When breast cancer disrupted a family of four, the Denver Actors Fund gave space for focus and recovery
About Barret Harper: Barret is a longtime local actor who most recently appeared in the Arvada Center’s “Beauty and the Beast.” His many, many local credits have included starring in the title role of “Tarzan” at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, and he was a member of the ensemble for the Denver Center “First Date.” He has performed at BDT Stage, Town Hall Arts Center, Cherry Creek Theatre, Central City Opera, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre and more. Barret graduated fro Littleton High School and the the University of Colorado Boulder. He has been married to wife Sydney, a theater educator, since 2015, and they are the parents of two young daughters.
DONATE TODAY TO KEEP THE DENVER ACTORS FUND GOING STRONG!
Sydney’s medical story: In February, Sydney Harper was diagnosed with breast cancer at an uncommonly young age. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy, which requires a two-month recovery. “By April, we were looking seemingly insurmountable medical debt for something we never could have expected for a family with two toddlers,” Barret said.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund has (so far) paid down two of the Harpers’ significant out-of-pocket medical bills totaling $6,392.19.
‘I’M HONESTLY NOT SURE HOW I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CARE FOR MY FAMILY AND GIVE MY WIFE THE CHANCE TO GET THE TREATMENT SHE NEEDED WITHOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND.’ – BARRET HARPER
A message from Barret: “There are truly no words to describe the unique generosity and support of the Denver Actors Fund. I have always been so honored to be a part of productions that take the time to raise funds for the DAF, because I have seen what a dramatic impact the DAF has on the lives of my peers and how they shapes the arts community in Colorado. As actors, we simply cannot enrich the lives of our community through theater without the support from organizations like the Denver Actors Fund. When I am asked about what charitable organization I think most directly and efficiently serves its community, I always refer people to donate to DAF because I’ve seen its commitment to service, time and time again. Without the help of the DAF, I’m honestly not sure how I would have been able to care for my family and give my wife the chance to get the treatment she needed. I will be forever grateful for the DAF’s generosity.”
(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, 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.
