A host of stage alums are set to take the stage at the Actors Fund’s fifth annual Looking Ahead Awards gala, which will take place October 28 at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles.
The awards, which celebrate current and former young leaders in the performing community, will be hosted by Garrett Clayton (Hairspray Live!) and The Fosters’ Ashley Argota.
The ceremony will honor Joani Geltman with the Judy & Hilary Swank Award for Parenting, presented by Geltman’s daughter, Broadway alum Ari Graynor; Raven’s Home and That’s So Raven star Raven-Symoné with the Looking Ahead Award for Education, presented by Tony nominee Debbie Allen; the Looking Ahead Award for Community Service to Monique Coleman, presented by her High School Musical director Kenny Ortega; and the Elizabeth Taylor Award for Social Awareness to the young cast of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Joshua Rush, Sofia Wylie, and Asher Angel), presented by Vivian McMurray and Tarquin Wilding (Taylor’s great-granddaughter and grandson).
In addition to a cocktail hour, dinner, and ceremony, the evening will feature live performances by America’s Got Talent’s Makayla Phillips and Dream Talent Crew.
Formed in 2003, Looking Ahead works with young performers to provide individual and family counseling with education, leadership development, and community service initiatives.