When tragedy struck the Roberts family, the laughter and love provided by their friends at the Canyon Theatre Guild helped them persevere.
For 11 years, the Roberts clan has been involved in the productions put on by the guild; Perry working backstage; mother, Ines, serving as Director of Administration; and father, Kelly, and daughter Gabriella performing on stage.
After graduating from high school, Perry Roberts moved to New York City to pursue his career, but recently returned to the Santa Clarita Valley to be with his family. Not long after coming home in September, he fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Initially, doctors did not expect for the 22-year-old to survive his injury, but his parents refused to give up, and are slowly nursing their son back to health.
After spending over a month in the Intensive Care Unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, the family moved Perry to a subacute rehabilitation center in the San Fernando Valley.
With the cost of hospital bills and gas going to and from the hospital, the family is in need of some extra help despite his father, Kelly, working two extra jobs in addition to his real estate career.
To help, the Canyon Theatre Guild community is rallying around the Roberts family to help ease the burden of some of their expenses.
In the best way they know how, the organization is helping by providing entertainment.
“Their sense of humor is pulling the family through,” event organizer and friend Carol Rock said. “We’re just trying to do as many things to help as we can.”
On Dec. 8, the group will host an improvisational comedy show with their improv troupe, The Big Sandwich Theatre Company.
“It’s just a few funny people coming together to put on a show for a theater family member,” Wade Bradford, a member of the improv group said. “We will celebrate as a community by laughing together. Attendees can give the Roberts family a hug and wish them well or write them a check.”
The festive-themed event, titled “Holiday Hams,” will be held at The Main in Old Town Newhall at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for those 16 and younger.
Tickets are available at the door or at atthemain.org.
For those who would like to donate financially, Rock set up a gofundme page for the family, which has currently raised nearly $1,000.
