NY1.com: Armed with a compactor and shovels, scrapers and paintbrushes, a group of Broadway's best went to work off-Broadway: Way off. Theater directors, actors, producers and writers all traveled to Bedford-Stuyvesant to take on the role of construction worker Monday as they helped Habitat for Humanity build affordable homes for New Yorkers.
"To feel like we're making a physical difference in someone's life is a great thing," said Actor Andrew Keenan-Bolger.
9 comments:
Seeing people in our industry give back like this really nice. We have various organizations dedicated to philanthropy within the arts, but seeing a group of individuals come together in such a way and give back to the community is even more impressive and it's nice that they were recognized.
I love to hear about people of all sorts getting involved and giving back to their communities, especially when they are theatre people. It is wonderful that Broadway actors and designers used their day off to help the less fortunate, and that it was such a positive experience for everyone involved that they want to make it an annual event. As the Broadway musical "Avenue Q" says, "When you help others, you're really helping yourself." Not only did the volunteers help their community, they helped themselves by experiencing something new and becoming a bigger and better part of the community around them.
If you want to be part of a community that can care not only about their profession but the world around them, then look no further then our industry. Not only do we perform, organize events, or educate people in the arts, we make sure that things are always progressing. Its good to see how our community can come together and make a difference in many ways. Broadway Cares and Broadway Builds are just some ways that we can give back to the community and make a difference a little at a time.
I had a friend, a student studying lighting design who later swiched to environmental studies, who told me that Theatre is a selfish proffession. Soon after I worked on a small show that was sponsered by broadway cares and I realized that our proffession may be selfish in theory, being that we put on shows because we want to and because people want to have a good time watching, but at the same time how theatre people choose to use their theater experience is realy great. Broadway Cares/Broadway fights AIDS and the Habitat projects are great displays of what the theatre community can and will accomplish.
I really love this idea. Society really needs to help each other out, and this is a really good way to do it. A great of people look to stars for how to act and if they see the members of Broadway out in the world helping the less fortunate then they may be more likely to do as well. I feel that not enough people in society these day go out of their way to help people ( know that I haven't). We all get caught up in our own lives and forget about other. I know I was volunteering at the Pittsburgh food bank a few weeks ago and was shocked to see that many of the people working there were retired citizens. It just a little saddening.
Community outreach is something that seems to be going in both directions. There are some select groups that have become increasingly community friendly while many others have recessed into themselves and do little or no outreach. Helping the community helps those who live there and helps cultivate artist; now that they don't have to worry about where they will sleep they can focus on their art.
I find this very cool in the fact that these accomplished professionals on broadway took their day off and turned it into something not only productive but something that helps the city that gives them work and that they most likely reside in. And like the article said who doesnt like to give back the feeling you get after you accomplish your goal is absolutly addicting.
What an awesome thing to see this happening! Extraordinarily busy people coming together to help their neighbors. As mentioned in the article, it does indeed seem like a natural move that thespians would be able to build a house as most have worked on sets at some point throughout their theatrical career. Personally, I'm only surprised that this is their first time!! Why did it take so long? The Broadway community works very hard in community service through other ways, and I'm very glad to see the beginning of Broadway Builds. Habitat is a wonderful organization and the participants really will get as much out of the project as the recipient.
It's wonderful to see people in our line of business giving back. This type of service really helps both parties. Not only is it a great cause going to help those who really need it, but it is also showing that the theatre community is in tune with the community round it. Besides, the theatre is only still going because of the support it receives. If more people saw the theatre was as invested in the community as the community is in theatre, it could do the industry alot of help. I hope to see more theatrical groups reaching out to projects like this and doing their part in the community that has supported them.
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