THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ACTORS FUND SUMMER 2019, VOL. 22, N0. 1 WELCOME TO THE FRIEDMAN PAVILION A New Wing at The Actors Fund Home (p. 4) 1 The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. National Headquarters 729 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10019 VIEWS: Joseph P. Benincasa 212.221.7300 Central Region 8 South Michigan Ave., Suite 601 Dear Friends, Chicago, IL 60603 312.372.0989 I think I can speak for many of us when I say that time is flying by. Milestones that seemed so far Western Region in the future are now proud achievements, and new goals have taken center stage. It’s a privilege 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90036 to share these successes with you—all while remembering to reflect on the time, work and energy 323.933.9244 that has helped us get this far. The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts We’re thrilled to mark the completion of a multi-year capital campaign project to rebuild, expand 729 Seventh Ave., 12th Floor New York, NY 10019 and preserve The Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, which was fulfilled with the 212.489.1939 ribbon-cutting of The Samuel J. and Florence T. Friedman Pavilion. This beautiful new two-story The Dorothy Ross wing houses a 20-bed memory care unit and seven assisted living beds as well as a new wellness Friedman Residence New York, NY center, arts studio, dining room, bistro and memory care garden (p. 4-5). 212.489.2020 The Palm View We’re also making great strides in growing our Looking Ahead program, which is now available West Hollywood, CA for young professional performers and their families in California as well as New York. It 323.933.9244 continues to offer support, guidance and a safe space for children and young adults to thrive The Actors Fund Home Englewood, NJ while navigating the ups and downs of an often unpredictable industry. Looking Ahead members 201.871.8882 never cease to amaze us! (p. 6-7). The Schermerhorn Brooklyn, NY Our Annual Gala in New York City was a record-breaking success, proudly raising more than 718.640.1845 $1.5 million to fund the programs and services we offer to everyone in the performing arts and Marquee 212.221.7300 ext. 176 entertainment industry. Our Tony Awards Viewing Gala in Los Angeles, now in its 23rd year, [email protected] honored Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Lily Tomlin with the coveted Julie Harris The Actors Fund 2018 Annual Report Award for Artistic Achievement. These one-night-only evenings are always so full of enthusiasm ACTORS FUND PROGRAMS: that they leave us already eager for next year’s celebrations (p. 12-13). Social Services Entertainment Assistance Program Mental Health We also finalized the acquisition of the 40-unit Palm View residence—which is an important In 2018, The Actors Fund provided Addiction and Recovery step in further developing the Hollywood Arts Collective, a new mixed-use, affordable and 137 years $1,970,360 in emergency financial assistance HIV/AIDS Initiative The Actors Fund Senior and Disabled Care market-rate housing community for people in performing arts and entertainment currently in of commitment to the for crucial needs such as preventing evictions Phyllis Newman Women’s the early development phase. The Palm View continues to provide homes to low-income people and paying for essential medications. We Values Statement Health Initiative performing arts and Financial Wellness with disabilities or who are living with HIV/AIDs in West Hollywood, CA, and consists of three helped 17,352 people nationally through The Dancers’ Resource buildings surrounded by a beautiful outdoor courtyard (p. 15). entertainment community our programs to offer social and health We recognize the contributions of HOWL Emergency Life Project services, employment and training resources, each individual, and promote trust Looking Ahead Program As we look to the future, we continue to honor the past. We launched the Performing Arts emergency financial assistance, affordable and mutual respect. Conrad Cantzen Shoe Fund Legacy Project—in partnership with The Research Center for Arts and Culture—to preserve housing opportunities and more. Funerals and Burials Union/Partner Programs and celebrate the incredible careers of so many influential members of the performing arts We collaborate and share information, Health Services community (p.16). We envision a world in which individuals skills and knowledge with each other Artists Health Insurance contributing to our country’s cultural and our community. Resource Center 85 cents of The Friedman Health Center None of this would be possible without you and your commitment to The Fund. Whether you vibrancy are supported, valued and for the Performing Arts join us at Special Performances (p. 10-11), are a member of the Edwin Forrest Society (p. 17), economically secure. Your dedication We encourage and celebrate curiosity, Entertainment Health are an In the Spotlight member every dollar is part of a grand tradition of caring for creativity and innovation. Insurance Solutions (p. 8-9) or support us in any directly supports our our entertainment and performing arts Employment And Training IN THIS ISSUE The Career Center number of impactful ways, you programs and services. community. We embrace diversity and seek equity, Career Transition For Dancers are a crucial part of The Actors The 2018 Annual Report ..................................................... 