Annual Report 2015/2016

ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LETTER

SEASON 30 — CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!

While our Ensemble has made theater together since 1985, our business began anew in 2009. We believe the soul of Blues lives in our art. We experienced a phenomenal 30th anniversary season “Seeing is Believing”! Working in Ensemble theater demands collaboration, self- awareness, and an unwavering belief that the collective is stronger than its individual members. It also requires unconditional love and trust from both its artists and supporters. After three decades, our legacy in Chicago’s theater history is just starting.

We began the season with our Joseph Jefferson Award-nominated play The Rainmaker. In addition to receiving accolades from the Joseph Jefferson committee for scenic design and director too, our production received a rave review by The Wall Street Journal. Ensemble members Ed Blatchford, Sarah E. Ross, Christopher J. Neville, Lauri Dahl, Steve Key, Artistic Affiliates Kathryn Lochert and Elyse Dolan were involved with this beautiful show.

Next, we broke box-office records with It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!. This marked the first year I directed our holiday classic and hired Ensemble member Michael Mahler as the music director. We revamped the pre-show music, added another scene from Frank Capra’s film, and included a quiz show with prizes. Fourteen Ensemble members and Artistic Affiliates worked on this annual favorite. We were proud to host a dedicated performance for the residents of Misericordia.

We proudly produced the Chicago premiere of the solo show Looking Over the President’s Shoulder written by Artistic Affiliate James Still. Mr. Still spoke at a special audience engagement event, and Alonzo Fields’s family attended a performance. Ensemble member Manny Buckley was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance and won the 2016 Black Excellence Award from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago.

We closed our mainstage season with the Chicago revival of Little Shop of Horrors. This Jeff Award-nominated musical is the longest-running show of our thirty-year history. The Joseph Jefferson committee also recognized Ensemble members Austin Cook for music direction and Sarah E. Ross for artistic specialization of puppetry. Twelve Ensemble members and Artistic Affiliates were involved in this spectacular production.

Our auxiliary programming grew and strengthened our impact in Chicago. The Lincoln Project, our free arts education program to Chicago Public Schools, doubled in service and recognition of student playwrights. We produced 10 world-premiere 10-minute plays in our annual Ripped: The Living Newspaper Festival; produced an additional Ripped event to benefit Anixter Center; developed the world-premiere play TRANSit through Blueprint Development; and named The Wind and the Breeze as the winner of the 2016 Blue Ink Playwriting Award. We also instituted industry nights, college nights, touch tours, and audio described performances to build our audiences.

Support of our art increased through individual donations, foundations, and corporate giving. Some of our new contributors include The Chicago Community Trust’s coveted SMART Growth grant, Prince Charitable Trusts, Northern Trust Bank, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Finally, we moved our administrative office and rehearsal space to the Ravenswood corridor to improve efficacy and best practices. This welcome change is just another example of prudent growth. Since our rebirth in 2009, we’ve never run a deficit.

We look forward to the next thirty years! —Gwendolyn (Wendy) Whiteside

Photos by Johnny Knight. On the cover: Ensemble member Michael Mahler in Little Shop of Horrors. Above: Gwendolyn Whiteside at 2016 Blue Bash.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016

Contents

Our Family 6 About American Blues Theater 8 Honors & Significant Achievements 9 Season 30 Productions 10 Arts Education 15 New Work Development 16 Financial Balance Sheet 17 Fiscal Snapshot 18 Corporate & Foundation Sponsors 19 Donors 20 “Low Down Dirty Blues” 23

Photo by Johnny Knight. Ensemble member Steve Key and Linsey Page Morton in The Rainmaker.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

OUR FAMILY

Our diverse and multi-generational artists are the second-oldest professional Equity Ensemble theater in Chicago. Our 37-member Ensemble has over 530 combined years of collaboration on stage.

As of 2016, our theater and artists received over 186 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and over 31 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. Our artists are honored with Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards, and numerous other accolades.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

OUR FAMILY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2015/2016 term, as of June 30, 2016)

Matthew Hafter, President Burton X. Rosenberg, Vice-President Phil Calian, Vice-President Lawrence Schulman, Treasurer Keith A. Karlson, Secretary Heather Barnfield Manny Buckley Brian Carothers Jill DeVaney Joan Esposito Photo credit by Johnny Knight. (l to r): Andrea McNaughton, Brian Carothers, Douglas Gourley Larry Schulman, Heather Barnfield, Matt Hafter, Phil Calian, Ross C. Hemphill Glenn Weiss, Matthew Tassone, & Lorenzo Rush Jr. Andrea McNaughton Gerald Pauling Matthew Tassone Glenn Weiss Gwendolyn Whiteside, ex-officio Chip Pringle, in memoriam “Exceptional!”

