Nia Vardalos Lifts Picketers' Spirits with Lunch
Writer/Actress/Producer Nia Vardalos has been buying lunch for picketers once a week at all gates of various studios. On Tuesday she provided hot pizza for all gates at Paramount with help from WGA board member Kathy Kiernan. Anyone who would like to join Nia in buying lunch for a picket line can email Marianne at mariannetitiriga [at symbol] aol [dot] com. A donation of $140 to $160 will cover enough burgers/pizzas/subs to feed the hungry front lines. Be sure to designate a studio when you email. Nia will handle delivery and provide donors with receipts. Thanks!
Laugh Factory Benefit: Time Change for This Week
Jamie Masada's Laugh Factory hosts a weekly show on Wednesdays to benefit the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund. Minimum donation of $20.00 collected at the door.
Tonight's benefit (1/16) will start at 9:30 pm instead of the usual 10pm.
Jamie tells UH there will be national press coverage and a stellar lineup, including Jeff Garlin, Dane Cook, Paul Rodriguez and, tentatively, Dennis Miller.
8001 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
(323) 656-1336
www.laughfactory.com
Bang Comedy Theater Fundraiser
On January 24th, Bang Comedy Theater presents a special, all-WGA cast of the written essay show PINATA. Half the door with go to the Industry Support Fund.
Readers will include Brent Forrester (The Office), Christy Stratton Mann (King of the Hill), Shawn Schepps (Weeds), Peter Murrieta (Wizards of Waverly Place), Laura House (George Lopez) and a special essay from Larry Gelbart (No need for parentheses). The show always ends with free candy.
Thursday, January 24th, 8PM
Bang Comedy Theater
457 North Fairfax (btw. Beverly and Melrose)
Reservations and info at 323-653-6886
UPDATE: "There Will Be Comedy" Benefit in NYC -- SOLD OUT
Tickets have already sold out for this show benefitting the Industry Support Fund. Ars Nova and the writers and staff of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart will present a night of stand-up, sketch and film to benefit staffers affected by the WGA strike. Performers include The Daily Show's Rory Albanese, Hallie Haglund, JR Havlan, Elliott Kalan, Rob Kutner, Adam Lowitt, Sam Means and John Oliver.
Tuesday, 1/22. 9pm
Ars Nova Theater
511 West 54th Street (btwn 10th & 11th Aves.)
New York, NY 10019
Where to Seek Help
Besides the Industry Support Fund, a good place to seek financial assistance is The Actors Fund.
For financial emergencies, call 212-221-7300 x 119 for Lucy Seligson, intake director at the NYC office. She can be reached by email at lseligson [at] actorsfund [dot] org. A more general backup email is intakeny [at] actorsfund [dot] org.
The Actors Fund helps anyone who works in the entertainment industry. Its staff are knowledgeable about the many assistance programs available. They also offer mental health counseling and career counseling to name but two other programs.
Other office contacts are:
Chicago office
312.372.0989
Don Towne dtowne [at] actorsfund [dot] org
Los Angeles office
323.933.9244 ext. 55
intakela [at] actorsfund [dot] org
Keith McNutt, the Director of the LA office: 323.933.9244 ext. 14
[Major thanks to S.E. Olson for compiling info!]
1/15/2008
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1 comment:
Thank you thank you thank you for posting this info.
I sent Marianne a note about a donation toward lunch. I also will call the ISF and the Actors Fund to make another donation to help support the people who patiently answered all my questions when I called their production offices.
I gotta take care of my people. Cause they took care of my shows before the strike.
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