Of all the fears that come with a potential cancer journey, the Denver Actors Fund made sure paying the medical bills would not be one for actor Candace Joice
About Candace Joice: Candace is an actor, director and audiobook narrator. She has worked locally with Curious Theatre, BETC, Miners Alley, The Catamounts, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, The Arvada Center, Benchmark Theatre and the Front Range Chamber Players. This year, she directed “Good People” for UpstART Theatre in Ouray and was the assistant director for “Hamlet” at the Denver Center and “Misery” at Miners Alley Playhouse.
Candace’s medical story (in her words): “This year, the reality of the pervasiveness of breast cancer hit home. I’m fortunate in that we caught the problem early and I needed only surgery to get it taken care of, but it was an emotionally and physically taxing journey that spanned many months of 2024. MRIs and biopsies and surgery – that ain’t cheap. The Denver Actors Fund took away that huge financial burden so I could focus my energy into my health. What a beautiful gift! On top of that, my senior dog Smokie spent a lot of time at the vet this summer, and the DAF helped me with her bills, too.”
‘THE DENVER ACTORS FUND TOOK AWAY THAT HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN SO I COULD FOCUS MY ENERGY INTO MY HEALTH.’
A message from Candace: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the DAF rescued me this year. I’m deeply grateful for the loving community of donors, volunteers and board members who give so generously to support local artists.”
How you can help us help us help more Colorado theater artists: If you would like to make a donation to help The Denver Actors Fund replenish, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80211. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here, or click on a recent name below:
The Denver Actors Fund has now made $1,530,000 available to Colorado theatre artists.
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 $1.53 million to more than 600 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:
SOLD OUT!!! TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26: Please join us for Miners Alley Playhouse’s preview performance of “A Christmas Carol,” with a discounted ticket of $25 – and all proceeds going to The Denver Actors Fund! (Regular performances will run $35-$54!) This Golden tradition is a zany take on Dickens’ tale of holiday redemption, adapted for the stage by Josh Hartwell. In this iteration, a handful of actors bring dozens of characters to life in a fast-paced telling that will get your whole family in the seasonal spirit. (Although, we are promised: “This year’s version promises to be funnier, spookier and crazier than ever!”) Again starring Jim Hunt with Hartwell, Lisa DeCaro, Jason Maxwell, Meredith Young and Koi Matheo. Since 2014, MAP has generated more than $67,000 in donations to The Denver Actors Fund through evenings just like this one. Thank you to all involved, including Len Matheo, Lisa DeCaro, Jonathan Scott-Mckean, cast, crew, creatives and staff. We love you, Miners Alley Playhouse! If you plan to go see this great show, please consider joining us at 7:30 p.m. on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26. Call 303-935-3044 or choose your own seats at https://minersalley.com/event-list. The (new!) Miners Alley Playhouse is located at 1100 Miners Alley in Golden.
NOVEMBER 30 AND DECEMBER 7: At both performances Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, the Arvada Center will again conduct audience lobby collections for the Denver Actors Fund following the evening performances of “Once Upon a Mattress.” This uproarious musical update of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Princess and the Pea” sets an unapologetic free spirit loose in a repressed kingdom, reveling in Winnifred’s ability to charm and transform with willpower, honesty and a little bit of help from her friends. “Once Upon a Mattress” is directed by DAF Board of Directors co-Chair Kenny Moten. Please plan to attend either the 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. performances on Saturday, Nov. 30, or Dec. 7 and remember to throw some extra change int he bucket on your way out. Thank you to Kenny, Artistic Director Lynne Collins, CEO Philip Sneed, Arvada Center reps Sarah Kolb and Leslie Simon, and the entire cast, crew and staff and volunteers for your support in this important effort! You are already making us feel “Happily ever after!” 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard. Tickets at https://arvadacenter.org/events/once-upon-a-mattress. Please remember to choose Nov. 30 or Dec. 7!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9: Our great friends at Firehouse Theater Company have designated their Industry Night performance of “Little Women” as a benefit, with 100 percent of all proceeds donated to the Denver Actors Fund! This fast-paced Kate Hamill adaptation of the beloved Louisa May Alcott novel tells the story of Jo March with a new spin. Jo doesn’t want to be like other girls. She is ambitious, rough around the edges, headstrong and yearns for a future she can’t yet articulate. How do you stay true to yourself when the world wants you to become a perfect little woman? Directed by Kate Poling .Thank you to all involved, including cast, crew, creatives, staff and Producing Artistic Director Helen Hand for your steadfast commitment to helping the DAF help Colorado theater artists! Please join us at 7:30 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 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 https://firehousetheatercompany.ticketspice.com/little-women
MONDAY, DEC. 16: Please join us for Town Hall Arts Center’s Industry Night performance of “Meredith Willson’s “Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical.” 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, DEC. 16 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.
MONDAY, DEC. 16: Please join us for Vintage Theatre’s Industry Night performance of “Black Nativity,” with 50 percent of all proceeds donated to The Denver Actors Fund! Please join us at 7:30 p.m. on MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 in the Nickelson Auditorium, 1468 Dayton St. And if you can’t join us on DAF Night, please support the companies that support us whenever you can. Tickets at vintagetheatre.org.
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.
