For this young vocalist, a cancer diagnosis was scary enough. The Denver Actors Fund made sure the bills were not another fright.
About Nathan Snyder: A Colorado native and University of Northern Colorado alumnus, Nathan Snyder is well-known on opera and classical concert stages. He also crosses over into musical theater, most recently playing Tommy Albright in Loveland Opera Theatre’s “Brigadoon.” He previously perfromed there in “No No Nannette” (concert version) and in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Jubilee.” He received his master’s in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Opera from UNC after graduating from Bethel College in North Newton Kansas, where he met his wife, Valerie.
His medical story: Nathan had a thyroid scare that necessitated a biopsy, radiation and surgery, to a happy end: No sign of further cancer, and everything is healing well. Throughout the ordeal, however, the bills continued to trickle in like the longest-held note in opera history.
DONATE TODAY TO KEEP THE DENVER ACTORS FUND GOING!
How we helped: When all was said and done, the Denver Actors Fund board paid down Nathan’s out-of-pocket medical bills by $4,784.38.
‘DEALING WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS IS HARD ENOUGH ON ITS OWN, BUT NOT KNOWING HOW I WOULD PAY THE CONSTANT MEDICAL BILLS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING.’ – NATHAN SNYDER
A message from Nathan Snyder: “I first noticed a growth in my throat during a production of ‘Brigadoon’ in 2022. Like many people with no insurance, I decided to ignore this issue, as I knew I would not be able to afford treatment. I was then informed by a friend that performing in a full-fledged musical theater production at the Loveland Opera Theatre made me eligible for help from the Denver Actors Fund. I requested help for my first ultrasound, expecting that if the DAF was able to help, it would probably be a one-time thing. Thankfully, I was wrong! The DAF was with me through constant nebulous test results, which eventually led to surgery and a thyroid cancer diagnosis. That is a terrifying diagnosis for a singer, as the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which runs through the thyroid and controls the voice, can easily be damaged during the surgery. Doctors removed the nodule, along with a small portion of my thyroid. Since then, there have been no further signs of cancer, and I am singing again! Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is hard enough on its own, but combining that with not knowing how I would be able to pay the constant medical bills would have been devastating. The Denver Actors Fund was such a blessing to my wife and me, and I am so grateful and glad that this organization continues to help the theater community in Colorado.”
(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 $1.4 million to more than 590 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:
MONDAY, JUNE 3: Please join us for Town Hall Arts Center’s Industry Night performance of “The Prom.” That’s a new musical that follows four Broadway actors lamenting their days of fame as they travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to high-school prom. 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, JUNE 3 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.
PLAN YOUR UPCOMING DAF NIGHTS AT THE TOWN HALL ARTS CENTER!
- Monday, Sept. 30: “Jersey Boys”
- Monday, Dec. 16: Meredith Willson’s “Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical”
- Monday January 27, 2025: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
- Monday April 7, 2025: “Once: The Musical”
- Monday, June 9, 2025: “On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan”
MONDAY, JUNE 10: Please join us for Vintage Theatre’s Industry Night performance of “The Hombres,” with 50 percent of all proceeds donated to The Denver Actors Fund! This new play, written by Tony Meneses (“Guadalupe in the Guest House”) and directed by Dana Hart Wright is a fresh and nuanced look at the complexity and intimacy of male friendship .The story follows Julián, a gay Latino yoga teacher, as he clashes with the straight, macho Latino construction workers outside his studio — particularly the older head of the crew, Héctor, who seeks from Julián something he never expected. Featuring Brandon Billings, Conrad Mata and Michael Gurshtein. Tickets at vintagetheatre.org.
PLAN YOUR UPCOMING DAF NIGHTS AT VINTAGE THEATRE!
- Sept. 16: “Della Doucet”
- Sept. 30: “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express”
- Oct. 21: “Murder For Two”
- Dec. 16: “Black Nativity”
- Jan. 13, 2025: “Sisters of Swing”
- Feb. 3, 2025: “She Kills Monsters”
- March 3, 2025: “Guys & Dolls”
- March 31, 2025: “Grand Horizons”
SUNDAY, JUNE 16: It’s Tony Awards night! And, once again, our friends at 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 (2510 E. Colfax Ave.) as a benefit for The Denver Actors Fund! The night will feature drink specials, swag and a food truck! It’s free to get in, but donations to the DAF will be accepted to the DAF. And all proceeds from a special ballot contest will benefit DAF as well. Thank you to Abner Genese and everyone from all FOUR of these partnering organizations! Make your free reservations here.
MONDAY, JULY 8: Our wonderful friends at Firehouse Theater Company have designated their Industry Night performance of “Othello 2024” as a benefit for the Denver Actors Fund. Misinformation. PTSD. Betrayal. Deep fakes. A play written 420 years ago is as relevant as ever. This version, adapted by Greg Sherman and Gregory Wolfe, features Kelly Uhlenhopp as the wicked Iago, and her director is her husband, Andrew. Please join us at 7:30 p.m. MONDAY, JULY 8 at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230. Tickets are only $15 (normally $27) on this night only. Order yours or get more information at firehousetheatercompany.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11: Give 5 Productions has designated its Industry Night of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ as Denver Actors Fund Night. Use code DAF10 for 10 percent off tickets, and 10 percent of each ticket sold with this code will be donated to the DAF. (Psst: This code is good for all performances). “Hedwig” is an immersive, iconic, queer Broadway rock musical that runs Aug. 1-17, at Herman’s Hideaway, 1578 S. Broadway. One-hour variety pre-show with Jessica L’Whor, circus and burlesque acts. Nightly costume contest with prizes. Theme: ’80s rock glam with East Berlin vibes. (Costumes not required for entry.) Tiockets at eventbrite.com.
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.
