Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, a member of Sleep Out's executive committee, has embarked on a campaign to raise $25,000 or more for the organization. Check out her page here.
While Sleep Out: Broadway Edition takes place Aug. 17 in New York City, McDonald will sleep outside in solidarity with homeless youth Nov. 19, following the annual Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth in Times Square.
McDonald is part of the executive committee alongside Stephanie J. Block, Jeff Calhoun, Darius de Haas, Capathia Jenkins, Thomas Schumacher and Keala Settle.
Also planning to sleep out Aug. 17 for the Broadway Edition are Sebastian Arcelus, Chuck Cooper, Eddie Cooper, Lilli Cooper, Elizabeth A. Davis, Tamika Lawrence, Karen Mason, Andrea McArdle, Laura Osnes, Denis O'Hare, Christine Pedi, Will Swenson and Vanessa Williams, among others.
Playbill editor in cheif Blake Ross and Playbill.com features manager Michael Gioia also hit the streets for the Broadway Sleep Out as part of Team Playbill.
"Covenant House has been dear to me since 2012, when I was honored by the organization in California for my charitable work to empower and transform the lives of children in need," said Williams. "When Darius asked me to join him at the Broadway Sleep Out this summer, and shared with me how touched the young people are by welcoming us into their home to share an evening and an overnight with them, my reply was, 'For you and these kids, anything.'"
Click here for a full list of participants.
According to the Covenant House website, over 57,000 homeless children will turn to the organization for help this year. The Sleep Out is an opportunity for one community to come together for these kids — to raise funds for their material needs, to shower them with love and attention and to give these beautiful young people one more reason to believe that they matter.
For more information on how to participate and donate, click here.