The Wall Street Journal

A R T I S T I C A F F I L I A T E S

Dana Black Christina Gorman Kathryn Lochert Rick Sims Kristin DeiTos Shawn J. Goudie Eric Lynch Nathan Singh Joe Dempsey Sarah Hughey Rohina Malik Chuck Smith Paul Deziel Izumi Inaba Camille Robinson James Still Elyse Dolan Samantha C. Jones Grant Sabin Michael Trudeau Olympia Dukakis James Joseph Richard Shavzin Wandachristine Tom Geraty Zach Kenney Sandy Shinner Dennis Zacek

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

ABOUT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

VISION American Blues theater is a premier arts organization “Everything that is so remarkable, with an intimate environment that patrons, artists, so rich and treasurable about Chicago’s and all Chicagoans call home. storefront theater scene is embodied

MISSION in American Blues Theater.” American Blues Theater explores the American identity Lawrence B. Johnson through the plays it produces and communities it serves. Chicago on the Aisle

COMMUNITY SERVICE We believe it is an honor and duty to serve our community. We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations’ great causes through creative collaborations. Using the theme of each script we produce, we choose community partners for every production during our season.

This season we distributed promotional materials (CommunityHealth Chicago, Chicago Park District’s Community Garden, & IL Farm Bureau) and provided complimentary tickets (USO, Misericordia, Anixter Center, Adler University, Girl Scouts of IL, & DuSable Museum). We continued to provide accessibility services such as touch tours and audio described performances.

We donated proceeds from our “Pink Previews” to The Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research. In addition, all proceeds from RIPPED: The Living Newspaper Festival were used to fund our arts education program The Lincoln Project that serves 1,500+ Chicago Public School students annually.

Top photo by Elyse Dolan. Misericordia at It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!. Bottom photo by Johnny Knight. Winners of The Lincoln Project high school script award at the 2016 RIPPED: The Living Newspaper Festival.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

HONORS & SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TOP HOLIDAY The Wall Street Journal SHOW OF 2015

BEST ACTRESS 2015 Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times NOMINATION NOMINATIONS The Wall Street Journal Newcity Solo Performer Musical—midsize

Chicago Reader (Manny Buckley*) Music Director Time Out Chicago (Austin Cook*) Windy City Times Artistic Specialization (Sarah E. Ross*) Chicago Magazine 2016 BLACK

WGN, ABC, NBC, CBS EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINATIONS BROKE BOX-OFFICE WXRT, WBEZ FOR ACTING Production—midsize RECORD FOR MUSICAL and many more… African American Director (SALES AND PATRONS) Arts Alliance (Ed Blatchford*) BROKE BOX-OFFICE of Chicago LONGEST RUNNING AWARD RECORD FOR HOLIDAYS (Manny Buckley*) PRODUCTION IN Scenic design-midsize (sales and patrons) BLUES’ HISTORY (Sarah E. Ross*) * Ensemble member of Blues.

ADDITIONAL HONORS SIGNIFICANT ACHEIVEMENTS FOR ENSEMBLE & ARTISTIC AFFILIATES FOR WORK DEVELOPED AT AMERICAN BLUES

Ensemble member AUSTIN COOK named in Chicago Tribune’s The adaptation of NATIVE SON, originally commissioned Top 10 Performances of 2015 for work at Porchlight Music Theatre. by American Blues to Ensemble member Nambi E. Kelley, He also made Newcity’s Players List for 2016. was published by Samuel French , Inc. The script received numerous productions across the United States. Ensemble member MICHAEL MAHLER won a Jeff Award—New Work for The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Mercury Theatre). TRANSit, commissioned by American Blues to Ensemble member Darren Canady, had a developmental Ensemble member NAMBI E. KELLEY was a finalist workshop and will receive a full production at Blues in fall 2016. for the 2015 Primus Prize in playwriting. Winner of the 2015 Blue Ink Playwriting Award, Ensemble member LINDSAY JONES was nominated for a OTHER THAN HONORABLE by Jamie Pachino, Jeff Award—Sound Design for work at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. will receive a full production at Geva Theater in New York.

