Daedalus Project

The Daedalus Project is 21 years old this year. It’s a benefit to help support AIDS research and services and to remember those who have died of the disease. Jim Edmonson, a Festival actor who founded it, told the story tonight of its beginnings. This year there was a 5K fun run/​walk through Lithia Park on Sunday and a reading of part one of «Angels In America» today. There are tee shirt sales, a sale of crafts, baked goods and treasures by Festival staff, and tonight a variety show, all to raise money. We saw people in Daedalus tee shirts dating back to 1998 and 1989 in the audience. At intermission there was an underwear parade which raised an additional $ 8K+. The participants were several teams representing various parts of the Festival, from the costume shop to PR to the casts of several plays to the house staff, in various states of undress and costume. The rest of us participated by stuffing money in articles of clothing if bold and in more demure containers if not. The entertainment was great fun, but the most significant thing was the sense of community and caring. It was our first time attending. I don’t think it will be our last.