Author: John Moore

‘When I learned that my application was approved, I started crying from relief’ Aid recipient: Mike Martinkus, a Fort Collins native now living in Lakewood, most recently appeared in the title role of Theatre Company of Lafayette’s “Pippin, as Rich in Equinox Theatre’s “Be More Chill” and in the ensemble of Town Hall Arts Center’s… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Mike Martinkus

‘I might have had thousands of dollars worth of unnecessary and overpriced work done on my teeth’ Aid recipient: Busy actor Damon Guerrasio is currently playing Mark “Facebender” Lender in Benchmark Theatre’s regional premiere comedy “Airness,” a love letter to competitive air guitar running through February 29 in Lakewood. Other recent credits include the Arvada… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Damon Guerrasio

‘I never could have imagined the immense feeling of gratitude and relief’ Aid recipient: Thornton actor Brandon Palmer has been performing for a variety of local theatre companies since 2011, most recently appearing as Liam in Firehouse Theater Company’s “Calendar Girls.” Other recent credits include playing Little Charlie Aiken in Vintage Theatre’s “August: Osage County,”… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Brandon Palmer

‘She was with us through everything life had to throw at us.’ Aid recipient: Educator and actor Jodi Hogle was the Director of the PREP Center for Denver Public Schools and a frequent performer for Phamaly Theatre Company, whose mission is to provide performance opportunities for actors with disabilities. Jodi, who impacted several generations of… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Jodi Hogle

  Latest complication from diverticulitis lands director in hospital Financial-aid recipient: Deb Flomberg-Rollins is a founding member and co-Executive Producer of the Equinox Theatre Company, now in its 12th season. She most recently directed “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” and “Heathers: The Musical” at the Bug Theatre and next will helm “Monty Python’s Spamalot”… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Deb Flomberg-Rollins

Two insurance policies and no coverage left local actor with $2,844 dental bill Aid recipient: Longtime local actor Ryan Belinak most recently played Frid in ‘A Little Night Music’ for Cherry Creek Theatre last year. Local credits also include Tom Collins in “Rent,” Fakir in “The Secret Garden” and Tony in “West Side Story” for… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Ryan Belinak

After the onset of mysterious symptoms and two surgeries, local actor left with $6,250 in bills Aid recipient: Local actor Misha McCulloch recently appeared in the ensembles of Vintage Theatre’s “The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “The Addams Family.” Previous credits include “Honeymoon in Vegas” and “Miss Saigon” at Vintage, as well as… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Misha McCulloch

‘Without this assistance from The Denver Actors Fund, I simply would not have been able to get the work done.’ Aid recipient: Neal Dunfee has been a professional musician and teacher in the metro area for more than 30 years. He is the resident Music Director at BDT Stage and teaches piano at his studio… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Neal Dunfee

Actor discovers there’s no such thing as a cheap dental emergency Aid recipient: Lakewood native and True West Award-winning actor Jake Mendes recently starred in the Arvada Center’s “Bright Star” and in DCPA Education’s “Corduroy.” He won the 2018 Henry Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in the Aurora Fox’s “Hedwig… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Jake Mendes

  Actor doesn’t let chronic knee injury sideline her Aid recipient: Longtime local actor Mary McGroary, who recently played Fraulein Kost in “Cabaret” and Mona Kent in “Dames at Sea” for the Town Hall Arts Center, is currently appearing in “Holiday Inn” through January 19 at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Johnstown. Mary also has… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Mary McGroary

Unique DAF partnership helps another Colorado theatre artist return to dental health Aid recipient: Hannah Marie Harmon is a Colorado Springs actor who performed in “My Fair Lady” at the Midtown Arts Center in March. (She was described as “As delightful as ever,” by reviewer Tom Jones.) Before that, she sang as Sarah Brown in… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Hannah Marie Harmon

  New partnership could save Colorado theatre artists unnecessary, expensive trips to Urgent Care or emergency rooms The Denver Actors Fund today announced an important new health-care benefit for qualified members of the Colorado theatre community. The grassroots nonprofit is partnering with Hippo Health to provide on-demand, free access to emergency medical evaluations via video… Continue reading DAF announces free virtual urgent-care benefit for Colorado theatre artists

‘Within only a few hours, we had our tremendous burden lifted from us’ Aid recipients: Lisa and Michael “Big Mike” Young of Parker are longtime married performers in the local theatre community. Lisa is an actor who has recently appeared in Theatre Artibus’ “Recipe,” the Aurora Fox’s “Caroline, Or Change,” and Bitsy Stage’s “The Necromancer’s… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Lisa and Mike Young

‘I found myself faced with bills I thought would be covered by my insurance but weren’t’ Aid recipient: Littleton native Joanie Brosseau-Rubald has been performing regularly at BDT Stage for 23 years, most recently appearing in “A Christmas Story,” “Disenchanted,” “Motones vs. Jerseys” and “Mamma Mia.” Seminal roles have included playing Eva Peron in “Evita,”… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Joanie Brosseau-Rubald

‘My dad was a hard-working, loving and vibrant man who will be missed every day.’ Qualifying artist: Mark Duran of Denver was the Stage Vice President of IATSE Local 7. He worked dozens of Denver Center shows at the Buell Theatre, including having had a large hand in Denver’s pre-Broadway run of Disney’s “Frozen.” He… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Mark Duran

  ‘Not knowing what is wrong with your body is scary. Not being able to get answers is even worse.’ Aid recipient: Actor, dancer, costumer and choreographer Cole Emarine is a Fort Collins native who has worked on more than 150 productions across the Front Range, and in a variety of capacities. Most recently, he… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Cole Emarine

  ‘When I was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, I was sad, but I wasn’t going to let it bring me down.’ Aid recipient: Longmont actor Danielle Hermon Wood was nominated for a Henry Award for her performance as The Lady of the Lake in Inspire Theatre Company’s 2016 production of “Spamalot” at the PACE Center… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Danielle Hermon Wood

‘Dr. Kelly listened to my tale, heard my fear, and responded in the gentlest voice possible: ‘Let’s get you a smile you can share.’ “ Aid recipient: Properties Director Beki Pineda, who was given the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Henry Awards, has been an active member of the Colorado theatre… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Beki Pineda

  ‘I am beyond grateful for this. Truly, I cannot thank all of you enough.’ Aid recipient: Denver native Cipriano Ortega is an actor, artist, musician and educator who in the past five years has performed in two productions at Su Teatro (“Dona Rosita’s Japapeno Kitchen” and “Christmas in Colorado”), and in Curious Theatre’s 2017… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Cipriano Ortega

  ‘Thank you for helping me pay for the orthotics that allow me to live and walk and perform safely and comfortably.’ Aid recipient: Boulder actor Adam Russell Johnson next will appear in Phamaly Theatre Company’s August 2019 production of “Chicago” at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Most recently, he appeared in Phamaly’s 30th anniversary… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Adam Russell Johnson

Just after pregnant actor was ordered on bed rest, her daughter was diagnosed with cancer Aid recipient: Denver actor and soprano DaNia Mortimer is a longtime member of the local theatre community. Her credits include “Little Women,” “Annie” and “Bye Bye Birdie” at the Town Hall Arts Center and Performance Now’s “South Pacific” in 2013.… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: DaNia Mortimer