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Acts of Love: Pioneers

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

Acts of Love: Pioneers

October 3, 2009 @ Eli and Edythe Broad Stage

WordTheatre’s seventh annual Acts of Love in support of Autism Speaks will celebrate the Pioneers of our age, of bygone eras and of unknown futures; people who strike out into the unknown to make a better future.

This year’s show is currently being cast and will feature, among others:

  • Adam Arkin (Hitch, Chicago Hope)
  • Austin Butler (Aliens in the Attic, Ruby & The Rockits)
  • Michael Chiklis (Fantastic Four, The Shield)
  • Michaela Conlin (Bones, Enchanted)
  • John Heard (Home Alone, Prison Break)
  • Jon Huertas (Castle, Generation Kill)
  • Dorian Missick (Six Degrees, Lucky Number Slevin)
  • CCH Pounder (The Shield, Orphan)
  • Zachary Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes)
  • Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia, Jennifer’s Body)
  • Amber Tamblyn (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants)
  • Keith David (Crash, The Princess and the Frog) will narrate
  • Musical performances featuring vocalist Niki Haris with Tim McAfee-Lewis & New Thought and The Agape House Band

Acts of Love 2009 also features an awards reception to celebrate those who have made a difference in the Autism Community. Awards will be given to remarkable champions in the following categories:

Awareness/Media:Shawn Ryan (”The Shield”)

Science/Research:
Bob & Lynn Koegel (UCSB)

Advocacy:
Soryl Markowitz
(Autism Specialist at Westside Regional Center)

Family Services:Jay Nolan Family Services

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.

Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed an unprecedented $128 million in new research funding to uncover the cause(s), prevention, treatments and cure for autism, making it the nation’s top private funder of autism research. They are not only dedicated to funding global biomedical research, but also to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

Acts of Love: Pioneers is created, produced and directed by WordTheatre’s Artistic Director, Cedering Fox.

Curtain is at 7:30 PM

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Celebration of the Arts for NARSAD

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

Saturday evening, June 28, 2008, WordTheatre presented “Mysteries of the Mind” at Twin Oaks Farm in Sagaponack, New York. Guests arrived at 7:30 PM and were free to stroll around the beautiful, sculpture laden property, with a glass of champagne. The original show, created, directed and produced by Cedering Fox, began at 8:00 PM. Cocktails, dinner and dancing will follow.

*Actors scheduled to perform included

  • Rae Dawn Chong,
  • Gary Dourdan,
  • Kathryn Erbe,
  • Wendy Makkenna,
  • Brian Cox,
  • Nicole Ansari,
  • Linus Roache, 
  • John Heard, 
  • Harris Yulin.

Narrated by Blair Bess

Music performed by Deborah Lippmann with Neal Smith on percussion, Dexron Douglas on drums.
“Deborah Lippmann’s ravishing voice evokes the lush life of smoky jazz clubs and a more glamorous time… she’s poised to be the new voice in the girl group that includes such jazzy singers as Norah Jones, Dianne Reeves, and Diana Krall.“ (Lisa Robinson, Music Editor, Vanity Fair)

*Talent is subject to change without notice.

The event included a Silent Auction of original artwork by Aaron Holliday.

NARSAD is the world’s leading charity dedicated to mental health research. It’s mission is to alleviate human suffering from mental illness’s such as: schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, childhood mental disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, addictions and suicide.

NARSAD is dedicated to funding innovative research on the causes, improved treatments and prevention of mental illnesses. By increasing funds available for psychiatric research, NARSAD strives to help those suffering from serious mental disorders to build a better future and lead productive lives.

Headquartered in Great Neck, New York, NARSAD is guided by its Scientific Council, a group of leaders in the key disciplines of psychiatric brain disorders, who volunteer their time and talent to develop research policy and review grant proposals. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on contributions of individuals, foundations and corporations.

Since it’s inception in 1987 as the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, NARSAD has distributed $234 million in research funds to nearly 2,700 scientists in the United States and 27 other countries.

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