Support the Bandstand Tour Company
Donation protected
Hi everyone!
Forty-one colleagues and I were on the road with Bandstand, the 2017 Tony-winning Broadway show, when we got twelve hour's notice that due to governmental mandates our performances would be suspended until theaters across the country reopen. This is, of course, for the health and safety of our company, our fans, and audiences around the nation.
There is no one to blame or decry in this situation -- it is a freak "act of God" type situation, but it does mean that 42 people (who have hustled incredibly hard to make it to this point) were relying on consistent pay through June and instantly no longer have income. I can only speak for myself, but I feel like I can safely assume many of us were living paycheck to paycheck and, if like me, had a very Type-A plan for where every single paycheck needed to go.
While the unemployment website keeps crashing and it is not clear yet whether or not entertainment workers will be covered in bailout packages, many of us still have rent and bills to pay that our checks over the next few weeks were covered for, or groceries to buy that we used to count on our on-the-road per diem for.
It's very hard to ask for help right now because I am safe, have a place to live, and have some access to food. But that doesn't mean this situation won't put me or any of my insanely kind, giving, talented colleagues into frightening debt... and since we don't know when we will work again or may have to start over with auditioning once the entertainment industry is back up and running, it's quite scary to think more than a few days ahead. Because then there are bills.
I've listed this fundraiser at $4,200. That's a hundred dollars for each of us who were immediately displaced and without income from the Broadway touring company of Bandstand-- sounds small, but even a grocery trip would help. If you purchased a ticket that was refunded because our tour venue was canceled, or if you love me, or love us, or have a steady paycheck right now and could help us through the next few weeks, please consider donating the cost of a ticket (~$45 - 160, depending on the venue!) or any amount of kindness you can. I would really love to reach this goal or even double it-- it will be shared equally among us who gathered each night to tell an incredible story to you all. We so hope we can do that again soon ♥
Much gratitude,
M
Forty-one colleagues and I were on the road with Bandstand, the 2017 Tony-winning Broadway show, when we got twelve hour's notice that due to governmental mandates our performances would be suspended until theaters across the country reopen. This is, of course, for the health and safety of our company, our fans, and audiences around the nation.
There is no one to blame or decry in this situation -- it is a freak "act of God" type situation, but it does mean that 42 people (who have hustled incredibly hard to make it to this point) were relying on consistent pay through June and instantly no longer have income. I can only speak for myself, but I feel like I can safely assume many of us were living paycheck to paycheck and, if like me, had a very Type-A plan for where every single paycheck needed to go.
While the unemployment website keeps crashing and it is not clear yet whether or not entertainment workers will be covered in bailout packages, many of us still have rent and bills to pay that our checks over the next few weeks were covered for, or groceries to buy that we used to count on our on-the-road per diem for.
It's very hard to ask for help right now because I am safe, have a place to live, and have some access to food. But that doesn't mean this situation won't put me or any of my insanely kind, giving, talented colleagues into frightening debt... and since we don't know when we will work again or may have to start over with auditioning once the entertainment industry is back up and running, it's quite scary to think more than a few days ahead. Because then there are bills.
I've listed this fundraiser at $4,200. That's a hundred dollars for each of us who were immediately displaced and without income from the Broadway touring company of Bandstand-- sounds small, but even a grocery trip would help. If you purchased a ticket that was refunded because our tour venue was canceled, or if you love me, or love us, or have a steady paycheck right now and could help us through the next few weeks, please consider donating the cost of a ticket (~$45 - 160, depending on the venue!) or any amount of kindness you can. I would really love to reach this goal or even double it-- it will be shared equally among us who gathered each night to tell an incredible story to you all. We so hope we can do that again soon ♥
Much gratitude,
M
Co-organizers (3)
Mel Comeau
Organizer
New York, NY
Jessie Tossey
Co-organizer
Kaitlyn Mayse
Co-organizer