Chances are you may have heard a “stage appeal” while seeing one of our shows. If not, you may encounter one in the future with the 08-09 Season right around the corner. A stage appeal is a donation solicitation usually made by cast members after a performance’s final curtain. Cast members then typically disperse throughout the theatre and lobby to collect money as you exit. These casts are all raising funds and awareness for the same organization, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

So what is this organization and where does the money go? Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the ongoing, committed response from the American theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

BC/EFA's grant making has two emphases. The first is The Actors' Fund of America. BC/EFA currently supports five major social service programs at The Fund, each of which provides direct assistance to entertainment industry professionals and performing artists who are dealing with a variety of problems, including AIDS, HIV, and HIV-related issues. The second major grant making effort is the National Grants Program, through which BC/EFA makes grants twice a year to hundreds of local, community-based AIDS service organizations across the country.

Half the money raised through stage appeals goes directly back to these local community organizations. According to Tom Viola, Executive Director of BC/EFA, 287 cities and towns in 48 states see that money. “We really want to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and the community,” says Viola. “The national tours are the best representatives that we could ask for. We are blessed with the enthusiasm of the tours and the generosity of the local audiences.”

In addition to supporting a crucial cause, theatergoers get to interact with cast members while making their donations. “We have really found that people view it as a 1,800-seat meet and greet,” says Viola. “In many ways you see the cast members as you would never see them, outside and past the curtain call.”

Throughout each year, BC/EFA hosts a variety of innovative and exciting event-based fundraisers in New York City including “Broadway Bares,” “Gypsy of the Year” and “Broadway Barks.”

For more information on BC/EFA and how you can support this worthy cause, visit www.bcefa.org.

By: Allison Thomas