2018 ANNUAL REPORT
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
This past fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018) was an $24,034,366. The extremely busy and productive year for MOT. I am grateful for Campaign’s overall goal the participation and commitment of our Board, Trustees and is $50 Million, to be our hard working staff. Together we have accomplished much paid over the five-year and, as always, still have opportunities and challenges ahead. period ending June 30, Following are some of the highlights of the past year from my 2022. We continue to perspective: be optimistic, and are focused on several large • We continue to reshape our Board of Directors consistent potential gifts that would with objectives of increasing diversity, broadening our get us to our goal. I am geographic presence and bringing on the “next generation” pleased to report that of supporters. The Nominating Committee also continues 100% of our Board of to upgrade our by-laws and procedures and has developed Directors have signed ways to improve communication among board members and commitments to the patrons. I thank the following long-serving members who Campaign. I encourage have retired from the Board of Trustees: John and Marlene those members of the Boll, Thomas and Vicki Celani, Reva Grace, Monica Moffat, Board of Trustees who R. Jamison Williams, Jr. Chairman of the Board Graham and Sally Orley, Brock and Katie Plumb, Dulcie have not yet committed Rosenfeld, Alan Schwartz, Anthony Soave and Christopher to join us in this critical effort. To emphasize the Campaign’s and Susan Wilhelm. We welcomed the following new importance to MOT it is worth noting that our aging physical directors and trustees: Directors – Kevin Dennis, Françoise plant continues to suffer from deferred maintenance; major Colpron and Ellen Hill Zeringue, Trustees – Stephan and upgrades and/or replacement of the Opera House’s HVAC Marian Loginsky. Many thanks to the Nominating Committee systems and elevators are immediate needs. For this reason, for its excellent work in this area. The Committee consisted we continue to urge our committed donors, where possible, of its Chair, Al Lucarelli, and Gene Bowen, Betty Brooks, to accelerate payment of their pledges even as we continue Julia Darlow, Sonal Dubey, Fern Espino, Paul Ewing, Barbara fundraising. With an organization such as ours, (especially Frankel, Don Manvel, Ruth Rattner, Ankur Rungta, and Tom one that is dependent on its physical plant,) fundraising Toppin. alone is not an option. No opera company in America covers • The Finance Committee, chaired by Enrico Digirolamo, its expenses solely through ticket sales, and we continue had another busy year. Working with our resourceful and to count on you for support. We hope to close out the dedicated Chief Administrative Officer, Patricia Walker, Campaign by June 30, 2019. the Committee continues to monitor cash needs, evaluate • During the past season MOT’s principal conductor and proposed budgets, address capital improvements and artistic director Stephen Lord implemented personnel prioritize expenditures. I am appreciative of the many hours changes and additional rehearsals in the orchestra that have devoted to this Committee by these additional members: improved the quality of our productions. MOT’s productions Lee Barthel, Jim Ciroli (ex-officio), Enrico Digirolamo, Sandy continue to receive rave reviews from the media and from Duncan, Herman Frankel, and Tom Toppin. The independent our audiences. Stephen’s creative touch is everywhere. Audit Committee, formed last year, is headed by Jim Ciroli and Richard Goetz. This committee has worked proactively • Finally, from the standpoint of leadership, this year could with the Finance Committee to improve controls. Recently, not have been more challenging. While David DiChiera, we replaced our former certified public accounting firm with our founder, remained interested and involved, his health UHY LLP, a leading regional accounting firm whose report deteriorated throughout the year until his death in you will hear tonight. September. Throughout this trying period, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Brown, guided the staff • The Facilities Committee continues to assess and prioritize through a balancing act of planning for the inevitable, all the the many needs of both the Detroit Opera House and our while attending to the constant and demanding challenges parking center. The Facilities Master Plan, funded with the of a major performing arts institution. It was a challenge well help of a $100,000 grant from Quicken Loans and Albert met, culminating in a memorial service that David would have Kahn Associates, was completed in March, 2018. The plan loved and that will long be lovingly remembered by everyone has been thoroughly vetted and is being used as a key who attended. planning document for future needs. We have recently received indications of interest from several developers In closing, I continue to be grateful for David’s lifelong friendship who view our physical location as central to many needs of and his selfless commitment to Michigan Opera Theatre. We Detroit as it undergoes its own renaissance. This is a huge are fortunate to have a man of Wayne Brown’s caliber and potential opportunity and we will continue to evaluate experience to sit at the helm of MOT. As always I am appreciative whether we can leverage that interest in a way that benefits of the tireless contributions of MOT’s committed staff and MOT, the Detroit Opera House, and the community. Many thankful for the generous support of our Directors, Trustees and thanks to the Facilities Committee: Lee Barthel, Kevin Dennis, patrons. I remain enthusiastic and confident in our future under Herman Frankel, Peter Oleksiak, Paul Ragheb, Ric Sonenklar, the extraordinary leadership of Wayne Brown and his staff. and Jesse Venegas. Yours very truly, • Throughout the year, we pressed forward with the quiet phase of our Comprehensive Capital Campaign. As of June 30, 2018, we had received cash and pledges totaling Rick Williams
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Members of the MOT Family,
Thanks to you, numerous supporters, artists, and a generous community, Michigan Opera Theatre completed its 2017/18 season on a high note! From programs that took place on the stage of the Detroit Opera House | David DiChiera Center for the Performing Arts to venues throughout Southeast Michigan — including the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Macomb County, the Arthur Miller Theatre in Ann Arbor, the War Memorial in Grosse Pointe, and Holy Redeemer Church in Southwest Detroit — the artists presented by MOT contributed to advancing opera, dance, and arts education for the benefit of audiences in our region. This was further enhanced by the broadcasts that were captured by WRCJ and made available to a global audience. Appropriately, partnerships again comprised a significant focus for MOT — including the performance venues previously mentioned. Our partnership with the University Musical Society (Ann Arbor) in support of dance presentations continued with the third of a three-year award from the Community Wayne S. Brown, Foundation of Southeast Michigan. In addition, the Greater Wayne County President and Chief Executive Officer Chapter of The Links and the Detroit Tigers joined us for unprecedented partnerships in dance and opera, enhanced by shared perspectives from colleagues at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Media attention and audience reviews have provided MOT with invaluable feedback and praise for our varied programs performed by artists from throughout the globe — including Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Korea, and the U.S. Likewise, our audience-reach beyond Southeast Michigan extended to 31 states and four countries. Two thousand eighteen marked the completion of three consecutive years of the MOT Studio Artists — an initiative created by MOT Founder David DiChiera and enabled by a companion leadership award through the generosity of the William Davidson Foundation. The MOT Studio Artists have enhanced our productions, engaged with our audience and community-at-large, and strengthened their skills as creative, energetic, and committed artists. During the past fiscal year, MOT benefitted from the generosity of our principal season sponsors: Ford Motor Company (Fall Opera Season); General Motors (Spring Opera Season); Lear (Dance Season); as well as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, along with numerous foundations, corporations, and individuals. Likewise, members of the David DiChiera Society provided major support through their leadership gifts. The Campaign for a Bold Future was enhanced by a leadership gift from the Ed Levy and Linda Dresner Foundation. When combined with additional gifts declared during this quiet phase, gifts and pledges totaled $24M by June 30, 2018. I wish to express my appreciation to MOT Board Chair Rick Williams and the entire roster of the Board of Directors/Trustees, whose leadership and devotion to MOT enabled our organization to move forward. Finally, the members of the administrative team have been essential once again to enabling the realization of policies, initiatives, and program designs. I am pleased to declare that the 2017/18 season was a terrific success!
