OSF's 2014 Daedalus Project Raises Over $142,000

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 27th annual Daedalus Project fundraiser for HIV/AIDS organizations totaled $142,496. The event on August 18 was produced by Claudia Alick, associate producer, community, and directed by Eduardo Placer, an actor with the company.

This year's total exceeded last season's by $3,200, and the popular Underwear Parade topped last year's donations by $3,711 with a total of $21,145. Tickets for the afternoon reading of The Children's Monologues and the evening variety show, along with general donations, raised approximately $60,000. Contributions also came from the Daedalus 5K Run, the sale of T-shirts, lemonade, baked goods, concessions, quilt raffle, an "Arts and Treasures" sale, and sales of Daedalus Pillows and Bears created by members of OSF's Costume Department.

The ACT V: THE END OF AIDS Indiegogo campaign raised $7,240.

A new event this year was Daedalus Drinks/Daedalus Dines held on July 22, when participating local businesses donated a portion of their profits to Daedalus. This event raised $3,311.

For the second year, the Ashland Independent Film Festival and Coming Attractions Theatres teamed with OSF to put on the Daedalus FilmFest. Six original, award-winning documentary films about the on-going global HIV/AIDS crisis were screened. The event this year raised $2,380.

Each year following the benefit, the Festival distributes the funds to various local, regional, national and international organizations involved in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Those organizations receiving funds will be announced at the end of 2014.

"It was a hugely successful event," said Executive Director Cynthia Rider. "We thank the company, community and audience members who contributed their time and money to making this event so memorable. We will disburse the funds to various organizations in the near future, and expect to be amazed again at how many lives these grants can affect in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

The first Daedalus Project was organized by OSF actor and director James Edmondson in 1987, and the event, including this year, has raised $1.5 million for local, regional, national and international HIV/AIDS organizations. In the last 27 years, the Daedalus Project has created a tradition of remembrance, celebration and collective action for OSF's company, community and audience.

The 2015 Daedalus Project will be held on Monday, August 24.

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