[e-drive][FUNDRAISER - ACTORS' FUND - TORONTO]

[Chris Blanchenot]

Please direct all responses and inquiries directly to the theatre or
association listed in the e-drive notice below.


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FUNDRAISER - ACTORS' FUND - TORONTO
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TORONTO, September 1, 2004 -

The second annual Actors' Fund "More Than Applause" fundraising and
awareness campaign is set to return this fall during the week of October
18 - 25.

The Actors' Fund of Canada promotes creative excellence for performers,
creators, technicians and other members of creative and production teams
in all entertainment industry sectors. The Fund carries out this mission
by providing encouragement and short-term financial aid to help
entertainment industry workers maintain their health, housing and
ability to work after an illness, injury or sudden unemployment.

The Fund believes that the risks that Canadian artists take as they
create some of the finest live and recorded productions in the world
should be recognized, valued and supported by all Canadians. The Fund
has helped over 10,000 people working in film & television, theatre,
music and dance since its creation almost 50 years ago and has delivered
over $2.5 million in financial aid within the past 10 years.

The needs are still growing. The last two years have seen a massive 70%
rise in requests for assistance, so much so that more than $400,000 was
distributed in the last year alone.

The "More Than Applause" campaign is an evolution of the "Equity Fights
AIDS" drive, run successfully for many years in the Canadian theatre
community. While the Fund retains HIV/AIDS relief for entertainment
industry workers as a priority, the "More Than Applause" campaign
represents an opportunity to gain financial support for, and raise
awareness of, its broader mandate of helping entertainment professionals
recover from every type of serious illness or injury.

Last year's campaign raised over $40,000 through a wide variety of large
and small events and projects. This year, the Fund is encouraging people
and organizations from all sectors of the entertainment industry and in
all parts of Canada to show solidarity and participate in the campaign
week. Industry workers and supporters can join the campaign through
spreading the word about the Fund, making personal donations, having
bake sales or craft shows, making curtain speeches and "passing the
hat", holding 50/50 draws for cast and crew, selling autographed
posters, organizing cabaret evenings or other fundraising events - the
possibilities are limited only by the imagination. More great
fundraising ideas and upcoming events can be found on the Fund's web
site at www.actorsfund.ca.

Scott Thompson ("Kids in the Hall", "The Larry Sanders Show") will host
the "More Than Applause" Toronto Gala on October 18, 2004 at 8 pm at the
Jane Mallett Theatre. The event promises an eclectic mix of the most
remarkable talent Canada has to offer in theatre, music and dance. The
line-up for this year's event includes the National Ballet of Canada's
Rex Harrington, world-renowned modern dance artist Peggy Baker, stars
from the Toronto productions of the hit musicals "Mamma Mia",
"Hairspray", "Urinetown", "The Producers" and many other outstanding
performers. Tickets are available now at (416) 366-7723 or online at
www.stlc.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT: David Hope, Executive Director

The Actors' Fund of Canada 
Phone: (416) 975-0304 
Toll-free: 1-877-399-8392 
e-mail: execdir at actorsfund.ca 
Web site: www.actorsfund.ca 
 
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