Watermark raises $1,617 for the Actors’ Fund of Canada

Watermark Theatre raised $1,617 last week through audience collections and company contributions for the Actors Fund of Canada (AFC). Audience members of “Barefoot in the Park” on Aug. 23 and “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” on Aug. 24 reached into their pockets and donated to this organization that supports actors across the country. Cast, crew, administrators, and board directors at the theatre also contributed.

The AFC is the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry. Through compassionate and confidential support, the organization helps Canadian entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity and ability to work. The AFC is an expression of the community’s goodwill, helping entertainment professionals when they are at their most vulnerable due to injury, illness or other personal hardship.

In the past 24 months, the AFC has distributed over $1 million in emergency financial aid to help entertainment professionals working in all aspects of film and television, music, theatre and dance. The AFC believes by supporting the health and wellbeing of arts and entertainment professionals, the industry as a whole will benefit. In a sector in which employment can be unpredictable, it’s good to know that a caring community is looking out for their most vulnerable.

“There are many rewards to a life in the theatre in this country, one of them is not financial,” says Watermark Theatre’s artistic director Robert Tsonos. “Three members of our company, including myself, have been helped in the past by the AFC when we were in financial distress.”

Actors Jerry Getty and Ian Deakin are the other two who found themselves in a financial jam at one point in their career.

“We’re thrilled to be able to do our part to help our fellow actors and really appreciate those in the audience who contributed,” says Tsonos. To donate to the AFC go to: http://afchelps.ca

For more information, contact Andrea Surich at 902963-3963 or generalmanager@ watermarktheatre.com.