Artistic Affiliate ROHINA MALIK was nominated for a Winner of the 2012 Blue Ink Playwriting Award, Jeff Award—New Work for Yasmina’s Necklace (16th St Theater). AMERICAN MYTH by Artistic Affiliate Christina Gorman, received a full production in Arizona. Artistic Affiliate RICK SIMS was nominated for a Black Theater Alliance Award in Sound Design for work at Congo Square Theatre. Three new commissions were awarded between 2015-2016.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

SEASON 30 PRODUCTIONS

WINNER OF THE 2 ADDITIONAL JEFF AWARD FOR JEFF AWARD SCENIC DESIGN! NOMINATIONS INCLUDING PLAY & DIRECTOR.

Photo by Johnny Knight. (l to r): Matt Pratt, Danny Goldring, & Linsey Page Morton.

Highly recommended—The Wall Street Journal

THE RAINMAKER “Blues has done it right as rain!” August 28 — September 27, 2015 The Wall Street Journal by N. Richard Nash Directed by Ensemble member Edward Blatchford “Transformative magic” Plain and hardworking Lizzie Curry finds herself falling, Chicago Sun-Times against her better judgment, for a traveler who promises to bring rain to her family's dry Midwest town. Best Actress of 2015 The Wall Street Journal

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

SEASON 30 PRODUCTIONS

BROKE ALL BOX OFFICE RECORDS!

Celebrated our 300th performance

Photo by Johnny Knight. (l to r): Artistic Affiliates James Joseph, Zach Kenney, & Ensemble member John Mohrlein. Chicago’s Annual Tradition since 2002 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! Dean Richards’ list! Recommended November 20 — December 27, 2015 from Frank Capra’s film by WGN, CBS Chicago, NBC, ABC, Directed by Producing A.D. Gwendolyn Whiteside WXRT, WBEZ, Chicago Tribune, Sun- Music direction by Ensemble member Michael Mahler Times, Chicago Magazine, Newcity’s

From the moment you walked through the doors, you “Best of Chicago”, & the Reader. were transported back to the Golden Age of Radio and experienced the Frank Capra holiday classic as a 1940s Over the years, our production radio broadcast with live Foley sound effects, an original score, and a stellar cast of eight that brought the entire entertained 40,000 patrons in Chicago. town of Bedford Falls to life.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

SEASON 30 PRODUCTIONS

WINNER OF 2016 JEFF AWARD BLACK EXCELLENCE NOMINATION AWARD FOR ACTING FOR FROM SOLO AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS ALLIANCE OF CHICAGO. PERFORMANCE.

Photo by Johnny Knight. Ensemble member Manny Buckley. Chicago Premiere LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT’S SHOULDER

February 5 — March 6, 2016 “For history buffs!” by Artistic Affiliate James Still Chicago Tribune Directed by Timothy Douglas

Alonzo Fields, the grandson of a freed slave, was forced by the “Played to perfection!” Depression to give up his dreams of becoming an opera singer. Around the Town Fields accepted the job at the White House and served 21 years. The tour-de-force solo play tells the unique perspective of James Still serving four U.S. presidents and their families: Herbert Hoover, spoke at a Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. Town Hall!

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

SEASON 30 PRODUCTIONS

3 JEFF AWARD NOMINATIONS!

Photo by Johnny Knight. (l to r): Ensemble members Ian Paul Custer, Michael Mahler, & Dara Cameron. Chicago Revival LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS “Dream collaboration” April 29 — July 31, 2016 Book & lyrics by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken Chicago Tribune Directed by Jonathan Berry Music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook “Broadway worthy!”

For years, Little Shop of Horrors has made audiences scream Showbiz Chicago with laughter. In the gleefully gruesome musical, Seymour, a poor florist’s assistant, allows his craving for fame and fortune LONGEST RUNNING to seduce him into playing nursemaid to a man-eating plant. SHOW IN OUR HISTORY

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

SEASON 30 PRODUCTIONS

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Photo by Johnny Knight. Martha Razo. The Original. Est 2009 RIPPED: The Living Newspaper Festival Playwrights included: CPS students, May 12, 2016 by various artists Darren Canady, Larissa FastHorse, Keith Huff, Cecilie Keenan, Rohina Malik, Martha Razo, Since 2009, we’ve produced 15 events and utilized 430+ Elaine Romero, Ron West, Gwendolyn incredible artists from across the United States. Based on Whiteside, & Li-ning Yeh. the 1930s WPA era program that brought Orson Welles, Arthur Miller, Richard Wright, and Clifford Odets into public attention, we present 10-minute scripts and performances Benefit inspired and ripped from today’s headlines. for

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

ARTS EDUCATION

Serving

1,500+ CPS students annually

Photo by Elyse Dolan. (l to r): Professional actors/teaching artists during The Lincoln Project.

