LAKEVILLE, CONN.: The North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (NATEAC) has donated $10,000 as charitable support to the Behind the Scenes Foundation (BTS). NATEAC strives to promote communication between the parties responsible for designing and building new theatres and renovating existing facilities in North America. 

“All of us at NATEAC are very happy to provide this donation in support of the terrific work the Behind the Scenes Foundation offers through its grants program and mental health initiative,” said NATEAC founder Bill Sapsis in a statement. NATEAC supported Behind the Scenes in 2012 as well, donating proceeds from its conference dinner at Sardi’s. The pandemic forced NATEAC to cancel the dinner but the organizers decided to continue the support for BTS regardless.

“NATEAC represents a coming together of individuals from across our industry to share their expertise to create even better performance spaces that benefit those who work in and attend them,” said Lori Rubinstein, executive director of the Behind the Scenes Foundation, in a statement. “That ethos is kin to what Behind the Scenes represents: a coming together of individuals to share their expertise to care for their colleagues who are ill or injured or coping with mental health challenges. NATEAC’s donation is a welcome affirmation of that work at a much-needed time.”

The Behind the Scenes charity provides entertainment industry professions who are seriously ill or injured with grants for basic living and medical expenses. The BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative provides tools and resources to support workers and promote mental health and psychological safety.