. It has all stacked up. We could not afford the emergency knee surgery that Trout needed. But without it, he would no longer be able to walk. The cost for that would be $5,031 – not counting medications. We found ourselves no longer treading water – but sinking.”
LOW FUNDING ALERT: THE NEW PAWS FUND HAS ALMOST BURNED THROUGH ITS ALLOTMENT. DONATE TODAY TO KEEP IT GOING!
How we helped: The Denver Actors Fund reimbursed the couple the maximum allowed by the PAWS Fund, or $3,000. (Note: In an effort to extend the remaining life of the PAWS Fund, the maximum payout to any family over a 12-month period has since been reduced to $2,000.)
More to the story: In 2018, Tara was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer on her face, which required treatment and reconstructive surgery. While the family chose to shoulder most of the out-of-pocket burden themselves, The Denver Actors Fund chipped in with $2,339 to help pay down their massive bills. This new gift brings our overall support to the family to $5,339. Read about Tara’s cancer journey here
‘PLEASE HELP KEEP THE PAWS FUND ALIVE AND ALLOW THEM TO EXPAND THEIR MISSION.’ – TARA FALK
A message from the McCrackens: “To some people, a few thousand is a drop in the bucket. Not to our community. To us, it is a major stabilizer. We were shocked to receive this gift from the Denver Actors Fund, as we never expected such a huge chunk of our bill to be wiped away. I cannot stress the importance of this organization. Not not just because how it has stepped up for my family but for an unimaginable number of other hard-working, passionate people who are hit with loss, complications or major medical debt. I so wish the Denver Actors Fund didn’t have to exist – but they are vital. Please help keep this fund alive and allow them to expand their mission. Any amount helps someone or a family in an unexpectedly difficult moment. Again, thank you, John Moore and every soul who works so hard to care for all of us. And PS: Trout is doing great! He took his first full post-surgery walk on Feb. 12!”
What is the PAWS Fund?: The PAWS Fund is a small, separate fund administered by the Denver Actors Fund to help qualified Colorado theater artists (both on- and off-stage) with sudden veterinary medical expenses. It launched in May 2023 with $25,000 in seed money, and we have since grown it to $56,910. But, of that, we already have distributed $49,576 to qualified applicants, which leaves the PAWS Fund a present remaining balance of just $5,334. If designated donations to the PAWS Fund continue to come in, the PAWS Fund will continue. If not, it will expire whenever the balance is gone. If you would like to help us keep it going, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund, P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212, Please write “PAWS Fund” in the memo field. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks. When you donate online, be sure to use the pull-down menu that gives you the option to specifically designate your donation to the PAWS Fund by choosing “Domestic Animal Medical.” Otherwise, as always, your donation will go to the General Fund and will be reserved for our primary mission, which is paying qualified applicants’ own (human!) medical bills.
(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.)
Read more Denver Actors Fund testimonials by clicking here
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 presents the memorial video at the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2023 Henry Awards.
The Denver Actors Fund is a source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. To date, the Fund has allocated more than $1,300,000 to more than 560 artists facing 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
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.
SHOP AMERICAN DOG: We have an exciting new partnership to share! American Dog, a USA-made company that makes dog toys, dog beds and accessories, has put together a special promotional offer to support the PAWS Fund. When you use the code DAFPAWS at checkout, 10% of your purchase will be donated to the PAWS Fund. Visit americandog.com/ to learn more! Thank you so much to Tina Anderson and our friends at American Dog!
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:
FEBRUARY 29-MARCH 2: Our friends at Littleton High School will be collecting donations after every performance of “Young Frankenstein.” This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the classic Mel Brooks movie follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (“that’s Fronkensteen!) as he attempts to create a monster – but not without comic complications. The brains behind the laughter is the mad genius himself (Brooks wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book) along with his team from “The Producers:” 199 E. Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80121
SUNDAY, MARCH 3: Ebner-Page Productions, the pair who conceived the 2017 “United in Love” concert that resulted in the largest donation to the Denver Actors Fund on our history, is back with “Love Changes Everything,” an all-new DAF benefit concert at the Aurora Fox, 9900 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010. The lineup (subject to change) will include Eugene Ebner, Jalyn Webb, Patric Case, Natalie Oliver-Atherton, Jeffrey Denman, Piper Lindsay Arpan, Leiney Rigg, Nick Rigg Johnson, Scott Hurst, Debbie Schwartz McGinley, Bob Hoppe, America Jackson, 3MoMezzos, Bobby Bennett, Monique Jacques Lester, Traci Kern Piper. Music Direction by Paul Falk. Tickets on sale at arts-people.com
MONDAY, APRIL 8: Please join us for Town Hall Arts Center’s Industry Night performance of “Raisin,” a new musical based on the classic play “A Raisin in the Sun,” starring Mary Louise Lee. 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. Join us on MONDAY, APRIL 8, at 2450 Main St. in Littleton. Tickets are only $22 (normally as much as $52). Reserve your seats at 303-794-2787 or townhallartscenter.org.
MORE UPCOMING TOWN HALL BENEFIT PERFORMANCES:
- Monday, June 3: “The Prom”
ONGOING: “Waiting for Obama,” the audio version of DAF Founder John Moore’s play that was an official selection at the 2016 New York International Fringe Festival, has been released as way of raising funds for The Denver Actors Fund. A Colorado Springs family is convinced that Barack Obama is coming for their guns in the final weeks of his presidency – and they’re right. Featuring Laurence Curry, Drew Horwitz, Chris Kendall, Leslie O’Carroll, Jenna Moll Reyes, Jessica Robblee, Luke Sorge and Mare Trevathan. It was recorded by the staff of Parker Arts at the PACE Center as an in-kind donation to The Denver Actors Fund. Listen for FREE on all major podcasting platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean. Just by listening, you will be raising revenue for The DAF! Or, WATCH the recording as a pay-per-view video for $9.95 on Broadway on Demand. ‘Waiting for Obama’ was recorded by the staff of Parker Arts at the PACE Center and edited by Ray Bailey TV as in-kind donations to The Denver Actors Fund. The actors also donated their services.
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.
