jungle [8] client, Philip McAdoo, co-founder of youth theater program TeentoTeen.org and cast member of Broadway’s Rent is raising money to help build Theater in South Africa. See announcement below and do what you can!

Come Celebrate With RENT
AND HELP BUILD A THEATRE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Honoring Jonathan Larson and RENT in South Africa

On May 14th, 2008, RENT on Broadway will host a benefit event at The Canal Room for Ubuntu Education Fund as part of RENT’s ‘Seasons of Love: Big Give’. As RENT moves towards its final performance, their ‘Seasons of Love” Big Give’ is an exciting farewell project between RENT on Broadway and Ubuntu Education Fund to honor the legacy of RENT’s writer and creator, Jonathon Larson. The partnership will continue his mission to celebrate life amongst poverty, HIV and AIDS, by fundraising for the children of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Tickets can be purchased at www.ubuntufund.org

This is an exclusive charity event. All donations are tax-deductible and will help transfrom a community for of love and hope.

Founded in 1999, Ubuntu Education Fund’s 56 person staff based in the townships in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, serves 24,000 impoverished and vulnerable children and 15,000 families with life-saving HIV services and essential educational resources. Ubuntu Education Fund is based on the African philosophy of ‘ubuntu’, a spirit of common humanity, mutual responsibility and interdependence.

The cast of RENT was inspired to support Ubuntu Education Fund following a recent visit to South Africa by original cast member, Anthony Rapp, and current cast member, Philip McAdoo. While in South Africa, Anthony and Philip conducted a RENT workshop in Johannesburg for Ubuntu youth. The high-end cocktail party on May 14th will feature AKOYA AFROBEAT, a live afrobeat band at THE CANAL ROOM one of New York’s top A-list party destinations. Guests will include past and present RENT stars. An online auction and on-the-night silent auction promise exclusive prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the RENT cast.

The goal of the evening is to raise $500,000 to build a multi-purpose hall and theater that will be part of The Ubuntu Centre. Set to open in 2010, The Ubuntu Centre will be a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, multi-purpose community center and education and health complex. It will be the first of its kind in these township communities of Port Elizabeth, where 40,000 orphaned and vulnerable children have been devastated by the AIDS pandemic and the HIV prevalence rate is almost 40%. The theatre will provide a community meeting space for up to 250 people that will allow for gatherings for musical or theater performances and provide critical safe space for these children during after school, holiday and night time hours - when they are most vulnerable to abuse.
So, in the spirit of ubuntu - a person is a person through other people - come party with RENT and Ubuntu Education Fund at this exciting event, while continuing Jonathon’s Larson’s belief that the arts can help people overcome deprivation through love, hope and healing.

You must RSVP by purchasing your tickets before the event or just make a donation to help us reach our goal.

VIP tickets can be purchased from Ubuntu Education Fund directly. 2 private tables with bottle service for 4 people are available for $2,000 each and 4 VIP tables with bottle service for 10 people are available for $5,000 each. Become a corporate sponsor for a $10,000 or more. Contact Nomatola at 646 827 1190.

If you are unavailable to attend, click here DONATE for alternative ways to donate to Ubuntu Education Fund. Follow the link that reads, GIVE A GIFT IN SOMEONE”S NAME and make the donation in honor of RENT and Jonathan Larson. It is important when you donate online to make the contribution in honor of RENT and Jonathan so we can keep track of the money we raise.

To bid on items in the exclusive online auction that will take place leading up to the event, go to www.charityfolks.com Auction powered by CharityFolks.com.

Thank you so much
Philip McAdoo
Rent Cast Member ‘02 - ‘08