The SAG Foundation has approved final plans for opening an Actors Center this spring at the SAG headquarters building in Hollywood -- the first such facility for the 70,000 SAG members in the Los Angeles area.
"We're doing this because there really isn't a central gathering place for actors to go," explained foundation director Marcia Smith. "Considering the foundation's mission is to foster, develop and sustain an artistic community, actors in Los Angeles need this resource. They must have a centralized location that will nurture and support their quest to embrace this noble profession."
The foundation's board approved funding Monday to open the center in 3,500 square feet of vacant space on the mezzanine level of SAG's headquarters on Wilshire Boulevard. The facility will be open to members of SAG, Actors' Equity and AFTRA and serve as home to the foundation's programs along with providing access to rehearsal space, computers and lounge areas.
The foundation's board has OK'd spending nearly $1 million over the next five years with the goal of attracting enough donations by high-profile SAG members and others to move to a larger facility and launch similar centers in New York and at other SAG branches.
The foundation's board also approved new members at Monday's meeting, including Elliot Gould, Sara Kriger, Will Lyman, Michelle Robertson, Jerry Penacoli and JoBeth Williams.
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