The check was presented by Orlando Shakes’ Artistic Director Jim Helsinger (L) and Managing Director Douglas Love-Ramos (R) to GOPAR board members (center, L-R) Michael Wanzie, Melissa Cooper and Chris Brown. (Photo courtesy Orlando Shakes)
ORLANDO | Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, raised $13,967.24 from the patrons of its December run of “A Christmas Carol” for the Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief. It is the largest donation made to GOPAR from a partnering organization.
“We’re so grateful for our supporters who donated to such a great cause to help the performing artists in our local community,” said Jim Helsinger, Orlando Shakes artistic director, in a press release. “Artists are the backbone of our company, so we are so glad to have the opportunity to provide support for those struggling to make ends meet during the crisis of the pandemic.”
GOPAR, which was founded in 2020 by local performing arts leaders in response to the pandemic, aims to “provide easy-access assistance in times of crisis to individuals in the Greater Orlando area who typically derive income from the performing arts and/or theme park entertainment sectors.”
“I extend my sincere thanks to [Orlando Shakes’ patrons] who have made a donation to GOPAR while attending a show at a partner theater such as Orlando Shakes,” said GOPAR founding member Michael Wanzie in the release. “I really want to stress to those good folks that when they contribute to GOPAR they are not only assisting those in our arts community who may be in crisis, but are also helping to ensure that their favorite theater continues to have access to the broadest array of talent on an ongoing basis.”
To learn more about GOPAR and to make a contribution, go to GOPAR.org.
