For Immediate Release: August 15, 2005
Media Contact: Tyler Melchior, 1812 Productions, 215.592.9560

During the 2005-2006 theatre season, 1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s all-comedy theatre company, will host Pay-What-You-Can final dress rehearsals for each of its productions. All proceeds from these Pay-What-You-Can rehearsals will go directly to ActionAIDS, a Philadelphia based organization working with people affected by HIV and AIDS. The Pay-What-You-Can final dress rehearsals will be held on the Thursday before each Friday Preview performance, beginning on August 25th at 8:00pm.

1812 Productions’ relationship with ActionAIDS began three years ago with 1812’s participation in ActionAIDS’ Immediate Seating program. Immediate Seating is an initiative in which participating theatres donate unsold seats to ActionAIDS for distribution to their clients and client’s families. This initiative helps to combat the financial strain placed on persons with AIDS and their families by allowing them access to the city’s cultural events at no cost. In many cases, it is the first opportunity clients have to experience live theatre.

The goal of 1812’s Pay-What-You-Can final dress rehearsals is to augment our participation in ActionAIDS community programs. The Pay-What-You-Can final dress rehearsals are open to the general public with all generated funds going directly to ActionAIDS. "We are proud and honored to support ActionAIDS and the wonderful work that they do within the region,” says Pete Pryor, 1812’s Producing Artistic Director. Jennifer Childs, 1812’s Artistic Director, adds, “We feel that opening these final rehearsals to the public is a great way to not only generate some extra funds for ActionAIDS, but also to allow for more opportunities for everyone in our community to experience the excitement of live theatre.” Charlene Nolton Goodnow, Development Specialist for ActionAIDS, says, “ActionAIDS and 1812 Productions have had a wonderfully supportive relationship these past years, including their participation in our Immediate Seating program. In making available complimentary tickets for all their productions, they have given many of our clients the opportunity to enjoy the laughter and good times of the 1812 theatre experience. They are making such a difference in the lives of so many who are living with HIV/AIDS. We thank them and are grateful for the funds and the fun that the ‘Pay What You Can’ nights will bring!”

1812 History
Artistic Director Jennifer Childs and Producing Artistic Director Pete Pryor founded 1812 Productions in the spring of 1998 with a goal to entertain and educate audiences through comedy, and to support and hire local artists. Philadelphia Magazine named 1812 Productions one of the top 5 theatres of the 2004-2005 season. Their education program, 1812 Outreach, has received four consecutive nominations and been awarded once the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service. 1812 Productions, while continually on the search for a permanent home, continues to perform at various locations around Philadelphia. Most recently, 1812 Productions was the recipient of 8 nominations for Barrymore Awards for Excellence in theatre for their 2004-2005 season.

ActionAIDS Mission
ActionAIDS is a Philadelphia-based organization in partnership with people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, working to sustain and enhance quality of life. ActionAIDS provides a range of direct services and takes an active and professional approach to leadership in service, education and advocacy. Staff, volunteers and the board of directors are committed to including and assisting people from our heterogeneous community and are responsve to the dynamic needs generated by the epidemic.

Go to News Releases»