12-24-04
BY BELINDA BREMNER
Hunger sucks. Not pretty. But true. Once again this year actor David Gee is trying to do something about it. This, if it sounds familiar, was his campaign last year. Okay so this year it’s Hunger Still Sucks. And, sadly, in this stinky (and only getting stinkier for the vast majority of us who don’t run Halliburton) economy more are beset with hunger.
As we sit around the groaning board next week, laden with turkey or the tofu equivalent for our vegan pals, let’s remember just how lucky we are. If only for a moment. Then we can get back to the sniping and griping and the “you-know-of-course-why-she-got-cast” whilst we pass the cranberries and spite. But in that moment, that respite, think of those who have even less nothing. For the most part we do know where our next meal is coming from. Lots of folks don’t.
The Ravenswood Community Service and their Just Neighbors Program can put your contributions to very good use. Every penny—every penny—goes towards food. And for each $100 donated, they are able to purchase $400-$600 worth of food. Twenty bucks will feed a family of four for a week. Twenty bucks will see a week of not going to bed hungry and wondering if there will be food in the morning.
And, this isn’t just for the holidays. This agency serves families in the Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods all the year around. You can call them to find out about volunteering.
A couple of bucks in an old coat pocket, 10 dollars there, you empty the change jar, maybe you get an unexpected residual… Make it count.
Many agencies and offices to which we go every day will be participating. In the past, most agents and audition venues have taken contributions. Check to see who is helping out.
This, of course, isn’t the only place to which to contribute. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a terrific service. Consider starting a can drive at your theatre or in your office and take the bounty to them. You could even start one in your building. There’s a drive on at One East Erie, the SAG/AFTRA building. And the Betty Mitchell Fund at AFTRA/SAG is our local version of the Actors’ Fund. It takes care of members when they are in need. It’s a way of helping our own.
If you work for a theatre company, you might consider donating tickets to your shows to The Night Ministry, a not-for-profit agency that serves homeless and runaway youth, working poor adults, uninsured and underinsured people seeking medical assistance. The Open Door Shelter serves non-ward youth ages 14-21, giving them shelter. While the young people stay with them, they try to give them the gift of cultural experiences. You can contact them at 773/296-6500 x 223.
Or, you can donate to various organizations while you buy your holiday presents. Consider Womancraft at 1742 Milwaukee which is operated by Deborah’s Place. They make glorious recycled paper products and unique jewelry.
Attention all actors who have been registered with the Milwaukee agents Jennifers, Lori Lins and Arlene Wilson Talent (in Milwaukee, NOT Chicago)! All three agencies have chosen to drop their AFTRA franchises. AFTRA and SAG members may no longer be represented by these agencies since they are no longer AFTRA franchised. Members who had been listed with these formerly franchised agencies should request that their names be removed from their websites and that all your materials be returned to you.
Jane Alderman, who just recently cast Thea Emily Nelson in an upcoming “ER” episode, recommends the Actors’ Fund for your contributions. And the M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic for Children. And, look for former Chicagoan and Rasaka Theatre member Parveesh Cheena on the “ER” Christmas episode.
Claire Simon Casting landed the casting for the new pilot “Prison Break” which will be shot HERE. Wheeee, Santa came early. Shooting began just after Thanksgiving. The series will be directed by Brett Ratner who directed After Sunset, Red Dragon, Rush Hour and Family Man, to name a few films. Booked were: Alan Wilder, Chelcie Ross, Danny Mccarthey, Jay Whitiker, Nicholas Iovino, Phil Smith, Rich Comenich, Anthony Stark, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Jeff Parker, Peggy Roeder, Phil Van Lear, and Rolando Boyce. Claire is also working on the new John Singleton feature Four Brothers, which is shooting in Detroit. And “Quarter Life,” a pilot for ABC, as well as the 20th Century project “Dante.” On stage, they are casting for the national tour of Contact. Commercial projects include ABC Warehouse, Check and Go and Humana. For a May Company spot they booked Eric Anderson, Hartlet Humphries, Jade Biesboer, Danielle LeFeyre, China Grey, Peter Kazor and Nicolas Hohl. For Totes they cast Tracy Egan, Whitney Sneed, Barbara Robertson, Ed Kross, Cheryl Graeff, Heather O’Brien and Joe Dempsey. They cast Jane McCready for Prilosec and Sandra del Gato, Barrie Buchner and Julia Sobaski for Thomson Education Direct.
Tenner Paskal Rudnicke had commercial casting for Buffalo Wild Wings, Church of the Latter Day Saints, Net G, Triaminic, Michelobe Ultra, Cambride Integrated Systems, Illinois Lottery and TiVo. They worked on television shows for Warner Brothers and NBC. Bookings recently went to Caroline Todd, Malachi Smith, Isabel Conner, Scott Ruzanski, Daniel Bryant. John Ferrick, Monica Lopez, Susan Gillan, Hans Holsen, Helen Caro, Maribeth Monroe, Lois Atkins, Chuck Stubbings and Matt O’Neil.
Okay, we all know it’s a tough economy, but some folks are getting desperate. One training center now operating in Chicago is harassing former and prospective students with messages which say that if they don’t take classes with them they are either endangering their careers or else don’t care about their futures. Such jackbooted approaches don’t play here.
And, just because you’re invited to the party doesn’t mean you have to go. One canny young actress wrote me when she was contacted by e-mail by a “producer.” She tried his website which, oddly, wasn’t working. The only contact number was a cell phone. Hmmmmmm. The biggest mystery was how he had gotten her contact information. She queried him back in an e-mail asking just which agency or casting director might have supplied her name. As I have said over and over, anyone can call him or her self anything. Doesn’t mean they are that. Even a good hard frost doesn’t kill off all the scum and germs. Be careful. Flu shots aren’t the only way to protect yourself!
Be careful out there! Peace.