Warm regards,
Wayne S. Brown President and Chief Executive Officer
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018-2019 July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
R. Jamison Williams Margaret Allesee Marianne Endicott Nora Moroun DIRECTORS EMERITUS Chairman Pernilla Ammann Paul E. Ewing Peter Oleksiak Shelly Cooper Lee Barthel Jennifer Fischer Charlotte Podowski Marjorie M. Fisher Wayne S. Brown Richard A. Brodie Barbara Frankel Sara Pozzi Jennifer Nasser President and CEO Elizabeth Brooks Herman Frankel Paul Ragheb Audrey Rose Enrico Digirolamo Robert Brown Dean Friedman Ruth Rattner William Sandy Chair, Finance James Ciroli Richard G. Goetz Bernard Rubin Richard Webb Committee Françoise Colpron John P. Hale Ankur Rungta Joanne Danto Devon Hoover Terry Shea Cameron B. Duncan Julia Donovan Darlow Danialle Karmanos Matthew Simoncini Treasurer Ethan Davidson Barbara Kratchman Richard Sonenklar Kevin Dennis Thomas M. Krikorian Lorna Thomas C. Thomas Toppin Shauna Ryder Diggs Alphonse S. Lucarelli Jesse Venegas Secretary Sonal Dubey Donald Manvel Ellen Hill Zeringue Michael Einheuser Ali Moiin
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018-2019 July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
Kenn and Liz Allen Douglass Diggs and George Johnson Daniel and Margaret Christopher and Susan Robert and Margaret Shauna Ryder Diggs Jill Johnson Pehrson Wilhelm Allesee Enrico and Kathleen Ellen Kahn Brock and Katherine R. Jamison and Karen Sarah Allison Digirolamo Peter and Danialle Plumb Williams Daniel and Pernilla John and Debbie Dingell Karmanos Charles and Charlotte Joan Young and Thomas Ammann Mary Jane Doerr Stephanie Germack Kerzic Podowski L. Schellenberg Lourdes V. Andaya Dilip and Sonal Dubey Michael and Barbara Sara Pozzi Mary Lou Zieve Harold Mitchell Arrington Cameron B. Duncan Kratchman Waltraud Prechter Ellen Hill Zeringue Beverly Avadenka Michael Einheuser Thomas and Deborah Paul and Amy Ragheb Lee and Floy Barthel Kenneth and Frances Krikorian John and Terry Rakolta TRUSTEES EMERITI Mark and Caprice Baun Eisenberg Melvin A. Lester Ruth F. Rattner Marcia Applebaum Ginny Berberian Marianne Endicott Linda Dresner Levy and Roy and Maureen Roberts Agustin Arbulu Debra Bernstein-Siegel Alex Erdeljan Edward Levy Patricia H. Rodzik Marvin A. Frenkel Joseph and Barbra Bloch Fern R. Espino and Mado Lie David and Jacqueline Preston and Mary Happel John and Marlene Boll Thomas Short Arthur and Nancy Liebler Roessler E. Jan and Pat Hartmann Gene P. Bowen Paul and Mary Sue Ewing Stephan and Marian Audrey Rose Robert and Wally Klein Richard and Gwen Bowlby Margo Cohen Feinberg Loginsky Dulcie Rosenfeld William and Marjorie Betty J. Bright and Robert Feinberg Mary Alice Lomason Carolyn L. Ross Sandy Richard and Joanne Oscar and Dede Feldman James and Marion LoPrete Bernard and Donna Rubin Roberta Starkweather Brodie David and Jennifer Fischer Alphonse S. Lucarelli Anthony and Sabrina Paul and Janet Victor Elizabeth Brooks Marjorie M. Fisher Denise Lutz Rugiero Amelia H. Wilhelm Robert and Geraldine Ford Carl and Mary Ann Donald Manvel Ankur Rungta and Brown Fontana Florine Mark Mayssoun Bydon FOUNDING MEMBERS Wayne S. Brown and Elaine Fontana Ronald and Zvezdana Hershel and Dorothy Mr.† & Mrs.† Lynn A. Brenda Kee Barbara Frankel and Ron Martella Sandberg Townsend, Founding Charles D. Bullock Michalak Jack Martin and Bettye Donald and Kim Schmidt Chairman Thomas and Vicki Celani Herman and Sharon Arrington-Martin Alan Schwartz Mr. & Mrs.† Avern L. Cohn Michael and Mary Chirco Frankel Florence McBrien Mark and Lois Shaevsky Dr. & Mrs. John H. DeCarlo James and Elizabeth Ciroli Dean and Aviva Friedman Benjamin Meeker and Arlene Shaler Dr. † & Mrs. David DiChiera Gloria Clark Barbara Garavaglia Meredith Korneffel Terry Shea Mr.† & Mrs.† Aaron H. Avern and Lois Cohn Yousif and Mara Ghafari Eugene and Lois Miller Matthew and Mona Gershenson Thomas Cohn Richard and Aurora Goetz Phillip D. and Dawn Minch Simoncini Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Françoise Colpron Carolyn Gordon Monica Moffat Sheila Sloan Graves † † William and Kelly Connell Reva Grace Ali Moiin and William William H. Smith Mr. & Mrs. John C. Griffin Peter and Shelly Cooper Samuel and Toby Kupsky Phyllis F. Snow Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Jones † † Joanne Danto and Arnold Haberman Donald and Antoinette Anthony L. Soave The Hon. & Mrs. Wade H. Weingarden Alice Berberian Haidostian Morelock Richard A. Sonenklar and McCree, Jr. Helen Daoud John and Kristan Hale Manuel and Nora Moroun Gregory Haynes Mr. Harry J. Nederlander † Julia D. Darlow and John Eugene and Donna E. Michael and Dolores Mary Anne Stella Mr. E. Harwood Rydholm C. O’Meara Hartwig Mutchler Ronald F. Switzer and Jim Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow Jerry and Maureen Doreen Hermelin Allan and Joy Nachman F. McClure Mr. & Mrs. Richard D’Avanzo Derek and Karen Hodgson Irving Barbara Nusbaum Lorna Thomas Strichartz Lawrence and Dodie Devon Hoover Juliette Okotie-Eboh C. Thomas and Bernie Mr.† & Mrs.† Robert C. David Alan and Eleanor Israel Peter Oleksiak Toppin VanderKloot Ethan and Gretchen Una Jackman Linda Orlans James G. Vella Dr.† & Mrs.† Sam B. Williams Davidson Don Jensen and Leo Graham and Sally Orley Jesse and Yesenia Mr.† & Mrs.† Theodore O. Kevin Dennis and Jeremy Dovelle Richard and Debra Venegas Yntema Zeltzer Kent and Amy Jidov Partrich Marilyn Victor Karen V. DiChiera Gary and Gwenn Johnson Spencer and Myrna Inge Vincent Partrich
4 † Deceased Michigan Opera Theatre In Memoriam
Michigan Opera Theatre is saddened by the passing of MOT Trustees and Directors this past year. Their commitment and enthusiasm for the arts and the cultural life of our community will be missed.
Robert E. L. Perkins Christine K. Strumbos b. May 17, 1925 b. December 1, 1922 d. August 25, 2017 d. November 3, 2017 Board of Trustees 1993 - 2017 Board of Trustees 1991 - 2017
Madeleine Berman Marianne Shapero Schwartz Eugene Applebaum b. 1927 d. February 5, 2018 b. October 1, 1931 b. November 16, 1936 Board of Trustees 2001 - 2018 d. September 20, 2017 d. December 15, 2017 Board of Trustees 1978 - 2017 Board of Trustees 2006 - 2013
Judith “Judie” Sherman Florence McBrien b. November 25, 1938 d. April 17, 2018 b. May 19, 1930 Board of Directors 1994 - 2007 d. June 25, 2018 Board of Trustees 1992 - 2012 Board of Trustees 1997 – 2018
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 5 2017-2018 Events
BravoBravo Two-thousand-eighteen featured the triumphant return of Michigan Opera Theatre’s BravoBravo. On June 1, 1,200 guests attended the magnificent gala celebration, which included three floors of music and refreshments, all provided by the area’s most celebrated musicians and dining establishments, including MGM, the featured caterer for the event.
Noche Navida Through the support of sponsor, The Ideal Group, with additional support from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the William Davidson Foundation, Michigan Opera Theatre presented a free public recital by beloved Colombian-born soprano Catalina Cuervo along with members of the MOT Studio Artists. The well- attended event took place on December 9, 2017 at Detroit’s Most Holy Redeemer Church.
