Two Local Actors Lose Everything in Terrible Fire

Hi there, I'm J.J. Johnston and I'm the Executive Artistic Director of the nonprofit Classical Theatre Company here in Houston, Texas. I just learned this morning that two vibrant, talented young actors - Jeana Magallon and Elissa Cuellar - lost all of their possessions when their apartment building burned down last night due to an electrical fire. I've had the extraordinary pleasure of working with both of these young women, and they truly are some of the most dedicated and focused actors I've ever employed. I would be heartbroken to hear anyone had suffered this type of catastrophe, but it's even harder to hear of it when it's two people who are such friendly, hard-working self-starters.

I don't need to tell you how difficult it is to make ends meet as an actor and an artist, so it is no surprise that the loss of all of their belongings has tremendously impacted their ability to fulfill their livelihoods. They basically escaped the fire with nothing more than their cat and the clothes on their backs. Their one-of-a-kind mementos and keepsakes are lost and cannot be replaced, but they are still in desperate need of basic necessities like clothing, shoes, bedding, basic furniture, a security deposit, groceries, pots and pans, eating utinsils, toiletries, cat care items, and other such day-to-day needs.

There is never a good time to suffer a devastating blow like this, but it's especially difficult during the winter and particularly cruel at the holidays. Please consider reaching down into your pocketbooks during this season of giving to try and help these young women get back on their feet as quickly as possible.