Arts Education in CPS “Wonderful opportunity THE LINCOLN PROJECT to see history in action!” September 2015 — June 2016 Nathalia Washington, CPS teacher Conceived & adapted by Gwendolyn Whiteside from Artistic Affiliate James Still’s play The Heavens Are Hung in Black “I learned it’s okay to say your feelings!” Our innovative program aligns with Illinois Learning th th Standards to engage 5 – 10 graders of the circumstances Miguel, CPS student FREE PROGRAM leading to the Emancipation Proclamation. Students watch scenes performed by professional actors, participate in OVER 40+ discussions, and most importantly, write their own plays. NEIGHBORHOODS

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT

Commissions, One of the nation’s workshops, largest playwriting & staged-readings. competition with prizes.

Photo by Johnny Knight. (Front l to r): the cast of The Wind and the Breeze, winner of the 2016 Blue Ink Playwriting Award.

Nationally Renowned ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT “Wendy Whiteside’s ability to suggest cuts, revisions, Blueprint Development (commissions, workshops, & readings) and rewrites that streamlined and strengthened Annual Blue Ink Playwriting Award the play’s dramatic arc was uncanny; her mastery Ripped: The Living Newspaper Festival of dramatic form and technique, and her instincts for what would strengthen the play without compromising American Blues Theater is committed to developing the either its power or its poetry are a wonderment.” classic plays and musicals of tomorrow. More than 60% of - Steve Scott, director, Goodman Theater Artistic Associate our theatrical events are world and Chicago premieres. We received over Winning scripts of the Blue Ink Playwriting Award receive 2 workshops held world premieres and second premieres across the country. 350 submissions for the between 2015-2016. Blue Ink Playwriting Award

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

FINANCIAL BALANCE SHEET

American Blues Theater is carefully managed and has never run a deficit. In addition, we have always passed our audits, named as a Top-Rated Non-Profit for the fourth consecutive year by Great Non-Profits, and maintain the Gold Level for fiscal transparency by Guidestar.

Our current fiscal year closed on June 30, 2016 with $80,350 in assets. Our contributed income is $456,517 (39% individuals; 50% foundations; 10% corporations) with earned revenue of $327,135 (79% program services; 21% merchandise & events) against $708,822 in expenses.

Since our first operating year FY10, we’ve grown our net assets to $518,740. See our consolidated balance sheet below, last audited by Mann Weitz & Associates LLC. in August 2016.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY UNRESTRICTED TEMPORARILY 2016 TOTAL 2015 TOTAL RESTRICTED

Total Earned Income $327,135 — $327,135 $327,628 Total Public Support 356,517 100,000 456,517 367,090 Other Income 5,520 — 5,520 4,304 Released from Restriction 92,000 (92,000) — —

TOTAL INCOME 781,172 8,000 789,172 699,022

TOTAL EXPENSES 708,822 — 708,822 592,046

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 72,350 8,000 80,350 106,976

NET ASSETS—BEGINNING OF YEAR 386,371 52,019 438,390 331,414

NET ASSETS—END OF YEAR 458,721 60,019 518,740 438,390

Audited statement—August 2016.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

FISCAL SNAPSHOT

0% REVENUE 0% BY SOURCE 38% 48% 42%

Earned 62% 52% 58% Investment* 0%

Contributed FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 *Across three fiscal years, no investments have been made.

5% EXPENSES BY FUNCTIONAL 10% 8% GROUPING 9% 9% Program 81% 83% 89% Administrative 6%

Fundraising FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

FOUNDATION SPONSORS

THE DAVEE FOUNDATION

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN PART BY

Actors’ Equity Foundation, Anixter Foundation, Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation, Carlson Law Offices, SMART Growth Grant, Aquitaine Restaurant, Bacino’s of Lincoln Park, Bunches, & Goose Island Brewing.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

DONORS

We are honored to recognize the following contributors who enable American Blues Theater’s artistic programming and educational initiatives. This list includes donations from our True Blue Annual Fund, GutterBall, Blue Bash, production sponsors, and other contributions given July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