3 inclusion and dignity for all. Friedman Pavilion Ribbon Cutting .................................4–5 Affordable Housing Fund family. Thanks to your generous support, Looking Ahead Updates .................................................6–7 The Actors Fund Home The Actors Fund continues, stronger We hold ourselves and each other The Dorothy Ross Friedman In the Spotlight Members ..............................................8–9 Residence Yours in good health, Special Performances .................................................10–11 than ever, ready to execute this vision accountable for the integrity of our The Schermerhorn Special Events..............................................................12–13 and assist those who need us the most. services, to being good stewards and The Palm View The Fund Around Town ....................................................14 maintaining the trust of our clients What’s New in LA .............................................................15 For more information please To read the full Annual Report, visit and supporters. Performing Arts Legacy ....................................................16 call 800.221.7303 or visit our Joseph P. Benincasa actorsfund.org/AnnualReport2018. website at actorsfund.org. Edwin Forrest Days 2019 ..................................................17 President & CEO Get to know The Home ..............................................18–19 3 NOW OPEN: The Samuel J. & Florence T. Friedman Pavilion at The Actors Fund Home “The quality of care On April 25, we proudly celebrated the “The quality of care provided at The Actors “The expansion and modernization of The “We’re proud that our team’s work on this opposite page l-r: Robert E. Wankel, opening of The Samuel J. and Florence T. Fund Home is the kind of care we all want for Home will allow us to serve more people, project will improve the lives of hundreds Annette Bening, Philip J. Smith, Abby provided at The Actors Schroeder and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Friedman Pavilion at The Actors Fund Home our loved ones, our colleagues and ourselves,” in more ways, with continued compassion of people who have dedicated their lives Fund Home is the kind in Englewood, New Jersey. stated Fund Chairman Brian Stokes Mitchell. and excellence,” said The Fund President to performing arts and entertainment,” top: Rick Elice planting seeds in the of care we all want “All of this was made possible by 81 donors who and CEO Joseph P. Benincasa. said President of C&C Construction Memory Care Garden—named in honor of his late husband, for our loved ones, The Friedman Pavilion, made possible by a lead are recognized at The Home’s entrance. And I’m Vincent Celenza. Roger Rees. gift from The Gerald J. & Dorothy R. Friedman honored to mention The Shubert Organization, The ribbon-cutting event marked the our colleagues Foundation, is a new two-story building that led by Chairman Phil Smith and President Robert completion of a capital campaign project The Actors Fund Home is a gold standard and ourselves.” houses a 20-bed memory care unit and seven Wankel, as well as The Gerald J. and Dorothy to rebuild, expand and preserve The Actors for senior care and a recipient of both assisted living beds as well as a new wellness R. Friedman Foundation. Their generous gifts Fund Home. The new wing was designed U.S. News and World Report’s coveted center, an arts studio, a dining room, a bistro are reflected in these two beautiful pavilions that by Spiezle and built by C&C Construction. “Best Nursing Homes in America” as —Fund Chairman and The Roger Rees Memory Care Garden. bookend our Home.” well as the highest rating of five stars Brian Stokes Mitchell The memory care wing includes 16 individual “We are extremely proud of our long from the Center for Medicare and studios and two larger studios for couples, and “This dedication is a true milestone for us. We’re relationship with The Actors Fund Home Medicaid Services. was designed specifically for seniors with mild building on our history of providing vital programs and this project in particular,” said Spiezle to moderate dementia who are physically mobile and services that foster stability and resiliency Principal Architect Steve Leone. “We have For more on The Friedman Pavilion but need enhanced programming and 24-hour and serve as a safety net to everyone who works no doubt this project will be a huge success and The Actors Fund Home visit supervised care and security.