‘This is a huge comfort, and a weight off of my mind’
Aid recipient: Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry is a longtime local actor, director and sound director, mostly with Lowry’s Spotlight Theatre. He played Ed Carmichael, the chime-playing son-in-law, in Spotlight’s farewell production of “You Can’t Take It With You” last September. Before that, he was one of the three madcap comic actors in Spotlight’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” He most recently appeared in “The Odd Couple” for Parker Arts last month. He directed Rumors for Spotlight last year. Luke is from Evergreen and graduated from Conifer High School and Western State College of Gunnison.
His medical story: For 25 years, Luke has had a mild hearing loss that has gradually become more severe. His doctors have recommended that he purchase Kirkland Signature Hearing Instruments to help not only with his day-to-day, but in all aspects of his theatre work as well. The cost of the recommended aids is $1,643.18.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund board has unanimously voted to pay for Luke’s hearing aids at a cost of $1,643.18.
A message from Luke: “I honestly don’t know what to say except what seems so feeble but … thank you. Thank you to The Denver Actors Fund, thank you to the entire community and thank you to everyone else who needs to be thanked. Hearing loss is hereditary on both sides of my family, and I’ve neglected my hearing loss for far too long. As an actor, hearing loss is a frightening prospect, but it’s even more so as a sound designer. Knowing I’m going to be able to address it in the proper way instead of putting it off is a huge comfort and a weight off of my mind. It’s really inspiring to see how the community does come together when one of their own is in need. This is case in point for that. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $336,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need.
How you can help us help us replenish: If you would like to help us replenish by donating to the Denver Actors Fund, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here
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.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE to the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
The Denver Actors Fund is a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to $336,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers have offered good neighborly assistance to more than 100 beneficiaries 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 80212
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO OUR EVENTS:
Friends, we at The Denver Actors Fund believe in building community while building funds. Most of our events are performative in nature so that you have a good time while helping a good cause. Here are some of the events that are currently being planned on our behalf. Visit denveractorsfund.org anytime for an updated list.
NOW THROUGH APRIL 26: BDT Stage has undertaken a very special effort to help raise for The Denver Actors Fund. Throughout its entire run of “Motones vs. Jerseys,” Kenny Moten’s popular 1960s music battle where each night the audience decides who will reign supreme, BDT is taking collections from the audience on our behalf. Normally we ask our partnering theatres to make such a gesture just once throughout the course of a show’s run, but BDT Stage is going above and beyond by collecting on our behalf every night. So no matter what night you attend, you will be helping us. The show features the music of artists you love: Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Beach Boys, Rick James, The Platters, The Flamingos, Herman’s Hermits… to name a few. This production features Barret Harper, Will Hawkins, Brian Jackson and Jacob Villarreal as the Jerseys; and Amon Johnson, Richard Peacock, Alejandro Roldan and Tezz Yancy as the Motones. The director is Jessica Hindsley and the Emcee is Jalyn Webb. Performances daily except Mondays and Tuesdays (also no show April 21). But hurry … five upcoming performances are already sold out! 5501 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 23: If you are making your theatregoing plans, please consider attending Miners Alley Playhouse’s Industry Night performance of “Our Town.” All proceeds, including the bar, go to The Denver Actors Fund! “Our Town” is Thornton Wilder’s landmark drama that tells the story of small-town Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. We follow the Gibbs and Webb families through 12 years of life changes — from the ordinary through death, delivering universal truths about what it means to be human Jim Hunt stars as the Stage Manager with Laurence Katz as George Gibbs, Hannah Haller as Emily Webb, Rory Pierce as Doc Gibbs, Lisa DeCaro as Mrs. Gibbs and en ensemble that includes Josh Hartwell, Shauna Earp, David Jenson, Amy Arpan, Tim Fishbaugh, Dixon White, Ella Matheo, Brody Lineaweaver and Sam Charney. The director is Len Matheo. This special performance begins at 7:30 p.m.at 1224 Washington St., Golden,Get your tickets by calling 303-935-3044 or through this link.
FRIDAY, APRIL 26: OpenStage Theatre & Company of Fort Collins has designated every Final Friday of its 2019 season as a collection night for The Denver Actors Fund! If you are planning to see “Avenue Q,” circle Friday, April 26, on your calendars and say hello to the cast in the lobby as they greet audiences.We are so grateful to have OpenStage join our Tap Shoe Initiative at a time when the DAF has of late been of service to several Northern Colorado artists with varying medical needs. Thank you to OpenStage’s Kate Austin-Groen and co-founder Denise Burson Freestone, ‘Avenue Q’ Director Sydney Parks Smith and cast members Michael J. Martinkus, Debbie Swann, Dan Tschirhart, Jessica MacMaster, Bas Meindertsma, Cary Klataske, Natalie Santelli, Brian Wilcox, Sydney Johnson, Luke Stephens, Jade Tiller, and Kaya Rudolph. Support the DAF just by attending the show! ‘Avenue Q,’ winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical a laugh-out-loud musical pupet show for adults. It tells the story of a bright-eyed college grad who goes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Moving to the only place he can afford – all the way out on Avenue Q – he meets an odd assortment of offbeat friends who struggle to find jobs, dates, and an ever-elusive purpose in life. Mature audiences only due to language and sexual humor. The show begins at at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 970-484-5237 or use this link. THANK YOU FORT COLLINS!
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