$25,000 and above Anonymous Scott Gordon and Chris Johnson Gordon The Chicago Community Trust Craig and Linda Grannon INDIVIDUAL The Davee Foundation Will and Julie Hobert John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Matt and Jenn Kueker Prince Charitable Trusts Mitch Marinello and Dr. Nancy Young GIVING Burt and Sheli Rosenberg Libby and David Savner Seyfarth Shaw LLP $10,000—$24,999 Carol and David Stone Highest donation Anonymous Howard Walker $25,000 Phil and Jill Calian Glenn and Lynn Weiss ComEd Darrel and Shirley Whiteside Lowest donation Eurex $1 Brenda and James Grusecki $500—$999 Kimberlee Herold Actors’ Equity Foundation # of gifts The Shubert Foundation Richard and Jo Ann Beck 462 Katherine Berry

$5,000—$9,999 Richard Blass Anixter Foundation Ed and Laura Blatchford Average donation Marcy and Greg Carlin Keith Carlson $345 Hayford Family Foundation Craig and Karen Carothers Anne Kaplan Tyson Carter and Sarah Nowak Northern Trust Matt and Hillary Ebach Leonard X and Arlene Rosenberg Joan Esposito Gwendolyn Whiteside and Ian Van Handel Elizabeth Foster Anne and Keith Moffat $2,500—$4,999 The Philip J. & Carol J. Lyons Foundation Anonymous Ben and Nancy Randall

Robyn and Jordan Allen Vince and Kerry Teninty

Melanie Bishop Barbara and Randy Thomas Blue Cross Blue Shield Tyler and Sarah Welch Highest donation Brian Carothers $25,000 Jill DeVaney $250—$499 Matt and Beth Hafter Dawn Bach and Rawl Thurman Lowest donation Joel Kaplan Larry Brandenburg $25 Mike and Trudy Kelly Kate Buddeke Andrea McNaughton Thomas and Meg Claggett # of donors Larry Schulman and Chris Poggianti Cary Goldberg and Lisa Grant 46 Matthew and Sharon Tassone Shepard Gould Keith Karlson and Erica Bankowski Average donation $1,000—$2,499 John and Judith Keller $2,352 Heather Barnfield John and Jackie Mohrlein

Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation Mira Mrcela David and Sissy Coffin David Murdoch J.A. Friedman Suzy Petri and Robert Breuler

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

DONORS

$250—$499 cont’d Heath Mitts Erin Quigley Michael N. Moore Xerox Cynthia Neville Office Depot $100—$249 Julie Paradise Anonymous Bill and Rachel Payne Roz Alexander and Sam Grozdin Roxanne Perillo Mark Barnfield Marge Punter Dana Black Shelly and Irene Reitman Manny Buckley and Steve Wroten Roche Schulfer Rosie Burke Steve Scott Michael Cainkar Joel and Shelley Siegel Karen Callaway Jennifer and Scott Stephen Carlson Law Offices Tracy Sullivan Rick Cleveland Lori Swalla Neil Cohen Jill Swartzmiller Jeannette Cole Kevin Tottis Mike Colky Anthony Urbik Ted Cornell Timothy Vigue Laura Dahl Juan Villa James Dobrovolny Nell and Jim Walenda Timothy Douglas Jennifer and John Washington Rita Dragonette Clay Wolff Deanna Dunagan Amanda and Jarrod Zimmerman Kyle and Sadie Finke Chris and Lisa Foley Blues is grateful for every contribution. Gina Foley We regret that due to space limitations Ray Garza we’re unable to list donations under $99. James Goodridge Please accept our deepest appreciation Kathy and John Goudie as every donation makes a difference! Heather and Roger Grum Lois and Jim Hobart Blue Bash attendees Michelle and Glenn Holland 119 Mary and David Hood Kirk and Kim Hoopingarner # of gifts Katherine Johnson 133 Lindsay Jones and Jamie Pachino Nicholas Kalm Highest auction item price Katey Key and Philip Desforges $4,500 Steve Key Holly Kohli Live Auction total Maria Kolb $17,200 Ed Kross Linda Kuehn Jim Leaming and Carmen Roman Pledge of Allegiance Fund Drive Howard Levinson $36,743.91 Michael Mahler and Dara Cameron Kelli Marino Photos by Johnny Knight. (L): Board Megan McCann member Matthew Tassone. (Above): Marcie McVay and Dennis Zacek Ensemble member John Mohrlein and April Meyers Jeanne Martineau.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