Take Me Out to the Opera Michigan Opera Theatre’s landmark “Take Me Out to the Opera”initiative, in support of the company’s mainstage production of Daniel Sonenberg’s The Summer King, explored the role of arts and sports in social equity and inclusion. Partnerships with 36 organizations, including the Detroit Tigers, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Public Library, the Josh Gibson Foundation, Rosedale Park Community House, and the Historic Hamtramck Stadium, the program offered an extensive series of talks, performances, workshops, and exhibits. The programs were attended by more than 8,000 people.
6 Michigan Opera Theatre IN FISCAL YEAR 2018 BY THE NUMBERS:
• Ticket buyers represent 31 states and four countries. • Total opera and dance ticket revenue grew 25% • Total opera and dance tickets sales grew 16% NYC WEEKEND HONORS RICK • 6,500 guests attended pre-performance talks for WILLIAMS, DAVID DiCHIERA opera and dance MOT was once again in the national spotlight this past February when OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, honored • 2,000 guests enjoyed tours board chairman, R. Jamison (Rick) Williams, with the National Opera Trustee of the Detroit Opera House Recognition Award. Recognized for his exemplary leadership, advocacy, • Group sales ticket revenue and generosity as MOT’s longest serving chairman, Rick was among six grew 34% recipients of the prestigious honor, • Dance ticket sales which was presented at an elegant represent a ten year high. ceremony, the capstone to a weekend- long celebration in New York City. • 21,000 attended At the invitation of MOT president, Community Programs/ Wayne S. Brown, an MOT contingent Education events of 30, which included directors, • 10,000 students enjoyed trustees, and members of Rick’s school touring programs family, traveled to “The Big Apple” as a surprise for Rick. In addition to the • “Take Me Out to the Trustee Recognition Awards Dinner, Opera”, an outreach MOT guests enjoyed several special receptions and attended Rossini’s initiative to support the Semiramide at The Metropolitan Opera. mainstage production of The extraordinary weekend also included a reception to honor MOT The Summer King, involved founder David DiChiera. MOT guests and OPERA America’s Board of partnerships with 36 Directors gathered at the National Opera Center (on Seventh Avenue) for separate organizations, a surprise tribute to DiChiera, which included the unveiling of the “David and served over 8,500 DiChiera Overlook,” a busy individuals staircase connecting the • 30 Opera Clubs events 7th and 8th floors of the National Opera Center. • 5,000 attended Opera DiChiera, who once served Clubs and Overtures as the president of OPERA events. America, was honored • 1,300 attended for his stewardship of the Ambassador events organization and its many innovative programs, as • 3,000 attended MOT well as his legacy in the field community concerts of American opera. The • 20,000 attended Broadway naming of this space was performances made possible through the generosity of members of • Detroit Opera House CAROL LAZIER, SANTA FE OPERA, RICK WILLIAMS, Rental Revenues exceeded MOT’s board of directors TIMOTHY O’LEARY: OPERA AMERICA BOARD CHAIR, and trustees. AND JOHN NESHOLM, SEATTLE OPERA. company goal by 31%
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 7 2017-2018 EVENTS AT THE DETROIT OPERA HOUSE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 CONCERTS, PERFORMERS, AND EVENTS:
CONCERTS AND PERFORMERS: GRADUATIONS: American Ballet Theatre – “Romeo and College for Creative Studies – Detroit Juliet” (Michigan Opera Theatre and Edison Academy - Detroit University Musical Society) Henry Ford Academy “An American in Paris” (Broadway in International Academy – Bloomfield Hills Detroit) Martin Luther King High School - Detroit Bob Anderson – Frank the Man! Mercy High School – Farmington Hills Ballet Hispanico (Michigan Opera Theatre) University Prep High School - Detroit Kathleen Battle Recital (Michigan Opera Wayne State University Law School - Theatre) Detroit Cincinnati Ballet – “The Nutcracker” (Michigan Opera Theatre) MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS: Dance Theatre of Harlem (Michigan Opera Automotive Logistics Afterglow KATHLEEN Theatre) Ballet Detroit BATTLE Easter Jazz Spectacular! (Rick Braun, Bodman Law Firm Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, Pieces BravoBravo! Fundraiser (Michigan Opera of a Dream, Kim Waters Band, and Kirk Theatre) Whalum) Cabaret 313 “H.M.S. Pinafore” – Michigan Opera Center for Success Fundraiser Theatre Children’s Chorus Chinese Association of Greater Detroit D.L. Hughley and Friends (D.L. Hughley, Cocktails for a Cause Red Grant, and Gary Owens) Coette Club Tom Jones in Concert Dance Film Series (Michigan Opera “The Marriage of Figaro” (Michigan Opera Theatre) Theatre) Detroit Startup Conference Paul Taylor Dance (Michigan Opera Eisenhower Dance Summer Intensive Theatre) Ford Freedom Awards “Rigoletto” (Michigan Opera Theatre) Fourth Wall Theatre Workshop Shaping Sound Dance Troupe Governor Snyder’s Hometown Heroes Sistine Chapel Choir Awards 70s Soul Jam (Peabo Bryson, The Hewlitt Foundation Reception Manhattans with Gerald Alston, Jeffrey Inner City Dance Scope Osborne, and Stephanie Mills) Junior Achievement Awards Dinner “The Summer King” (Michigan Opera Lorenzo Cultural Center Theatre) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra David Sedaris Auditions “Shen Yun” Learning at the Opera House – Create and “Too Hot to Handel” (Rackham Choir) Perform “Tosca” (Michigan Opera Theatre) Learning at the Opera House - Operetta “27” (Michigan Opera Theatre) Camp “A Winter Fantasy” (Michigan Opera Maritz Corporation Event Theatre Children’s Chorus)\ MOT Annual Trustees Meeting MOT Dance Council Tap Jam WEDDINGS: MOTVA Annual Meeting Alexander and Hall Wedding PNC Bank Reception Esparza and Galvan Wedding Preservation Detroit Downtown Detroit Ewing and Murphy Wedding Theatre Tour Humes and Hurley Wedding Quicken Loans Burkett and Rollenhagen Wedding Shakespeare in Detroit Derocher and Junco Wedding George Shirley Vocal Competition Lanseur and Diggs Wedding Sorosis Literary Art Club Reception Leskevich and Abdelkacler Wedding Theatre Historical Society of America Mohammad and Macki Wedding Ties Like Me Reception Mylencla and Calvin Wedding Title Source Event Romero and O’Kelly Wedding Urban Land Institute Sarah and Tony Wedding Walsh College of Business Steele and Blake Wedding WJR Detroit Tigers Opening Day Broadcast WRCJ Live Radio Broadcasts (Michigan Opera Theatre)
8 Michigan Opera Theatre Detroit Opera House Master Facilities Plan
he Detroit Opera House (DOH) was created to solicit feedback was built nearly a century ago. from invited stakeholders via an TWhile there have been updates, interactive survey. This enabled the renovations and similar enhancements planning team to begin a dialogue over the last several decades, this with the invited stakeholders, and beautiful gem of Detroit needs more than begin to collect their concerns just TLC to remain Detroit’s premiere and aspirations for the Detroit venue for performances. In truth, the Opera House, with questions about Detroit Opera House requires a number how stakeholders perceived the of significant upgrades to optimize our Opera House in terms of image, patrons’ experience and also improve functionality, comfort, and similar conditions and accessibility. While our factors. The results were analyzed stunning home for opera and dance in and helped the team identify the Detroit remains a centerpiece for cultural priorities that the master plan performances and events in our city, would address. The final master accessibility in the Opera House can be plan includes detailed analyses of challenging for many patrons. Restrooms the existing structure, including are not easily accessible for many of our detailed mechanical and electrical patrons; the seats in the main hall dating analyses. The report incorporates back to 1996 are no longer comfortable several scenarios and possibilities, for the many patrons who attend events and makes recommendations in the Opera House; and our lobby spaces that MOT management and become very crowded during many performances. Further, our board members are currently evaluating for feasibility. The beautiful SkyDeck, which opened in 2014 and remains one of entire report is 179 pages and includes scenarios that involve the most popular wedding venues in Detroit, is challenging to expansion into the surface lot space, and others that address access and has no protection from the elements. as many of MOT’s priorities as possible without expanding the With these many challenges in mind, in 2017 MOT existing footprint. The master plan provides Michigan Opera undertook a facilities master planning process with Albert Theatre with plans to holistically address ways to leverage Kahn Associates. We are grateful for the generosity of Dan our assets to secure the long term future of MOT and the Gilbert and the Quicken Loans organization, as well as Albert Detroit Opera House while enhancing the patron experience, Kahn Associates for their generous sponsorship of the master increasing revenue generation and improving utilization of our plan. Experts from Albert Kahn Associates worked with MOT beautiful Opera House! management and board members from June 2017 through March 2018 to create and finalize the master plan. A website
