6th Annual ACTORCRAFTS! Showcases Homemade Goods of Bway Stars 11/21

Members of the companies of Broadway shows including MARY POPPINS, THE LION KING, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and others will have the opportunity to show off their hidden, behind-the-scenes talents when their handiwork is featured in the 6th annual "ActorCrafts" fair on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Holy Cross School (332 West 43 Street) in Manhattan. Now in its 6th year, admission to "ActorCrafts" is free. The event is made possible by the generous support of Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS.

"ActorCrafts" is New York City's ONLY fine art and craft fair featuring - for sale to the general public -- the homemade works of professionals from Broadway's vast and talented theatre community, including actors, musicians, dancers, stage managers, stagehands, wardrobe personnel, et. al., a surprising number of whom spend their spare time with hobbies that include painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry-making, wearable art, doll-making, pottery, etc.

Among the exhibitors at the November 21st "ActorCrafts" will be: homemade soaps by Kristin Carbone (MARY POPPINS), artisanal baked goods by Thom Christopher Warren (THE LION KING), knitted hats by Audrey Lavine (Anna KarenINA); hand crafted one-of-a-kind woodturnings James Romick (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA); scarves and knitted items by Tony Award nominee Marla Schaffel (JANE EYRE); dolls by Sylvia Rhyne (SWEENEY TODD); balsam filled pillows and sachets by Ken McMullen (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST); and more.

ActorCrafts was established in 2004 by Josef Reiter a former New York actor, dancer and producer who has appeared on Broadway and toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and the South Pacific.

"While seeking an outlet for my own work, I came up with the idea for ActorCrafts. With so many theatre people who create such wonderful crafts and artwork, this is another outlet where we all come together and spotlight our other talents," said Reiter.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BC/EFA is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater 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.

FOR FURHTER INFORMATION ABOUT "ActorCrafts" visit www.actorcrafts.com

Photo credit Genevieve Rafter Keddy