The actor: Xavier Frétard was a longtime circus performer who came to Colorado Springs in his early 20s and performed for 15 years with the Millibo Art Theatre in Manitou Springs. His signature routine, according to co-founder Birgitta De Pree, was riding a tall bicycle he built while wearing 5-foot stilts and a red top hat. He was affectionately known as the “Tall Man” at the Millibo, and often visited area schools to teach students circus performance. “Xavier was the Spirit of Play,” cofounder Jim Jackson said. “His wonderful madness will be missed so much.” Click here to read a wonderfully written tribute by friend Matthew Schniper.
His death: Xavier’s life was taken June 23 in a late night hit-and-run accident while he was riding a on a bicycle at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Logan streets. He had been visiting friends in Denver. The driver hit Frétard from behind at a high speed and drove away, but police found and arrested him nearby. The driver faces seven charges, including vehicular homicide involving a DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving resulting in death, and driving without a license.
How we have helped: The Denver Actors Fund’s board of directors has voted to contribute $1,000 to a memorial fund that has been established to help his partner, Gabrielle Waters, pay for funeral expenses and the cost of returning his ashes to his native France.
How you can help us help more: If you would like to add to our contribution to the fund, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund (with Xavier Frétard’s name written in the topic field), to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is a targeted donation to the partner of Xavier Frétard. (She will receive 100 percent of your donation.) Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund.
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $245,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need. If you would to help us replenish our general fund, simply mail checks made out to The Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO, 80212. Or use this donation link.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
Video above: The Denver Actors Fund receives the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2016 Community Impact Award.
The Denver Actors Fund is a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to $241,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers has offered good neighborly assistance to more than 100 beneficiaries including meal prep and delivery, child care, transportation, errands, construction, pet-sitting and more. For more information, visit our web site at DenverActorsFund.Org.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AID:
To apply for Denver Actors Fund aid: Fill out this brief online form here
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
DONATE BY MAIL:
Send checks made out to the Denver Actors Fund to:
P.O. Box 11182
Denver, CO 80212
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO OUR EVENTS:
Denver Actors Fund Film Series: Our next Denver Actors Fund film screening at the Alamo Drafthouse Sloan’s Lake will be a “West Side Story” singalong at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, hosted by Traci J. Kern and Ryan Belinak. Reserve your preferred seat here.
Miscast returns Sept. 17: “Miscast,” which is presented each year by Robert Michael Sanders as a benefit for The Denver Actors Fund, is an opportunity for local performers to sing songs and act out scenes they would never … ever! … get cast to perform on any legit stage. Think gender-bending, race-bending and age-bending. Odd couples and mixed groups. Wrong is oh so right. “Miscast” has evolved over the years into one of the biggest nights of the year in the Colorado theatre community – and it is a really good show. “Miscast 2018” will be held Sept. 17 at a new location: The Mizel Arts and Culture Center. Tickets onsale soon.
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