FISCAL YEAR IMPROVEMENTS AND UPDATES
• Box Level — Step Lighting replaced and updated. • New Security Camera System installed in Parking Center • Exterior Signage Installed for the David DiChiera Center • Upgrade to MOT’s in-house ticketing system, Tessitura for the Performing Arts • Stage door elevator motor replaced. • Smith Lobby Timeline Expansion • Parking center repairs and updates, including repair of • Main Ladies Restroom Stall addition (5-6 stalls) concrete, sealing of joints, coating, repainting lines. • Marley Dance Floor replaced • Repair octagon box level lights/cove lights in auditorium • Parking Center — LED lighting replaced • Double oven for catering kitchen replaced • SKY DECK cut out step/build ramp from elevator for • Madison and Broadway entrance doors restored and wheeled access brass kickplates replaced. • Detroit Opera House Master Plan developed (see above) • New Railings in Balconies
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 9 Rigoletto October 14-22, 2017
The Opening Night The 2017 Fall Opera Season Performance is also Production sponsor is made possible by the supported by Ford Motor Company Rick and Karen Williams
MUSIC REVIVAL STAGE DIRECTOR WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN Giuseppe Verdi Elaine Tyler-Hall Joanne Middleton Weaver
LIBRETTO CHORUS MASTER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Francesco Maria Piave after Victor Suzanne Mallare Acton Rebecca Herman Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse SET/COSTUME DESIGN ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR WORLD PREMIERE Patrick Robertson Daniel Black Teatro la Fenice - Venice, Italy March 11, 1851 LIGHTING DESIGN SUPERTITLES Kevin Sleep Dee Dorsey CONDUCTOR Stephen Lord REVIVAL LIGHTING DESIGNER STAGE MANAGER Martin Doone Ken Saltzman ORIGINAL STAGE DIRECTOR Jonathan Miller
*Scenery and costumes were created for English National Opera and are owned by English National Opera.
10 Michigan Opera Theatre 2017-18 Opera Season
CAST (In order of vocal appearance)
The Duke of Mantua:...... Joshua Guerrero (Oct. 14, 18, 21) John Bellemer (Oct. 22) Borsa:...... Matthew DiBattista The Countess Ceprano:...... Kara Mulder Rigoletto:...... Roland Wood (Oct. 14, 18, 21) Nicholas Pallesen (Oct. 22) Count Ceprano:...... Erik Van Heyningen+ Cavaliere Marullo:...... Harry Greenleaf+ Count Monterone: ...... Kenneth Kellogg Sparafucile: ...... Christian Zaremba Gilda:...... So Young Park (Oct. 14, 18, 21) Hae Ji Chang (Oct. 22) Giovanna:...... Briana Elyse Hunter+ Maddalena:...... Nicole Piccolomini Usher:...... Matthew Konopacki Page:...... Schyler Sheltrown
+Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 11 The Marriage of Figaro November 11-19, 2017
The Ford Motor Company is the 2017 Fall Opera Season Sponsor and Student/Senior Dress Rehearsal Sponsor
MUSIC CHORUS MASTER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Suzanne Mallare Acton Christopher Hazlett
LIBRETTO SET/COSTUME DESIGN ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR Lorenzo Da Ponte Susan Benson Daniel Black
WORLD PREMIERE LIGHTING DESIGN SUPERTITLES Burgtheater – Vienna, Austria Kendall Smith Dee Dorsey May 1, 1786 WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN STAGE MANAGER CONDUCTOR Joanne Middleton Weaver Ken Saltzman Stephen Lord RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIMENT STAGE DIRECTOR Jean Schneider Production created by Michael Albano Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
12 Michigan Opera Theatre 2017-18 Opera Season
CAST (In order of vocal appearance) Figaro:...... Aubrey Allicock (Nov. 11, 15, 18) Matthew Stump (Nov. 19) Susanna:...... Devon Guthrie (Nov. 11, 15, 18) Maeve Hoglund (Nov. 19) Dr. Bartolo:...... Matthew Burns Marcellina:...... Susanne Mentzer Cherubino:...... Sarah Coit Count Almaviva:...... Stephen Powell (Nov. 11, 15, 18) Edward Nelson (Nov. 19) Don Basilio:...... Michael Day+ Countess Almaviva:..... Nicole Cabell (Nov. 11, 15, 18) Julie Adams (Nov. 19) Antonio:...... Nicholas Davis Barbarina:...... Angela Theis Don Curzio:...... Sasha Noori Bridesmaid:...... Tiffanie Waldron Bridesmaid:...... Schyler Sheltrown +Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 13 Mar. 2 & 3, 2018 MUSIC Ricky Ian Gordon Arthur Miller Theatre, Ann Arbor LIBRETTO Mar. 10 & 11, 2018 Saturday, March 11Royce Vavrek Macomb Center for the Sunday, March 12 Performing Arts REDUCED ORCHESTRATION Roberto Kalb Alice B. Toklas...... Monica Dewey+ WORLD PREMIERE Loretto-Hilton Center, St. Louis, Missouri Gertrude Stein...... Briana Elyse Hunter+ By Ricky Ian Gordon June 14, 2014 Pablo Picasso/ F. Scott Fitzgerald...... Michael Day+ 27 Leo Stein/Man Ray...... Harry Greenleaf+ Henri Matisse/ Ernest Hemingway...... Erik Van Heyningen+
+Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
CONDUCTOR STAGE DIRECTOR CHOREOGRAPHER Roberto Kalb Jeffrey Buchman Rosa Mercedes
SET DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN HAIR & MAKEUP Allen Moyer James Schuette Donald Edmund DESIGN Thomas Joanne Weaver
PRINCIPAL COACH AND STAGE MANAGER SUPERTITLES ACCOMPANIST Ken Saltzman Dee Dorsey Tessa Hartle
This project is supported in part by an award from: With additional support from:
2018 Spring Opera Season Sponsor PMS: 7406 (coated and uncoated) PMS: 282 CMYK: C0 / M18 / CMYK: C100 / M60 / Y0 / K60 Y100 / K
14 Michigan Opera Theatre Cast In order of vocal appearance
Alice B. Toklas...... Monica Dewey+ Gertrude Stein...... Briana Elyse Hunter+ Pablo Picasso/ F. Scott Fitzgerald...... Michael Day+ Leo Stein/Man Ray...... Harry Greenleaf+ Henri Matisse/ Ernest Hemingway...... Erik Van Heyningen+
+Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 15 April 7-15, 2018 Tosca
Production Sponsor: J. Ernest and Almena Gray Wilde Fund
DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Wednesday Performance Sponsor
This production is sponsored 2018 Spring Opera Season Sponsor in part by an anonymous donor
MUSIC Giacomo Puccini LIBRETTO Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s play, La Tosca WORLD PREMIERE Teatro Costanzi – Rome, Italy January 14, 1900 CONDUCTOR Valerio Galli
PRODUCTION STAGE DIRECTOR CHORUS MASTER Jose Maria Condemi Marco Pelle Suzanne Mallare Acton
SET/COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN WIG & MAKE-UP DESIGN Robert Perdziola Thomas C. Hase Joanne Weaver
ASSOCIATE STAGE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGN REPETITEUR Andrew Neinaber Joe Beumer Jean Schneider
STAGE MANAGER SUPERTITLES Ken Saltzman Dee Dorsey A Co-Production of Michigan Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, and L’Opéra de Montréal Directed by Jose Maria Condemi Scenery and Costumes Designed by Robert Perdziola Lighting Designed by Thomas C. Hase
16 Michigan Opera Theatre 2017-18 Opera Season
CAST (In order of vocal appearance)
Angelotti:...... Erik Van Heyningen+ Sacristan:...... Dale Travis Cavaradossi:....Andrea Carè (April 7, 11, 14) Noah Stewart (April 15) Tosca:...... Alexia Voulgaridou (April 7, 11, 14) Kelly Kaduce (April 15) Scarpia:...... Greer Grimsley Spoletta:...... Michael Day+ Sciarrone:...... Harry Greenleaf+ Shepherd Boy:...... Natalie Nikolajevs Khalan Isbell (understudy) Jailer:...... Erik Van Heyningen+ +Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 17 The Summer King Daniel Sonenberg May 12-20, 2018
MUSIC Daniel Sonenberg LIBRETTO Daniel Sonenberg and Daniel Nester, with additional lyrics by Mark Campbell WORLD PREMIERE Pittsburgh Opera April 29, 2017
CONDUCTOR STAGE DIRECTOR CHORUS MASTER Steven Mercurio Sam Helfrich Suzanne Mallare Acton
SCENERY AND PROPERTY DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN VIDEO DESIGN Andrew Lieberman Kaye Voyce Darrel Maloney
LIGHTING DESIGN WIG & MAKE-UP DESIGN ASSISTANT STAGE DIRECTOR Robert Wierzel Joanne Weaver Christopher Hazlett
ASSOCIATE LIGHTING REPETITEUR STAGE MANAGER SUPERTITLES DESIGNER Jean Schneider Ken Saltzman Dee Dorsey Ted Boyce-Smith
*Co-Production with Michigan Opera Theatre and Pittsburgh Opera “The Summer King” Music and Libretto Copyright 2017 by Daniel Sonenberg. 2018 Spring Opera Season Sponsor Saturday Performance Sponsor Sunday Performance Sponsor All Rights Reserved.
