Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald—nominated again this season for her performance as Rose in the Tony-nominated revival of Gypsy—and producer Kevin Ryan will co-chair Sleep Out: Stage and Screen, one of the largest annual charity events led by the Broadway community to benefit Covenant House International.
This year's event, set for August 10, will bring together more than 100 members from the Broadway, film, and TV industries to sleep on the streets of New York City to support young people overcoming homelessness. The evening of advocacy is sponsored by Broadway Cares.
McDonald, a long-time advocate for homeless youth and a member of the Covenant House Board of Directors, said in a statement, “Sleep Out holds a special place in my heart because it allows us to engage with the Covenant House kids in a real, human way.” The Broadway favorite, who will be participating in her 10th Sleep Out in August, added, “It has shifted my worldview to see the homeless youth as valued individuals who deserve to be truly seen and heard.”
Ryan, a producer of Gypsy and the upcoming Lincoln Center Theater revival of Ragtime, is also president emeritus of Covenant House and a co-founder of the Stage and Screen Sleep Out. He will be participating in his 17th Sleep Out this year.
McDonald and Ryan will be joined by Miriam Silverman, Claybourne Elder, Colton Ryan, Jason Ralph, John Wascavage, Adam Gwon, Ken Dingledine, TC Chou, Destiny Lilly, Karlee Fomalont, Ruthie Fierberg, and Geoffrey Soffer.
“We are so honored to have Audra McDonald, Kevin Ryan, and so many of stage and screen’s most talented people join this year’s Sleep Out movement,” stated Bill Bedrossian, president and CEO of Covenant House. “For over a decade, this community has been some of our biggest champions, and the unity they display when they come together in solidarity on this night showcases the commitment to ending youth homelessness. It is nights of advocacy like this that help us keep our doors open 24/7.”
Funds raised during the Sleep Out help Covenant House provide young people with necessary support, including safe shelter, nourishing food, clean clothing, medical care, and life-changing services like job training, education, mental health counseling, and legal aid.
To learn more about Sleep Out: Stage and Screen, click here. Visit CovenantHouse.org.
