Florida Nonprofit Organization To Open Two New Branches With Future Plans To Expand Nationally

Actors Reaching Out has been presenting various events and productions in the Central Florida area since 2015. After 3 successful years and thousands of volunteer hours, the organization announced plans for expanding the organization's mission to the Tampa Bay area and the Gainesville area, tripling the force of building community through theater.

"We are very excited about this transition," Founder and President Eric Scherer states. "We've always been very open to the idea of growing, and we cracked the code to successfully expanding our organization."

Actors Reaching Out is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization promoting literacy and community outreach through the theatrical arts. The members of this unique internationally acclaimed organization use their talents to encourage reading for people of all ages and to promote volunteerism for both local and national communities. Since 2015, members have contributed approximately 50,000 hours volunteering with various nonprofits and charities, including Give Kids the World Village, Children's Home Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and This Star Won't Go Out.

Actors Reaching Out has been going strong in Orlando for just over three years, but the story begins ten years ago while Eric was still in High School. "I was creatively constrained as a teenager. I could never find opportunities to act, direct, design and construct a set, edit films and music, etc. Through my connections at my library (where I volunteered for years), I was able to produce my first show between my junior and senior year."

Since then, Actors Reaching Out has produced an incredible amount of shows and been able to work with incredible talent. The Page to Stage programs, a majority performed in local libraries, adapt various children's books to a theatrical format. Some of these include the works of Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, and a personal favorite of Eric, Thomas the Tank Engine. "The Thomas show was fun not only creatively, but we were able to perform with the amazing award winning television series creator Britt Allcroft for a reworked version of the show in 2016."

While Actors Reaching Out has plans to open chapters across the country, the organization is familiar with traveling and performing around the United States. Last year, they presented an original show for the Spirit of Halloweentown event in St. Helens, Oregon. This past March, the organization made its New York City premiere at the Broadway Superclub Feinstein's/54 Below with their parody Harry-oke: A Hogwarts Cabaret.

They aren't slowing down either. The Orlando Chapter will be touring an adaptation of Frankenstein to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's book. Actors Reaching Out will continue partnering with local and national nonprofits this year and in the future. "Our members are so talented," Eric proudly states. "While other theater organizations put on a great show to advocate the arts, we believe theater can be used as a powerful tool to bring the message of these books and authors to life. We also allow as many people to experience these productions as possible through our fantastic partnerships with the library systems."

For more information about Actors Reaching Out and its continued expansion, please visit www.ActorsReachingOut.org.

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