18 BRAVO • Spring 2017 18 Michigan Opera Theatre The Summer King 2017-18 Opera Season CAST (In order of vocal appearance) Elder Barber:...... Norman Shankle Younger Barber:...... Phillip Gay Radio Announcer:...... Raymond Very Helen Gibson:...... Jacqueline Echols Josh Gibson:...... Lester Lynch Gus Greenlee:...... Norman Shankle Judy Johnson:...... Anthony McGlaun Cool Papa Bell:...... Phillip Gay Double Duty Radcliffe:...... Darius Gillard Wendell Smith:...... Sean Panikkar Hattie:...... Nicole Joseph Scribe:...... Martin Bakari Girlfriend:...... Olivia Johnson Grace:...... Deborah Nansteel Sam Bankhead:...... Kenneth Kellogg Clark Griffith:...... Raymond Very Calvin Griffith:...... Harry Greenleaf+ Senor Alcalde:...... Moisés Salazar Mariachi Singer 1:...... Joseph Leppek Mariachi Singer 2:...... Seth Johnson Mariachi Singer 3:...... Matthew Konopacki Branch Rickey:...... Raymond Very Trash Talking Player:...... Martin Bakari Dave Hoskins:...... Branden C.S. Hood
+Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 19 2017-2018 Dance Season 2017-18 Dance Season Sponsor
Ballet Hispánico October 28 & 29, 2017
Artistic Director & CEO Founder Eduardo Vilaro Tina Ramirez
The Company Christopher Bloom Mark Gieringer Dandara Veiga Jared Bogart Alonso Guzmán Lyvan Verdecia Shelby Colona Jenna Marie Diana Winfree Nick Fearon Gabrielle Sprauve Melissa Fernandez Eila Valls
Company Manager Rehearsal Director Joshua Preston Johan Rivera
Wardrobe Director Production Stage Manager Lighting Supervisor Diana Ruettiger Nathan K. Claus Bob Franklin
Ballet Hispánico salutes Jody and John Arnhold for their visionary leadership and support. Through the generosity of the Arnhold family, Ballet Hispánico will continue to inspire communities around the world for years into the future.
MetLife Foundation is the Official Tour Sponsor BalletHispánico.org Production Copyright 2017, Ballet Hispánico of New York, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CINCINNATI BALLET The Nutcracker November 25 & 26, 2017 Choreography by Victoria Morgan Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conducted by Carmon DeLeone Scenic Design by John Ezell Costume Design by Carrie Robbins Lighting Design by Trad A Burns Staged by Johanna Bernstein Wilt, Oğulcan Borova Children’s Cast Staged by Suzette Boyer Webb Children’s Coaches: Jo Ann Cusmano and Judith Molina Mice Hip-Hop Choreography by Derrek Burbridge Arabian Dance Choreography by Victoria Morgan, with Missy Lay Zimmer & Andrew Hubbard Associate Scenic Design by Gene Emerson Friedman Associate Lighting Designer: Benjamin Gantose Assistant Lighting Designer: Adam Ditzel Wigs & Makeup by James Geier of J. Geier Designs LTD Magic Effects by Sean Owens, with Wood Herron & Evans LLP
This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the Crane Group.
20 Michigan Opera Theatre Romeo and Juliet February 8-11, 2018 American Ballet Theatre Kevin McKenzie Kara Medoff Barnett Alexei Ratmansky Artistic Director Executive Director Artist in Residence
STELLA ABRERA · ISABELLA BOYLSTON · JEFFREY CIRIO · MISTY COPELAND · HERMAN CORNEJO · DAVID HALLBERG · SARAH LANE · ALBAN LENDORF · GILLIAN MURPHY · HEE SEO · CHRISTINE SHEVCHENKO · DANIIL SIMKIN · CORY STEARNS · DEVON TEUSCHER · JAMES WHITESIDE SKYLAR BRANDT · THOMAS FORSTER · JOSEPH GORAK · ALEXANDRE HAMMOUDI · BLAINE HOVEN · LUCIANA PARIS · CALVIN ROYAL III · ARRON SCOTT · CASSANDRA TRENARY · ROMAN ZHURBIN Alexei Agoudine · Joo Won Ahn · Mai Aihara · Nastia Alexandrova · Alexandra Basmagy · Hanna Bass · Aran Bell · Gisele Bethea · Gemma Bond · Lauren Bonfiglio · Kathryn Boren · Luigi Crispino · Gray Davis · Claire Davison · Brittany DeGrofft · Zhong-Jing Fang · Scout Forsythe · Patrick Frenette · April Giangeruso · Carlos Gonzalez · Breanne Granlund · Kiely Groenewegen · Melanie Hamrick · Sung Woo Han · Courtlyn Hanson · Connor Holloway · Catherine Hurlin · Andrii Ishchuk · Anabel Katsnelson · Jonathan Klein · Erica Lall · Courtney Lavine · Virginia Lensi · Carolyn Lippert · Isadora Loyola · Xuelan Lu · Duncan Lyle · Tyler Maloney · Hannah Marshall · Betsy McBride · Cameron McCune · Elina Miettinen · Kaho Ogawa · Garegin Pogossian · Lauren Post* · Kelley Potter · Wanyue Qiao · Luis Ribagorda · Rachel Richardson · Jose Sebastian · Gabe Stone Shayer · Courtney Shealy · Sean Stewart · Kento Sumitani · Nathan Vendt · Paulina Waski · Marshall Whiteley · Katherine Williams · Stephanie Williams · Remy Young · Jin Zhang · Zhiyao Zhang
American Ballet Theatre is a co-presentation with University Musical Society THE GREATER WAYNE COUNTY CHAPTER OF LINKS INC. JOANNE DANTO AND ARNOLD WEINGARDEN Opening Night Performance Sponsor Dance Season Education Partner
KEVIN DENNIS AND JEREMY ZELTZER Saturday Evening Performance Sponsor
Dance Theatre of Harlem March 24 – 25, 2018 FOUNDERS Arthur Mitchell Karel Shook
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Virginia Johnson Anna Glass
BALLET MASTER BALLET MASTER INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER Keith Saunders Kellye A. Saunders Melinda Bloom
DANCE ARTISTS Lindsey Croop Yinet Fernandez Alicia Mae Holloway Crystal Serrano Ingrid Silva Amanda Smith Alison Stroming Stephanie Rae Williams Da’Von Doane Donald Davison Choong Hoon Lee Christopher McDaniel Nicholas Rose Anthony Santos Dylan Santos Jorge Andrés Villarini
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS Arthur Mitchell
Support for Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 2017-2018 Tour Program and activities made possible in part by: Annonymous; The Arnhold Foundation; The Arts Federation; The Dauray Fund; Ford Foundation; Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation; Howard Gilman Foundation; The DuBose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund; The Hulitar Family Foundation; Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation; John L. McHugh Foundation; Margaret T. Morris Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Thompson Family Foundation; and Xerox Foundation.
