Brando Crawford
Production
Biography
Brando Crawford is the founder and director of Acting for a Cause, an organization renowned for its groundbreaking philanthropic productions. Crawford’s Acting for a Cause first made headlines in 2020 (BBC, British Vogue, Variety, Chicago Tribune etc), for a series of star studded “guerrilla theatre” productions raising funds entirely for charitable causes. Casts included Oscar Nominee Florence Pugh, Jacob Elordi, and Bella Thorne among many other young Hollywood elites. Acting for a Cause’s digital livestreams have raised over $100,000.00 for charity and attracted millions of international viewers, introducing Gen Z audiences to critical philanthropic initiatives including AIDS research (amfAR), arts education (EIFoundation), wildfire recovery (Entertainment Community Fund), COVID-19 relief (Mount Sinai Hospital), and more. Acting for a Cause is not only impactful in product, but also in process. All cast and crew, from the key grip to the leading actor, volunteer their time and talent- making each production 100% for charity. Prominent fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana (The Great Gatsby), Versace (Julius Caesar), and Fred Segal (The Room Returns) have generously contributed costumes. Bold, unexpected creative choices, transform classics and have hooked Gen Z: Julia Fox as Titania in a Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gender Swapped Hamlet, LGBT representation in every cast, and modern translations of Shakespeare texts as subtitles. Most recently, Crawford directed and starred in a reimagining of Tommy Wiseau's 2003 cult classic The Room, starring Emmy Winner Bob Odenkirk, Bella Heathcote, and original cast member Greg Sestero, with executive producer Mike Flanagan, under the banner of Acting for a Cause. The feature-length film was shot in a single day, with Odenkirk calling it the best experience he has had in show business besides working with Chris Farley on SNL. Proceeds from the project benefit amfAR. He is also a musician and a member of the band Never Sorry, alongside Rivkah Reyes and Joey Gaydos Jr., both known for their roles in the film School of Rock and actor Rob Raco. The band has collaborated with Twin Shadow, Pianist Mike Garson and Drummer/Victoria’s Secret model, Dilone. In addition to his work in the arts, Crawford is passionate about preserving history and community. He owns and restores historic properties, including the International mansion in Oak Park that hosts The Language and Music School, which he co-owns with his mother. Brando Crawford hopes to continue to transform media through Acting for a Cause by making art for the sake of art and impact.
Known For
Acting for a Cause is a live read series of classic plays and screenplays created, produced, directed and hosted by Brando Crawford featuring young Hollywood actors such as Academy Award Nominee Florence Pugh, Emmy Nominee Margaret Qualley, and 80 other young Hollywood stars. Each reading is organized to raise money for a specific charity. The readings garnered over 500,000 viewers between the first play read on March 27, 2020 and the last announced read on July 31, 2020. The reading series was a direct response to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and launched Brando Crawford's career as a director and producer.
Acting for a Cause
A green-screen reliant remake of Tommy Wiseau's 2003 cult film.
The Room Returns!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Donate: ActingforaCause.org @acting4acause Jane Eyre is the classic tale of a woman's relationship with authority and love. We follow her as she grows up in an abusive situation, moves on to work for the moody and mysterious Mr. Rochester, falls in love with him, finds out he is already married, moves in with St. John and his sisters, inherits a large sum of money, receives a proposal from St. John, and moves back to find Rochester's wife is dead and he is badly injured.
Jane Eyre
Gina, a Filipina Gemini doing her best, takes the advice of her sliding scale therapist to spend a day with her INNER SABOTEUR. Enter Gianna. Will they make peace, or does Gianna, like, literally want Gina dead?
Gianna
Two old friends reconnect in an unexpected encounter.
Night Shifts
A coming of age story about the euphoria, and anxiety of losing your virginity. Finding your voice in a see of pressure from your friends to social media, forcing youth to grow up too quickly.