Chicago Artist Guide to hosts cabaret fundraiser July 16
Chicago Artist Guide (CAG), a non-profit which aims to diversify Chicago theater casting and hiring, is holding its first fundraiser, a cabaret-style night, at the Chicago Children's Theater (100 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607) on July 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM.
The event, called Night at the CAG-Baret, will feature up to 12 unique acts ranging from a jazz band lead by Board Member Tommy Bradford to a burlesque number by CAG UX Designer Grace De Sant aka Foxie la Fleur. A silent auction will also be held during the event, where attendees will have a chance to bid on prizes such as theater tickets chef-selected dinner for two with sommelier-selected wine pairings to Maple & Ash; local Chicago artists' artworks; headshot sessions and more!
Organized by the Artist Auxiliary Board of CAG, the event not only hopes to raise funds for the launch of its new platform this summer, but also to invite Chicago theater to the core tenet of CAG, which is to create access for talent from underrepresented groups to work and position of power in theatre. Night at the CAG-Baret will be the networking event of the summer for Chicago theater artists. The event will be hosted by Chicago actor, CAG's Development Manager and Artist Auxiliary Board member Alexandria Moorman.
Tickets are $30, but for a limited time this June 2023, CAG is offering a "friends and family" price of $25 and can be purchased online: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/Ggqb-vmkrb6sWyeyD-TL9Q. The ticket includes price of admission as well as one beverage. Additional wine & beer will be available for purchase at the venue to be enjoyed by complementary appetizers.
ABOUT CHICAGO ARTIST GUIDE: Chicago Artist Guide aims to diversify Chicago theatre with a centralized online network for artists, producers, and community groups. CAG's vision is "Theatre for everyone, made by anyone."
Website: www.chicagoartistguide.org/home
OUR LAUNCH: CAG's first product is a platform that will allow theatre companies and producers to connect with theatre artists - onstage & backstage - like never before. The platform creates opportunities for more mindful and diverse hiring by design, giving theatre companies access to our entire database of performers (filtered by the skills and demographics that are integral to the role) from the moment the role is posted. Our platform handles the difficult task of outreach, and brings a diverse set of people directly to producers and casting directors. Similar to LinkedIn, artists and companies will have their own easily readable profile, displaying their work in a standardized format.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA MOORMAN: Alexandria Alyse Moorman (she/her) - holds a BFA in Acting from Emerson College and is a proud recipient of the Isabel Sanford Award. While working in partnership with Cacique Youth Learning Center in the South End of Boston she helped lead and coordinate a classroom of Pre-K students through artistic workshops culminating in producing presentations of their original work. Alexandria's credits as a performer/writer/poet/ improviser have been in collaboration with and on the stages of The MCA, iO (Diversity Scholar recipient), The Haitian American Museum, The Second City, The Den Theater, Brown Paper Box Co., Stage 773, The Annoyance, MPAACT Theater, Rough House Theater Co. among others. She is an ensemble member of The Not That Late Show, a monthly late night style talk show. She can also be heard as a recurring guest on the podcast Lifetime Uncorked, which was featured in O Magazine last year. Film credits include How to Re-caulk Your Tub (Elevated FF - Audience Award Winner, Calgary Underground FF - Best Int. Short Winner), Mid 30's Martyr (Austin Revolution FF - Best Actress Short Winner, Cindependent FF, San Angelo Revolution FF - Best Actress nom.), Ponytail (Shortcut 100 Int. FF - Winner: Audience Choice, Best Chicago Made, Female Filmmaker). When not dreaming of winning the lottery, she enjoys watching Bravo TV for all that nonsense, flexing her mixology skills, traveling and eating well with her partner John.
ABOUT TOMMY BRADFORD: Tommy J. Bradford (he/him) - is a saxophonist, Entrepreneur and Educator. He is a focused musician and artistic leader with a proven record for fostering deep emotional connections through exceptional musical performance and artistic and professional leadership. This fundamental idea is what keeps him constantly developing his philosophy, knowledge and abilities to connect people. Growing up in Chicago, he's had the privilege of hearing a variety of music and has absorbed a tremendous amount of Chicago's artistic culture. As a youth, Tommy began his musical path in elementary school playing throughout high school and later graduating from Columbia College in Chicago, 2003, with a B.A in Music Business. In 2013, he received an MEd from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Instructional Leadership and has several State of Illinois certifications in teaching Middle School, ELL & Music Education. A portion of his focus has been in developing and implementing both curriculum and artistic programming in the Chicago school systems, and creating artistic partnerships that provide creative learning environments and outlets using music and art from diverse cultural backgrounds. He is presently the Director of General Music for Barry Elementary and is a recent appointee of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Artists Guide.
ABOUT GRACE DESANT: Grace Desant (she/her) - holds a BA in Theatre from Millikin University, where she also minored in dance. She has worked as a theatre artist in Chicago for the past decade as a performer, producer, director, choreographer, and prop designer. In the past, she was co-chair of the Executive Board for Awakenings, a nonprofit art gallery that makes visible the experiences of sexual assault survivors. She also moonlights as a burlesque performer and producer Foxie la Fleur and co-founded Crescent Moon Nerdlesque in 2018. Grace is passionate about creating equal opportunities for artists and advocates for pay transparency within the performing arts community. In 2020, Grace decided to dive into UX Design through General Assembly's immersive program to marry her creative flair for visual design and passion for helping others. She aims to get certified in accessibility design in the future. She is thrilled to continue her journey as a UX designer with Chicago Artist Guide.