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 21 Dance Education
MOT DANCE EDUCATION is extremely Conservatory of thankful for the partnerships that have formed Music and Art at and hopes to continue to enhance Metro-Detroit Beckham benefited dancers through them. This season was very busy from the Dance for dance education at MOT thanks to many supporters. Theatre of Harlem’s Michigan’s own Eisenhower Dance hosted our annual Dancing Through Barriers - Diaspora Curriculum. This program Detroit Opera House Summer Intensive. This one-week aimed to not only get the students moving, but also inspire intensive pushed metro-Detroit dancers to their limit with them to create social change that benefits others by examining challenging choreography in modern, jazz, contemporary, our socio-cultural past, present, and future through dance and and repertory from Eisenhower Dance Detroit; taught by allied arts. Students from these schools were also bused to the professional dancers from Eisenhower Dance; Lindsay Detroit Opera House to participate in special master classes Chirio-Jazz, Molly McMullen-Modern, Katharine Larson- taught by Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers and the lecture Contemporary Ballet and Repertory, Matthew Schmitz- demonstration presented by the company. During their time Partnering and Repertory, Andrew Cribbet-Repertory. After in Detroit, Dance Theatre of Harlem instructors also provided an intense week the students showed friends and family what one-day workshops at Living Arts in Southwest Detroit and at they had learned at an informal showing in the DOH Boll Hall. Dauch Campus of the Boys & Girls Club in Detroit. The success This program continues to grow year after year and can only of these programs was proven by the students’ smiles and be expected to continue. embraces of the teachers after the short one-week program. MOT Dance kicked off the season with world renowned Ballet Detroit and Inner City Dance Scope continue to call Ballet Hispanico. Ballet Hispanico strives to connect with the Detroit Opera House their home for dance training. They communities all over the country and keep education a major both hold regular dance classes for students of all ages during component of what they do. They the evenings and weekends. In addition to work with schools and organizations regular classes that typically run parallel and place highly trained teaching to the school year, Ballet Detroit hosted artists in the classrooms to help the a successful summer intensive of 50 plus children explore dance and culture. In students from all over Michigan, Illinois, October 2017, the students at Compás and Texas. For a short time the Margo V. – Center of Music & Performing Arts in Cohen Dance Center was home to The Southwest Detroit were joined by three Bar Method Detroit, a boutique fitness members of the performing company studio offering barre classes for students to explore dance and rhythms. Ladies of all levels. The signature method uses from the age of 6 to 11 were challenged your own body weight, the ballet barre with rhythms familiar to them, but also BALLET DETROIT WITH PARTICIPANTS and a few props to create a transformative with new steps that made them shift FROM THE MERCY EDUCATION PROJECT. workout that results in long, lean sculpted weight and change direction quickly. It was a joy to both the muscles. We are happy to support these small businesses that teaching artists and students to spend this time together to help to keep our community connected and healthy. connect through dance. MOT also invited the participants and Our relationship with Inner City Dance Scope was their families to come see Ballet Hispanico on the stage at the broadened this year, as MOT worked with the company to Opera House. provide a 6-week series of dance lessons at the Dauch Campus Michigan Opera Theatre, University Musical Society and of the Boys & Girls Club on Detroit’s west side. Young people American Ballet Theatre all worked together to reach both the at that location got to learn skills in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor communities. In November 2017, and spoke enthusiastically with MOT staff about wanting to MOT provided ABT’s Make a Ballet on Tour program in both continue the program in the future. One young lady shared, ““I Priest Elementary/Middle School and Neinas Elementary. This don’t think people expect kids from my neighborhood to be able program enables public school students to create, produce, to dance. But we were able to do it. And I can tell someone else and execute an original dance work through a 1-week, in- they can do it, too.” school residency with ABT Teaching Artists. ABT also allowed Additionally, Inner City Dance Scope provided a dance two dancers from their production of Romeo and Juliet to workshop at MOT and Hamtramck Stadium’s “Youth Arts and tour around both communities giving “Meet the Artist” talks Sports” Clinic this past spring. and workshops that gave students the opportunity to ask The Margo V. Cohen Center for Dance was also the host to questions and learn from the professional dancers that have master classes and auditions for many arts programs across toured all over with American Ballet Theatre. the country including American Ballet Theatre, The Ailey Michigan Opera Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem School, Cincinnati Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Eisenhower worked together to expose local students to dance Dance, Indianapolis School of Ballet, BalletMet School, Gelsey through educational outreach. Students at Duke Ellington Kirkland Academy, and Paul Taylor Dance Company.
22 Michigan Opera Theatre Administration & Staff Wayne S. Brown MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE STUDIO SAFETY AND SECURITY President and Chief Executive Officer Tessa Hartle, Studio Principal Coach/ Darrin Cato, Stage Door Officer Accompanist A.M. Hightower, Control Center Officer Stephen Lord Michael Day, Tenor Lt. Lorraine Monroe, Supervisor Principal Conductor Cheyanne Coss, Soprano Demetrius Newbold, Control Center Officer Harry Greenleaf, Baritone Katherine DeYoung, Mezzo-soprano DETROIT OPERA HOUSE David DiChiera (In Memoriam) Allen Michael Jones, Bass PARKING CENTER Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Bolden, Event Supervisor for Parking TOURING ARTISTS OF COMMUNITY Robert Neil, Manager PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS Sopranos: Clodagh Earls, Nicole Joseph, Richard Leech, Director of Resident Artist PRODUCTION Mary Martin Programs Mezzo-Sopranos: Olivia Johnson, Rock Monroe, Director of Safety and Security, ADMINISTRATION Mimi Lanseur, Diane Schoff DOH and DOHPC Elizabeth Anderson, Production Coordinator Tenors: Mark Istratie, Joseph Leppek, John O’Dell, Director of Marketing and Artistic Administrator Sasha Noori David W. Osborne, Director of Production Kathleen Bennett, Production Administrator Baritones: Branden C.S. Hood, Frankie Piccirilli, Chief Development Officer Ken Saltzman, Stage Manager Matt Konopacki, Paolo Pacheco Andrea Scobie, Director of Education Nan Luchini, Hailli Ridsdale, Assistant Stage Pianists: Joseph Jackson, Alvin Waddles Patricia Walker, Chief Administrative Officer Managers Arthur White, Director of External Affairs MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE MUSIC ADMINISTRATION CHILDREN’S CHORUS STAFF Suzanne Mallare Acton, Assistant Music William Austin, Executive Assistant Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director Director and Chorus Master Timothy Lentz, Archivist and Director, Dianna Hochella, Assistant Director, Principal Molly Hughes, Orchestra Personnel Manager Allesee Dance and Opera Resource Library Chorus Conductor Paul Beck, Orchestra Librarian Bryce Rudder, Senior Librarian, Allesee Dance Jane Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Jean Schneider, Repetiteur and Opera Resource Library Conductor Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator TECHNICAL AND DESIGN STAFF PATRON SERVICES Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus Daniel T. Brinker, Technical Director Development Accompanist Monika Essen, Property Master and Scenic Jocelyn Aptowitz, Patron and Community Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus Artist Relations Coordinator Accompanist Heather DeFauw, Assistant Lighting Designer Hilary Blevins, Manager of Foundations Rachel Kret, Intern and Assistant Technical Director Amelia Gillis, Manager of Individual Giving Kevin Neuman, Assistant Technical Director Christy Gray, Development Administrator COMPUTER SERVICES Dee Dorsey, Supertitle Operator Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement Chris Farr, Network Administrator Shane O’Connor, Technical Assistant Assia Likomanov, Director of Corporate John Grigaitis, Information Technology Relations and Special Events Manager COSTUMES Marcy Murchison, Major Gifts Officer Suzanne M Hanna, Costume Director DANCE Rosemarie Di Rita, Wardrobe Mistress Marketing/Public Relations Kim Smith, Dance Coordinator Susan A. Fox, First Hand Mitchell Carter, Website Coordinator Maureen Abele, Margaret Bronder, Crystal Ceo, Account Executive, Real FINANCE Mary Ellen Shuffett, Patricia Sova, Stitchers Integrated Advertising James Andrews, Controller John Grigaitis, Photographer Kimberley Burgess, Rita Winters, MAKEUP AND HAIR Michael Hauser, Marketing Manager Accountants Elizabeth Geck, Assistant Wig and Makeup Erica Hobbs, Communications Manager Designer Laura R. Nealssohn, Communications DETROIT OPERA HOUSE Giulia Bernardini, Corene Bridges, Erika Consultant HOUSE MANAGEMENT Broderdorf, Kristine Clifton-Higgins, Jon Rosemond, Group Sales Associate Randy Elliott, House Manager Shannon Kozlowski, Kacilee Legato, Sonya Thompson, Data Resources Cedasha Randolph, Paige Parks, Erin Coordinator FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Puffpaff, Briana Robins, Schannon Schoenberg, Denitra Townsend, Carol Ticket Office Johnny Benavides, Building Engineer Taylor, Makhia Walker, Dayna Winalis, Sierra Tunisia Brown, Patron Services Associate, Jesse Carter, Senior Building Engineer Wingerter, Jessica Wood Ticketing Manager Dennis Wells, Facilities Manager Evan Carr, Keontay Carter and Jon David Bradley, Building Maintenance STAGE CREW Rosemond, Patron Services Associate, John Kinsora, Head Carpenter Ticketing CATERING AND SPECIAL EVENTS Holly Clement, Events Manager Frederick Graham, Jr., Head Electrician EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY Kate Mahanic, Associate Director of Sales, Pat McGee, Head Propertyman PROGRAMS Detroit Opera House Chris Baker, Head of Sound Mark Vondrak, Associate Director of Tiiko Reese-Douglas, Events Assistant Mary Ellen Shuffett, Head of Wardrobe Community Programs Robert Martin, Head Flyman Gary Gilmore, Production Electrician
