As entertainment industry crew members continue to struggle to make ends meet during the ongoing strike, we extend a heartfelt thank you to two very special organizations who played their part last week to help us take care of our own – and deliver some much-needed laughter for a good cause. On Wednesday, October 25, TUSC (The Union Solidary Coalition) presented the Give Back-ular Spectacular!, an all-star live evening of music and comedy at The Orpheum Theatre. Our gratitude goes out to producers Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane, Robbie Rowe Tollin, Jesse Schiller, Paul Scheer, Tony Phelan, Tara Miele and Kate Wagener, to the talent who gave generously of their time, and to everyone at TUSC, which was founded by a group of writer-directors moved to support their crews affected by this year’s strikes. Read more about them here. >
Then the following evening on October 26, The Groundlings used their legendary improv skills to help crew members with their fundraiser One Night Only, a fully-realized (and creatively unhinged) production of A Chorus Line, where the improvisors were given the script and their roles with only 24 hours to prepare. Thank you to The Groundlings for this talent-packed event created, produced, and directed by Andrew Leeds, which took place at the new Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Vista Del Mar. Read more here >
MPTF has fielded over 10,000 calls and distributed over $5M this year, and the needs will continue long after a strike resolution has been reached. If you are able, please support your Hollywood crews with a donation here >