DONORS

1 3

4 8 9 10

6 5

Photos by Johnny Knight. 1) Brian Carothers. 2) Ian Van Handel, Andrea McNaughton & Burt Rosenberg. 3) Julia Grum. 4) Sissy Coffin & Manny Buckley. 5) Tyson Carter & Keith Karlson. 6) Craig Grannon & Kirk Hoopingarner from The Davee Foundation. 7) Britt & Jill DeVaney. 8) Ray Garza & Joan Esposito. 9) Lorenzo Rush Jr. sings for the crowd. 10) Kimberlee Herold & Kate Buddeke. In-Kind Contributions Aquitaine Restaurant Gibson Restaurant Group Porchlight Music Theater A Red Orchid Theatre Goodman Theater Raven Theater Dawn Bach Goose Island Brewing Ray’s Bucktown B&B Bacino’s of Lincoln Park Doug Gourley Rivers Casino Heather Barnfield Greenhouse Theater Center Burt and Sheli Rosenberg Barrow Street Theatre Matt and Beth Hafter Lorenzo Rush Jr. Sammie Becker iO Theater Seyfarth Shaw LLP Natalie Bontumasi Joffrey Ballet Shaw’s Crab House Bunches—a flower shop Lindsay Jones Shedd Aquarium Greg Carlin Keith A. Karlson Shepard, Schwartz, & Harris Brian Carothers Steve Key Amy Slyfield Tyson Carter Johnny Knight Steep Theatre Chicago Bears Jim Leaming Steppenwolf Theater Chicago Bulls Lettuce Entertain You Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Chicago Cubs Deborah Liverett Joe Streeto Chicago Shakespeare Theater Lookingglass Theatre Matthew Tassone Chicago Symphony Orchestra Lyric Opera Nia Tavoularis Chicago White Sox Michael Mahler TimeLine Theatre Chicago Wolves Anne and Keith Moffat Two Brothers Brewing Company Paula Conrad John Mohrlein Veronique’s Floral Austin Cook Montage Laguna Beach “Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me” Court Theatre Namaskar Yoga WBEZ Days Inn Chicago Christopher J. Neville Glenn Weiss Jill DeVaney Northlight Theater Gwendolyn Whiteside and Ian Van Handel Joan Esposito NPR Whole Foods Photos by Johnny Knight. Eurest Paramount Theater Windy City Playhouse (Top): Artistic Affiliate Kathryn Lochert. Eye to Eye Interiors Petterino’s Writers’ Theater (Bottom): Mark Olen.

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

“LOW DOWN DIRTY BLUES”

NOTHING DIRTY ABOUT THIS BLUES INFORMATION.

military personnel Actors, designers, directors, honored playwrights, & teachers 33 RECEIVE EQUAL PAY though a 2015 regardless of union affiliation. “Soldier Spotlight” . (No gender pay gap either!)

For the 5,000+ cookies we bake for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, we use: 25 lbs of sugar ~ 14 lbs of brown sugar ~ 6 lbs of butter ~ 30 lbs of flour 8 lbs of chocolate chips ~ 5 lbs of oatmeal ~ 2 lbs of raisins ~ 90 eggs.

Low-income students who are highly engaged Every student who participated in in the arts are more than 86% The Lincoln Project of the schools we taught twice received personal school The Lincoln Project are considered as likely to graduate supplies and a certificate college as their peers economically disadvantaged of achievement from by the City of Chicago. with no arts education. American Blues Theater. Americans for the Arts, 2013 Photo by Johnny Knight. (l to r): Eunice Woods, Artistic Affiliate Camille Robinson, & Jasondra Johnson in Little Shop of Horrors.

OVERHEARD IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE DURING 2015 - 2 0 1 6 : “How do you know where the lake is? We’re not seagulls!” ~ “Who do you think counted things before you?” ~ “My face stopped the boxes!” “Teamwork to make the dream work!” ~ “I love a chevron.” ~ “Hair is basically thread.” ~ “My physics beat your physics.” ~ Q. “Do you prefer big spoon or little spoon?” A. “For cuddling or for eating?”

2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFIC E 4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 221 Chicago, IL 60640

AmericanBluesTheater.com (312) 725-4228 voicemail

American Blues Theater is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent of the law.

Photo by Johnny Knight. Ensemble member Manny Buckley 2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT in Looking Over the President’s Shoulder AMERICAN by Artistic BLUESAffiliate JamesTHEATER Still.