Poker Classic Benefits the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab

More than 300 actors, voice-over stars, poker players and party guests landed at the illustrious Museum of Flying in Santa Monica last Saturday night for the Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s  4th Annual Poker Classic and Party. Supporters played in the heated poker tournament and posed for pictures, including much-coveted shots with Airplane! star and host Robert Hays in the cockpit. Surely, we’re completely serious!

Actors, voice-over talent and poker players who turned out to support the Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab included Powers Boothe, Joe Cipriano, Sharon Lawrence, Fred Melamed, Paul Pape and Randy Thomas.

When guests weren’t ante-ing up, they flocked to the Flight Simulator sponsored by New Trails Productions, played in other casino-styled games, mugged for free shots in the photobooth, and danced the night away under a canopy of vintage aircraft. Party guests entered the big raffle with over 21 exclusive items and walked away with everything from a private IMAX screening to a Portable Recording Studio (valued at $3500). The two “Pilot” sponsors of the Poker Classic were Benztown and New Trails Productions along with “Co-Pilot” sponsors Integrated Wealth Management and Jim Tasker, VIP suite sponsor Edge Studios, and more. Over 75 sponsors and donors pitched in to ensure everyone went home a winner!

“It was a fierce night, filled with friendship and more poker faces than I care to remember! The unity of this group is something to behold, and they definitely know how to have a good time!” said Host Robert Hays.

“The first time we did this was in my backyard, so we’ve definitely moved up,” said Joe Cipriano, Co-Founder of the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab. “This event is how we’re able to continue to offer all of our workshops, seminars and everything we do at the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab for free for anyone who’s into voiceover.”

The Grand Prize winner of the tournament was voice-over artist and actress Julie Marcus. Marcus won a package including a 3-night stay at the Hilton Los Cabos, two first class tickets on United Airlines, a Dunkin’s Diamonds watch and more.

The SAG Foundation Poker Classic and Party is the major annual fundraiser for the SAG Foundation’s Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab, a state-of-the-art voice over facility that offers free workshops, seminars and demonstrations led by industry experts for voice-over artists. The fully-equipped studio also allows voice-over artists to perfect their craft by making demo reels and recording auditions, all at no cost.