Digital Theater Initiative Raises Over $100K for Child Hunger Fund

The Homebound Project, a digital theater initiative created by a volunteer coalition of theater directors, producers, stage and screen actors, has raised over $100 thousand in its efforts to provide funds for No Kid Hungry, a national organization driven to help children living in hunger. The fifth and final installment of the Homebound Project’s performances will be available online from August 5 to August 9. 

Created in early May as a means of providing “sustenance” amid the pandemic, the Homebound Project features original plays written by homebound playwrights and performed by sheltered actors. 

“The Homebound Project grew from a desire to support frontline organizations by doing what we artists do best: creating and gathering, in newly imagined ways,” says Jenna Worsham, Homebound co-creator and director. 

“Our mission is to provide sustenance: critical provisions for those in need, an opportunity for isolated artists to collaborate, and (we hope) a way for audiences to access the communal empathy that theater provokes,” continued Worhsam, 

The Homebound Project has produced four installments of performances with an average of 10-12, 2-5-minute performances available per installment. View-at-home tickets start at $10, where all proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry, a campaign under Share Our Strength, an organization aimed at ending hunger and poverty. 

Co-creators Worsham and playwright Catya McMullen chose to have their initiative benefit No Kid Hungry after seeing news reports about how the pandemic impacted school closures. 

“Child hunger is an ongoing pandemic in this country, one that existed long before the coronavirus did, and it is a crisis that we can all fight to end. 

“No child should go hungry, and Catya and I strongly believe this is a cause that no matter your politics, people agree with and can get behind,” stated Worsham in an interview last month. 

The Homebound Project has featured artists such as Amanda Seyfried, Taylor Schilling, Brian Cox, Zachary Quinto, Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, Lena Dunham and more as performers and guest directors. 

Moving forward, Worsham remains uncertain about the Homebound Project’s future, however has stated that “If there’s a need down the line, whether it’s with No Kid Hungry or another frontline organization, I wouldn’t put it past us. We’ll see what happens and if the call is there, I think it’ll probably be answered.” 

The final round of performances from the Homebound Project will be available August 5 starting at 7pm EST until August 9 at 7pm EST.