IATSE Local #38, Stage Crew IATSE Local #786, Wardrobe
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 23 Program Summary 2017-18 Season MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE STUDIO
MOT STUDIO ARTISTS
n the third year of the Studio Artist bass-baritone Erik Van Heyningen. Studio Artists received advanced Program, made possible through a MOT patrons and others enjoyed individual training and mentorship from Ileadership gift by the William Davidson performances of these special artists Mr. Leech and Ms. Hartle, as well as Foundation, David DiChiera’s dream in main stage productions, as featured frequent in-depth work with acclaimed of a Resident Artist program in which artists in our regional production, coaches Martin Katz and Kathleen Kelly. emerging artists would come to Detroit and in myriad settings throughout Among the other guest clinicians and and immerse themselves in both the Southeast Michigan. Among the most artists who offered coaching and master company and the community has not exciting up-and-coming talent in classes were conductors, Stephen Lord only been realized, but has flourished opera today, the Studio Artists gained and Valerio Galli; composer, Ricky Ian in ways that perhaps only David could valuable performance experience while Gordon; star mezzo soprano Suzanne have foreseen. As each of continuing to hone their skills Menzer, baritone Roland Wood, and our Studio Artists goes out through master classes and coaches Ben Malensek and Keun-A Lee; in to the world, they take training with an array of world as well as specialists in languages, stage with them the enthusiastic class professionals, guest combat, movement, theatrical make-up, support of not only the artists, coaches, directors, and and Alexander Technique. The frequent MOT family, but an entire conductors. presence and continued mentorship of community which has As Director of Resident Dr. David DiChiera served as a constant embraced them and will Artist Programs, celebrated motivation and cherished source of follow their careers for tenor, Richard Leech inspiration for artists and staff alike. years to come. As they continued to lead the Studio The Studio Artist Program continued move on, they do so as as well as the areas of to serve as a central component of MOT’s proud ambassadors of this Community Programs and enhanced presence in the community company and their adopted RICHARD LEECH Audience Engagement. In through productions in the Detroit Opera city of Detroit. her second year as Principal House, community venues, concerts, For the 2017-2018 season, Michigan Coach/Accompanist, through her and special events. In its initiative to Opera Theatre once again engaged coaching with the Studio and her annually produce full-scale opera outside five Studio Artists, seeing the return collaboration and performances with of the Detroit Opera House in venues of mezzo-soprano Briana Elyse both Studio and Community Programs, throughout metro Detroit, MOT now Hunter; and welcoming the addition of Tessa Hartle further established herself selects and mounts its community soprano Monica Dewey; tenor Michael as a valued and vital component of productions specifically for the Studio Day; baritone Harry Greenleaf; and both programs. Throughout the season, Artist Program; for the 2017-18 season
24 Michigan Opera Theatre Phoenecia, NY. During the season, Monica Dewey made her San Francisco Opera debut as Pousette in Manon, was a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and was signed by management. Erik Van Heyningen sang Trufffaldino in Austin Opera’s Ariadne auf Naxos, and Brent Michael Smith sang several leading roles with Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts and Arizona Opera. Soprano Angela Theis continued to be a favorite of MOT and Southeast Michigan audiences singing Ricky Ian Gordon’s “27” was presented at Barbarina in MOT’s Marriage of Figaro, and performing frequently the Macomb Center for the Performing New York, where they were presented in throughout the region including our Arts, and the Arthur Miller Theater in concert at The National Opera Center’s own Summer Serenade concerts. Mezzo- Ann Arbor for which the Studio Artists Marc A. Scorca Hall as part of Opera soprano Raehanne Bryce Davis continues received outstanding critical notice by America’s Emerging Artist Recital Series. to find success on both sides of the Opera News. Beyond their performances with Atlantic, frequently performing leading Among the more than 60 community MOT, some individual achievements of roles with Vienna’s Theatre on der Wien performances featuring the Studio our Studio Artists included participation and Musicverein, as well as with her Artists were concerts and events at The in the several of the industry’s premier home company of Opera Vlaanderen, War Memorial (Arts at the Alger), The summer festivals such as Opera Theatre among others. In February, Raehanne Detroit Yacht Club; Macomb Center of St. Louis where tenor, Michael Day and received the prestigious George London for the Performing Arts; Anton Art soprano Monica Dewy were engaged as Award, and in May, made her Carnegie Center, The Scarab Club, and dozens of principal artists for their production of Hall debut in the world premiere of an Overture to Opera, Opera Club, and Take Regina, and mezzo-soprano Briana Elyse important new Oratorio by Paul Moravec Me Out to the Opera events throughout Hunter, as a Gerdine Young Artist, for about the underground railroad called Metro Detroit. Two notable highlights the world premiere of American Soldier. Sanctuary Road. Bravi to all! for the Studio were: a multicultural Baritone Jeff Byrnes returned to OTSL for holiday concert with soprano Catalina a second season singing Cuervo at Most Holy Redeemer Church the role of the Baron in Southwest Detroit; and their trip to and covering the role of Germont in La Traviata, and performing in their Center Stage Concert. Briana also participated in the Glimmerglass Festival along with bass Brent Michael Smith and Harry Greenleaf. Bass-baritone Erik Van Heyningen went to Santa Fe Opera, and tenor Joseph Michael Brent the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice in BRIANA ELYSE HUNTER AND MONICA DEWEY IN “27”
The Michigan Opera Theatre Studio program is supported by a grant from the William Davidson Foundation. MOT STUDIO ARTISTS AT THE WAR MEMORIAL
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 25 2017-2018 Season
ichigan Opera Theatre the 4th time the ensemble was invited to of Michigan Children’s Chorus’s participate in this yearly event. MOTCC • Miles Eichenhorn, a freshman comprehensive training celebrated its 10th anniversary during majoring in Music Theater at NYU’s program for young singers the annual holiday fundraiser and Tisch School of the Arts Mhas proved to be an important resource concert, A Winter Fantasy on Sunday, • Ryan Hurley, a freshman majoring in for community outreach and young December 17. In commemoration of this vocal performance at The Juilliard audience development for Michigan special occasion, several of our alumni School Opera Theatre. With the history of were invited to participate in the concert • Malaya Watson, a sophomore MOTCC spanning over 11 years, many of as either singers or speakers. Among the majoring in music composition at our alumni are now pursuing advanced participants were: Berklee College of Music and finalist in studies in undergraduate and graduate • Madeline Thibault, a graduate student American Idol programs or working in the professional in vocal performance at the University world. Nearly 350 children have of Michigan For the finale of the concert, 30 participated in this program, and our • Kristine Overman, a senior majoring alumni joined the current MOTCC on audiences have been enriched by their in vocal performance at the University stage to sing with MOTCC once again. performances year after year. Auditions were held from May through July, 2017 in which 77 children, from the 5 southeast Michigan counties in addition to children from Windsor, Ontario, were admitted into the program. Tuition remained at $550 for the Preparatory Chorus and $650 for the Principal Chorus. We awarded 6 scholarships to students who would not have been able to participate in the program without financial assistance. Weekly Monday rehearsals began on September 11. In addition to rehearsing repertoire for the concerts, the children also worked on theory and sight-singing instruction. Their first public appearance was the MOT annual board meeting in early November. During the Thanksgiving weekend, MOTCC performed in the Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker. On Friday, December 1, MOTCC sang a concert at the Christmas in Ida Festival, making it MOTCC SINGERS AT THE 2017 “WINTER FANTASY.”
