Saddleback College Rent Cast Members Collect $3,462 for AIDS Walk Orange County

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Mission Viejo, CA – The Department of Theatre Arts’ production of Rent, directed by Daniel R. Trevino, choreography by Ellen prince and musically directed by Christopher W. Smith, played to full houses with standing ovations for each performance.  In keeping with the Broadway tradition, cast member Philip Bushell announced to the audience at the end of each performance that cast members would  be out in front of the theatre to collect for the AIDS Services Foundation’s AIDS Walk Orange County.

The cast presented the money collected from the audiences totaling $3,462 to Marc Marger, Director of Support Services, AIDs Services Foundation of Orange County following the run of the show (April 13- 22, 2012).

“The cast and crew members of Rent are great examples of the many Saddleback students who work tirelessly to better themselves and the community,” said Dr. Tod A. Burnett, President of Saddleback College. “The generosity of the audience and the selflessness of the students is something for which everyone at the college should be proud.”

A small group of volunteers founded AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) in late summer 1985, because people were dying, desperately needed help, and had nowhere to turn. ASF is now the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit AIDS-service organization in Orange County with a staff of almost 50 committed and caring individuals, a 21-member Board of Directors and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

ASF helps more than 1,600 men, women, children, and families in Orange County living with HIV disease. Services include food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, kids and family programs, mental health counseling, support groups and HIV education and prevention services. We hope for the day when we will never have to open our doors again. Until then, we work hard to ensure everyone living with HIV and AIDS in Orange County has access to life enhancing care and prevents its spread.

The Department of Theatre Arts program at Saddleback College produces several fully-staged shows in which students are encouraged to participate.  Theatre Arts students are given the opportunity to audition for every production and Theatre Arts students are given priority in the casting process.  In addition there are numerous opportunities for students to contribute in backstage activities of all college productions.

Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit.  Free parking is available in Lot 12.  Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the 2^nd left to Theatre Circle, turning right into Lot 12.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.