Curtains Up! Now’s your chance to bid for a chat with a performing artist

Apple Tree Arts’ “Curtains Up! Act 3: Conversation with An Artist” returns after an extended intermission paused the fundraising event in solidarity with the Black community. The auction closes at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

The mission-themed online auction provides a way for regional, national and international networks to support Apple Tree Arts, a nonprofit music and performing arts education organization by bidding on conversations with artists, gift certificates and packages donated by individuals and businesses. In addition, you may donate to the newly established scholarship fund. https://charityauction.bid/appletreearts

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in music, theatre, film and/or TV to have a conversation with musicians, performers and other professionals who are working in music and/or performing arts. The “artists,” who live coast-to-coast in the U.S. and Germany, have agreed to a half-hour conversation with the winning bidders. Whether that’s a phone call, through Zoom or another option, will be decided by the winning bidder and artist (facilitated by Apple Tree Art

Is there a college grad, teenager, family member or friend who would benefit or appreciate one of these conversations? Give an unusual gift to a special friend that lets them gain insight about a career in music or the performing arts from an accomplished professional. Support the arts today with a unique opportunity to inspire someone.

Apple Tree Arts thanks the auction sponsors: Homefield Credit Union, Apollo Piano Company and Beatz Dance Studio.

Artists include:

• National and international tour Broadway actors, stage managers, producers and directors (“Annie,” “Anastasia,” “Amos Heart,” “Hairspray,” “Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Master Class,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Producers,” “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” “The Book of Mormon,” “ Les Misérables,” “The Phantom of The Opera,” “Miss Saigon”)
• Television actors and screenwriters (“All in The Family,” “Archie Bunker’s Place,” “Rescue Me,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “The Sopranos,” “Ugly Betty”, “Days of Our Lives”, “The Middle”, “Supah Ninjas,” “All of My Children,” Skateboarding on Nickelodeon, HGTV series “House Hunters” and “Design on a Dime”)
• Founder of television producing company, Goldman Taylor Entertainment (has produced movies, documentaries, reality series’ and more).
• Film actors, screenwriters, directors, producers (“Fangs,” “The Producers,” “The Bronx is Burning,” “The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,” “Bridge to Terabithia,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “The Social Network,” “Bride Wars,” “Surrogates,” “Friends with Benefits”)
• Songwriters, music producers and radio personalities (Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten”and “Pocketful of Sunshine,’’Adam Levine’s “Lost Stars,” “Twisted Tunes” and “Twisted Christmas”)
• Chart-topping/award winning rock, jazz and blues band lead and back up vocalists and instrumentalists – percussion, guitar (New Radicals, Sara Bareilles, John Oates, Jennifer Nettles, The Contenders, Brittany Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, JADA, Alanis Morrissette, Mick Jagger, The B-52’s, Carly Simon, Lisa Marie Presley, Michelle Branch )
•  Internationally known and awarded classical pianist and conductor
• CEO of Independent Film Company, 50 Eggs (who is also an Olympian and recovering lawyer). 50 Eggs explores the concept of overcoming obstacles, whether it is a fight for social change or issues of poverty and lack of opportunity.
• Founder of Completely Ridiculous Productions, an acting training center and theatre lab
• Documentary producer and director of human resource videos for McDonald’s Corp and The New York Police Department
• Grammy award winning recording engineers and productions (Flo Rida, Michael Bublé, Ludacris, Adam Lambert, “Fantasia,” Michael Bolton, “Weird Al” Yankovic,” “Outlander,” “Black Sails,” “The Walking Dead,”  “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” “Eureka”)
• Internationally known electronic composition music producer and DJ

Watch for daily social media posts and information highlighting participating artists and their work as well as shout outs to auction donors. Bid for yourself, a family member or friend or make it a family conversation.As a bidder, you will support Apple Tree Arts while giving someone a gift of a conversation that may change their life!

If you would like more information about Conversations with An Artist or Apple Tree Arts, please contact Liz at liz.c@appletreearts.org or 508-839-4286.