Denver Actors Fund helps former Colorado Theatre Guild president through year-long dental odyssey
About Melanie Mayner: Melanie Mayner has been a constant presence in the Colorado theater community for almost 35 years. She was publicist for numerous companies over the years, served as president of the Colorado Theatre Guild and produced several plays and musicals. She also worked with Phamaly Theatre Company for 18 years in many capacities, including production manager and later executive director. In retirement, Melanie returned to the creative side of theatermaking last year as Properties Designer for the Wheat Ridge Theater Company’s “The Woman in Black.” Melanie received a lifetime achievement award from the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards and continues to support organizations across the Front Range in various ways.
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Melanie’s medical story: Melanie has been through a very long dental odyssey that has included two emergency surgeries and two implants. But after a sudden and difficult job elimination, Melanie was left with no severance, little income and no dental insurance.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund’s partnering dentist, Dr. Brian Kelly, has directly overseen Melanie’s journey for nearly a year. He has conducted some of the work himself but, because he does not do surgeries himself, he set Melanie up with the surgical team of Nelson & Welles, which charged the Denver Actors Fund a slightly reduced rate. All work done by Dr. Kelly is his in-kind donation to the Denver Actors Fund, or about 50 percent of the street value of his treatment. The other 50 percent is paid by the DAF to Hakala Family Dentistry, which makes its facilities and staff available for Dr. Kelly to do his work. Melanie’s medical journey is not yet finished but, to date, the DAF has paid out $4,710 toward her dental care – a figure that will rise once we learn what Dr. Kelly’s in-kind donation comes to, and our matching obligation to Hakala Family Dentistry. Last year, Melanie designated her birthday as a fundraiser for the DAF, and in doing so raised $415 for our PAWS Fund. While we neither ask nor expect our recipients to pay back anything they receive from the DAF, we are grateful to report that Melanie is also now a monthly donor! Learn how you can join her at coloradogives.org/organization/DenverActorsFund
‘THE COLORADO THEATER COMMUNITY IS SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE DENVER ACTORS FUND AS A RESOURCE.’ – MELANIE MAYNER
A message from Melanie: “As a longtime supporter of the Denver Actors Fund, I never dreamed the time would come when I would need their assistance to cover a dental emergency. Yet, following a layoff during COVID and having my income cut in half, I needed help – and the DAF willingly stepped up to help me. I am humbled and so grateful to have a resource like DAF to help me and others get through challenging times. The Colorado theater community is so fortunate to have this resource, and I hope people continue to support their efforts for many years to come. Thank you to all the donors, the Denver Actors Fund, and to Dr. Brian Kelly for helping me when I didn’t have the resources to help myself.”
