Leaving No Community Member Behind in the Wake of the Pandemic

 
Actor Lauren Zakrin opened her heart on social media, laying bare the vulnerability and realities of the current moment for many in the theater community.

“People are returning to their precious, deeply missed jobs,” Zakrin wrote in a post on Instagram. “This joyous return is so deserved. I am cheering you on, celebrating you through it all. Simultaneously, I have been bulldozed by a tidal wave of grief that I am not one of those people right now.”

For countless more, the stress and mental weight of the pandemic, the isolation and separation from loved ones, and 20 months or more without work has created a mental health crisis. One that The Actors Fund is well-positioned to help address with its team of social workers and network of support services.

In keeping with its commitment to ensure those services remain available for all, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS this year awarded The Actors Fund $7,777,500 to help everyone in entertainment and the performing arts.

Just since the pandemic started, Broadway Cares has given the Fund a record $18.95 million to help those in the industry.

“The last year has exposed how vulnerable people in our community are,” Actors Fund CEO Joe Benincasa said. “Thousands of hardworking performing arts and entertainment professionals – performers and those behind the scenes – have been helped through the pandemic because of Broadway Cares’ record-breaking support of our programs. It is nothing short of miraculous.”

With theaters reopening and audiences beginning to return, there are glimpses of post-pandemic life on the horizon. Yet the impact COVID-19 has had on the theater industry will be felt for years to come.

“We couldn’t have gotten through the 20 months of this pandemic so far without the overwhelming support of those inside and around the theater industry,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “Theater fans and industry professionals alike rallied around this community like we could never have expected, helping to provide the resources to keep folks in this greatly impacted industry afloat. The need, though, continues.”

An Actors Fund survey of entertainment professionals earlier this year found a stunning 79% of those asked having increased feelings of anxiety or depression, symptoms of stress and a decreased ability to cope with economic uncertainty.

To address personal crises like these, The Actors Fund expanded its virtual platform to address emerging issues and concerns of the community, including an expanded emphasis on mental health.

With workshops focusing on how to return to a “new normal,” The Actors Fund offers individual counseling to aid in dealing with both immediate and chronic stress and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. These clinical and fact-based support groups, as well as individual therapy sessions, are available to re-center folks affected by isolation and living in uncertainty.

Of course, the impact of COVID-19 reaches far beyond the mental health crises. Since the beginning of the pandemic and the ensuing industry shutdown, tens of thousands in the community have faced daily challenges of getting groceries, keeping a roof over their heads and maintaining their health.

Just days after theaters went dark in March 2020, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS launched the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. Administered by The Actors Fund, the fund provides hope and assistance to those onstage, backstage and behind the scenes who face insurmountable hurdles, like paying their rent or retaining their health insurance.

Yesenia Ayala was living her dream, playing Anita in West Side Story on Broadway. After dancing in the ensemble of the national tour, a European tour and in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming feature film, she had finally taken center stage in this dream role at the Broadway Theatre.

In March 2020, Ayala went from Broadway star to unemployed performer in the blink of an eye, one of tens of thousands of theater workers whose livelihoods were taken from them when theaters shut down. And in the months since, many of those working at the industry’s highest level before the COVID-19 pandemic have now lost their health insurance.

“Qualifying for insurance is based on work weeks, but there has been no work,” Ayala said. “And COBRA payments for me are around $900 a month.” With West Side Story not among the shows returning to Broadway, Ayala’s ability to qualify for health insurance eligibility was in jeopardy.

To meet this kind of need, Broadway Cares funded the creation of Every Artist Insured, an effort that’s part of The Actors Fund’s Artists Health Insurance Resource Center, also called AHIRC. AHIRC provides counseling and health insurance enrollment assistance, helping to identify coverage options for affected members of the performing arts community.

A $1 million lead gift from Broadway Cares for Every Artist Insured meant AHIRC could double its staff to expand its free and confidential health insurance counseling and enrollment support services.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway Cares’ support of The Actors Fund has also funded services to marginalized members of the community. Support groups have been put in place for Black and non-Black people of color to find peer support and guided restorative dialogue about experiences of racial injustice, discrimination and bias in the workplace. Groups unique to Black women, Asian and Pacific Islanders and folks whose gender identity exists outside of the binary have also been put in place.

“The community of donors that surrounds us is truly incredible,” Viola said. “They have allowed us to support The Actors Fund to address every kind of need facing arts workers that this pandemic is leaving in its wake.”

It’s a message that Zakrin embodies. “I am opening my heart to let you know you’re not alone,” she shared. “You can celebrate the return of “Broadway” & support your friends & loved ones whose feet are dancing on a stage again & still hold space for mourning, for grief, for fear. You are still an artist. You are worthy. You are valued. You are not alone.”

✛ HIV/AIDS Initiative

 

The HIV/AIDS Initiative works with men and women in the entertainment industry to create confidential, holistic plans and support systems that will meet each person’s emotional, medical and financial needs. The HIV/AIDS Initiative facilitates support not just for those living with HIV/AIDS, but also for their caregivers and partners who are HIV-negative.

The HIV/AIDS Initiative provides an array of supportive services including emergency financial assistance for basic necessities such as rent, food, health insurance and non-reimbursable medical expenses, case management referrals to other sources of community and public assistance, benefits advocacy, vocational retraining, counseling and support groups.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $2 million in support for the HIV/AIDS Initiative in 2019.

✛ Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative

 

The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, created in 1996 with a grant from Broadway Cares, is staffed by social workers experienced in helping women manage a range of critical health concerns.

