Denver Actors Fund helps former Colorado Theatre Guild president through year-long dental odyssey
About Melanie Mayner: Melanie Mayner has been a constant presence in the Colorado theater community for almost 35 years. She was publicist for numerous companies over the years, served as president of the Colorado Theatre Guild and produced several plays and musicals. She also worked with Phamaly Theatre Company for 18 years in many capacities, including production manager and later executive director. In retirement, Melanie returned to the creative side of theatermaking last year as Properties Designer for the Wheat Ridge Theater Company’s “The Woman in Black.” Melanie received a lifetime achievement award from the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards and continues to support organizations across the Front Range in various ways.
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Melanie’s medical story: Melanie has been through a very long dental odyssey that has included two emergency surgeries and two implants. But after a sudden and difficult job elimination, Melanie was left with no severance, little income and no dental insurance.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund’s partnering dentist, Dr. Brian Kelly, has directly overseen Melanie’s journey for nearly a year. He has conducted some of the work himself but, because he does not do surgeries himself, he set Melanie up with the surgical team of Nelson & Welles, which charged the Denver Actors Fund a slightly reduced rate. All work done by Dr. Kelly is his in-kind donation to the Denver Actors Fund, or about 50 percent of the street value of his treatment. The other 50 percent is paid by the DAF to Hakala Family Dentistry, which makes its facilities and staff available for Dr. Kelly to do his work. Melanie’s medical journey is not yet finished but, to date, the DAF has paid out $4,710 toward her dental care – a figure that will rise once we learn what Dr. Kelly’s in-kind donation comes to, and our matching obligation to Hakala Family Dentistry. Last year, Melanie designated her birthday as a fundraiser for the DAF, and in doing so raised $415 for our PAWS Fund. While we neither ask nor expect our recipients to pay back anything they receive from the DAF, we are grateful to report that Melanie is also now a monthly donor! Learn how you can join her at coloradogives.org/organization/DenverActorsFund
‘THE COLORADO THEATER COMMUNITY IS SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE DENVER ACTORS FUND AS A RESOURCE.’ – MELANIE MAYNER
A message from Melanie: “As a longtime supporter of the Denver Actors Fund, I never dreamed the time would come when I would need their assistance to cover a dental emergency. Yet, following a layoff during COVID and having my income cut in half, I needed help – and the DAF willingly stepped up to help me. I am humbled and so grateful to have a resource like DAF to help me and others get through challenging times. The Colorado theater community is so fortunate to have this resource, and I hope people continue to support their efforts for many years to come. Thank you to all the donors, the Denver Actors Fund, and to Dr. Brian Kelly for helping me when I didn’t have the resources to help myself.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made $1,400,000 available to Colorado theater artists.
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 testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here, or click on a recent name below:
BARRET AND SYDNEY HARPER, $6,392
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.
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.
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