Acting for a Cause is a live read series of classic plays and screenplays created, produced, directed and hosted by Brando Crawford. The script is typically announced days before the event alongside a playbill featuring the cast and an animation on Instagram. The actors have one rehearsal ahead of time. Each reading is organized to raise money for charity.[1] The readings garnered over 500,000 viewers between the first play read on March 27, 2020 and the last announced read on July 31, 2020.

Acting for a Cause Live Readings
Show typeStaged reading
Creative team
CreatorBrando Crawford
DirectorBrando Crawford
HostBrando Crawford
Official website

The series has featured young Hollywood actors such as Florence Pugh, Margaret Qualley, Ruby Rose, Madelaine Petsch, Zazie Beetz, David Corenswet, Jacob Elordi, Natalia Dyer, Corbin Bleu, Julia Fox, Tommy Dorfman, Madeline Brewer, Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff, Cameron Monaghan.[2] Recurring participants include Auliʻi Cravalho, Brandon Flynn, Justice Smith, Alex Wolff, Ronen Rubinstein, Jessica Frances Dukes, Mason Alexander Park, Sydney Lemmon, and Xxavier Lavell. While Brando Crawford serves as director and producer for every reading. Alex Wolff co-produced the reading of "This is our Youth", and Xxavier Lavell co-directed the reading of "Hit the Wall".

The reading series was a direct response to the pandemic and launched Brando Crawford's career as a director and producer.

Readings

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Brando Crawford directs and reads the stage directions unless otherwise noted. Many of the actors play multiple supporting roles. Specific roles are stated only when information is known.[2]

2020

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March 27, 2020

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The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

Note: This cast originally included Diana Silvers but she was unavailable at the last minute.

April 10, 2020

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This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford, co-produced by Alex Wolff

April 24, 2020

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Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

May 1, 2020

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Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

May 8, 2020

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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

May 15, 2020

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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

May 22, 2020

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Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

June 23, 2020

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Hit the Wall by Ike Holter[3]

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

June 30, 2020

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Up in the Air by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner[4]

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

July 7, 2020

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off by John Hughes

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

Note: This cast originally included Kelvin Harrison Jr. but he was unavailable at the last minute.

July 31, 2020

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A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed and produced by Brando Crawford

  • Brando Crawford as Bottom the Weaver, Egeus, and Master of Ceremonies
  • Tommy Dorfman as Puck (also plays Quince – this script has them being the same person; as if Puck has disguised himself as Quince entirely)
  • Julia Fox as Hippolyta (also plays Titania)
  • Andrew Matarazzo as Theseus (also plays Oberon)
  • Erinn Westbrook as Hermia
  • Pauline Chalamet as Helena
  • Drew Starkey as Demetrius
  • Wyatt Oleff as Lysander
  • Lauren McCrostie as Mustardseed/Snug/Lion
  • Paris De Chantal Smith as Cobweb/Starveling/Moon and Philostrate
  • Alyssa Jirrels as Narrator/Snout/Wall
  • Ashleigh Morghan as Peaseblossom/Flute/Thisbe

Other events

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On June 5, 2020, Brando Crawford, Xxavier Lavell, and Daniel Wilson uploaded the Black Lives Matter Manifesto on Acting for a Cause's YouTube channel unannounced, in place of a reading.

In 2023, Crawford directed a greenscreen-based remake of Tommy Wiseau's 2003 cult favorite The Room, starring Bob Odenkirk, Bella Heathcote, Cameron Kasky, Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel, Arturo Castro, and original star Greg Sestero.[5]

References

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  1. ^ George, Doug (May 13, 2020). ""Working Off of Momentum"". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Young Hollywood actors perform online for charity". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  3. ^ Kerr, Imani (2020-06-23). "Acting for A Cause Performs A Play for Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp". JaGurl TV. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  4. ^ "What To Watch June 30th To Take Away The Blues – Times Square Chronicles". 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  5. ^ Housman, Andrew (April 14, 2023). "The Room Remake Starring Bob Odenkirk Was Shot In A Single Day". SlashFilm. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
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