The initiative’s dedicated resources address needs specific to women, including breast, cervical and ovarian cancers, domestic violence, chemical dependency and mental health issues. The goal is to help women receive the care and support they need to reduce stress and focus on their wellness.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $900,000 in support for the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative in 2019.

✛ Artists Health Insurance Resource Center

 

The fund’s Artists Health Insurance Resource Center was started in 1998 with the singular mission to insure every artist in the United States.  Now that that goal is closer to reality, AHIRC is positioned to help the industry understand the Affordable Care Act, its opportunities and its implications.

With in-person counseling in New York and Los Angeles, national telephone support and workshops throughout the country, AHIRC continues to work to reduce the number of uninsured artists and expand access to quality, affordable health care.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $450,000 in support for AHIRC in 2019.

✛ The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts

 

The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts offers primary and specialty care, expedited referrals and extended hours, designed with the entertainment industry’s busy and often atypical schedules in mind.

The health center also provides primary and specialty care and accepts most insurance plans, including commercial insurances, several Marketplace/Exchange plans, Medicare and Workers’ Compensation. Free and unbiased health insurance enrollment and counseling are available onsite, as well.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $1.2 million in support for The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts in 2019.

✛ The Career Center

 

A comprehensive employment and training program, The Career Center helps entertainment professionals identify and find sideline work and new careers in industries where their skills and experience are also valued.

By highlighting the skills of entertainment industry professionals – such as communication, discipline, creativity, flexibility and professionalism – The Career Center has helped clients begin careers in many other industries, including teaching, administrative support, healing professions and real estate.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $300,000 in support for The Career Center in 2019.

✛ The Dancers' Resource

 

Launched in 2007 with a grant from Broadway Cares, The Dancers’ Resource provides support, education and information through one-on-one counseling in New York City and telephone and email support to those across the country.

Through a dedicated social worker, the program also offers groups for dancers dealing with injuries or other health concerns. Through these groups, dancers can safely and confidentially address the emotional issues and other complexities that are specific to dancers facing physical problems. The program also addresses mental health issues, eating disorders, substance abuse and depression.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $200,000 in support for The Dancers’ Resource in 2019.

✛ Stage Managers' Project

 

The Stage Managers’ National Health Directory offers a web-based directory providing Broadway and national touring companies with a list of doctors and health professionals in 30 cities across the country. The Actors Fund as a single reliable source of doctors and specialists who can be called when cast members, crew and staff need medical care assembled the directory. The practitioners included were recommended by theatres, stage managers, actors and others in the entertainment industry.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided $50,000 in support for the Stage Managers’ Project in 2019.

 

 
 

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Support for the Entertainment Community Fund by Fiscal Year

2021

Support for the Entertainment Community Fund

COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund	$3,000,000
Every Artist Insured	$500,000
HIV/AIDS Initiative	$1,000,000
The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts	$1,000,000
Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative	$750,000
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)	$500,000
Addiction and Recovery Services	$400,000
The Career Center	$250,000
The Dancers’ Resource	$125,000
Senior Services	$100,000
The Stage Managers’ Project	$50,000
Looking Ahead – The Paul Libin Center	$50,000
Miscellaneous	$52,500
Entertainment Community Fund Total: $7,777,500

 

2019

Support for The Actors Fund

HIV/AIDS Initiative	$2,000,000
The Friedman Health Center For the Performing Arts	$1,200,000
Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative	$900,000
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)	$450,000
Addiction and Recovery Services	$350,000
The Dancers’ Resource	$200,000
The Career Center	$300,000
Safe Workplace Initiative	$250,000
Looking Ahead – Paul Libin Center	$100,000
Senior Services	$225,000
The Stage Managers’ Project	$50,000
California Wildfires Assistance	$100,000
Miscellaneous	$61,000
The Actors Fund Total: $6,186,000

 

2018

Support for The Actors Fund

HIV/AIDS Initiative	$2,000,000
The Friedman Health Center For the Performing Arts	$900,000
Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative	$850,000
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)	$450,000
Addiction and Recovery Services	$450,000
The Dancers’ Resource	$300,000
The Career Center	$300,000
Safe Workplace Initiative	$250,000
Looking Ahead Center	$100,000
Senior Services	$100,000
The Stage Managers’ Project	$100,000
Miscellaneous	$96,575
The Actors Fund Total: $5,896,575

 

2017

Support for The Actors Fund

HIV/AIDS Initiative	$2,000,000
Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative	$850,000
The Friedman Health Center For the Performing Arts	$900,000
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)	$400,000
Addiction and Recovery Services	$400,000
The Dancers’ Resource	$350,000
The Career Center	$300,000
The Stage Managers’ Project	$150,000
Miscellaneous	$37,000
Hurricane Relief	$150,000
The Actors Fund Total: $5,537,000

 

2016

Support for The Actors Fund

HIV/AIDS Initiative	$2,000,000
Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative	$810,000
Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic	$600,000
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)	$400,000
Addiction and Recovery Services	$400,000
The Dancers’ Resource	$310,000
Actors Fund Work Program / Career Center Stage Managers’ Project	$300,000
Miscellaneous	$82,550
Friedman Clinic Capital Campaign	$500,000
The Actors Fund Total: $5,602,550

 

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

2009

2008

2007

BC/EFA Support for THE ACTORS FUND in 2007:  THE AIDS INITIATIVE GRANT $2,105,000  PHYLLIS NEWMAN WOMEN’S HELATH INITITATIVE GRANT $570,000  THE HIRSCHFELD FREE HEALTH CLINIC at The Auraora $675,000  ACTORS’ WORK PORGRAM – NYC $200,000  THE DANCER’S RESOURCE $125,000 TOTAL SUPPORT:  $3,675,000