26 Michigan Opera Theatre We surveyed all of our alumni and those in several outreach events in the MOTCC also orchestrated a book drive who responded lauded MOTCC, saying community. Lead by parents and and brought them as a donation to the that their participation in the program students, the service work opportunities event. influenced their lives in a very positive have grown considerably, with over 33 On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, way and even developed their lifelong choristers participating. On October the senior citizen residents at Prentiss passion for the arts. In addition to the 29, 2017, about 15 MOTCC members Apartments in Oak Park welcomed concert, there was a silent auction and participated in Mama Shue’s Apples in MOTCC with enthusiasm. The choristers raffle. The combined sang several songs and remained after fundraiser and their performance to talk and interact sponsorships for the with the seniors about music and 2017-2018 season their training with MOT. It was much equaled $27,000. appreciated and very rewarding for all in The alumni also attendance. donated $1,100 to The last outreach was in partnership underwrite the tuition with the Rotary Club of Detroit, in for participants in the which they sponsored 120 Detroit 2018-2019 season. Edison Elementary School students to MOTCC’s spring attend the dress rehearsal of MOTCC’s children’s opera H.M.S. Pinafore. One week prior to the was Gilbert & performance, the Pinafore leads and Sullivan’s H.M.S. understudies (13 singers) visited the Pinafore, directed school with an outreach presentation. by David Pulice MOTCC MEMBERS SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT Our singers discussed the synopsis, sang COMERICA PARK IN MAY 2018. and conducted by a few numbers from the show, talked Dianna Hochella. Over 2,100 students the D event. Led by two choristers, they about their experience singing in Pinafore and teachers attended the April 27, 2018 performed 2 songs and assisted with and then answered questions from the dress rehearsal. The public performance a service component of the event that students. Children, from all backgrounds, on April 28 had approximately 800 in featured recycling craft projects for the got a chance to mingle and talk about attendance. The cast consisted of only neighborhood kids. This event was in opera in this unique opportunity. In a MOTCC members and their performance partnership with Peace, Love and Planet compelling way, they helped to promote was quite extraordinary. One of our MOT who provided the recycling materials and the next generation of opera lovers. cast members from The Summer King art supplies. MOTCC also performed on MOT’s was in the audience and raved about the On December 26, 2017, 20 choristers mainstage spring productions of Tosca in children: participated in Brilliant Detroit’s Family April, and several choristers sang in The I recently had the pleasure of attending Appreciation Day, hosted by Brilliant Summer King in May. The Preparatory the final dress rehearsal for Michigan Detroit at one of their home based Chorus presented their annual recital on Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus’ HMS community centers. The children sang May 6, followed by the end of the year Pinafore while singing in a mainstage Christmas carols, as well as some of their party. It was a well-deserved celebration production with the company. I was concert music, and helped families with to congratulate the many successes of eager to support the young people and music themed craft activities and bingo. these young artists! staff involved and, frankly, to see just how a cast of children would pull off this demanding work, and I can honestly say that I was blown away…I have sung with numerous opera companies throughout the U.S. and abroad, and I have never come across a program that provides children with such valuable training and performance opportunities. The dress rehearsal was also attended by hundreds of area students, and it was wonderfully apparent just how inspired they were to see kids like them put on a performance of this caliber. Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus is truly a gift to the Detroit community, and I genuinely hope that more young people have the opportunity to take advantage of their remarkable offerings as both participants and audience members. In addition to MOTCC’s performance schedule, our singers participated MOTCC’S SPRING CHILDREN’S OPERA WAS GILBERT & SULLIVAN’S H.M.S. PINAFORE,
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 27 EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 2017-2018
he Department of Education and Community Programs has continued its Twork of bringing opera into communities all over Michigan with a regular rotation of outreach programs. In the past year, Education and Community Programs provided a variety of performances, workshops, master classes, summer programming, and events, serving over 21,000 people across the state, and showcasing opera at schools, libraries, senior centers, and community gathering spaces.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE OPERA Last season, the Department of Education and Community Programs introduced a new initiative in support of our May production of CREATE AND PERFORM The Summer King. Entitled “Take Me Out to the Opera”, and supported by funds through the Knight Arts Challenge, PNC Bank, the artists and athletes to high school students in 13 different Michigan Humanities Council, and the Max and Marjorie Fisher schools. Altogether, MOT’s touring productions gave 32 Foundation, this programming series highlighted the stories of performances in total, reaching over 10,000 students across African American artists and athletes who broke barriers on the Michigan. stage and the field, paving the way for integration. Concerts, lectures, school residencies, workshops, film screenings, CULTURAL PASSPORT WITH DETROIT panel discussions, and SCHOOLS performances all helped This past season, Michigan Opera Theatre worked with our connect the history behind partners at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony the opera to present-day Orchestra, and the Detroit Public Schools Community District issues of diversity, equity, to develop and implement a new program called Cultural and inclusion. MOT worked Passport. This program works to ensure that all elementary in collaboration with 36 aged students within the Detroit Public Schools Community separate partners, including District have access to the arts and provides young people the Detroit Tigers, the with field trips to arts organizations throughout the city. Charles H. Wright Museum In its pilot phase this past spring, 2,500 students attended of African American History, MOT productions, many experiencing live opera and dance the Main branch of the performances for the first time. The success of the pilot phase Detroit Public Library, led to the program’s expansion, and moving forward, MOT and Friends of Historic plans to serve upwards of 4,500 young people each year Hamtramck Stadium, RUMPELSTILTSKIN through the Cultural Passport program. among others, to bring programming and events to AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT over 8,500 people in Detroit Michigan Opera Theatre’s audience engagement and adult and beyond. education programs continued to set the standard among TOURING PERFORMANCES FOR YOUTH companies of our size in the United States. The total number of Opera Clubs (private, invited events), Overtures to Opera MOT’s production of La Pizza Con Funghi continued to tour (public, open, no ticket), and other engagement initiatives for high school and middle school audiences, and, for younger totaled 50 events, connecting more than 5,000 individuals to audiences, a brand-new production of David and Karen Michigan Opera Theatre and its productions in communities DiChiera’s Rumpelstiltskin, added last season in honor of from Ann Arbor to Clinton Township, and throughout Detroit David’s final year at MOT, continued its successful tour. A new and the metro area. This was made possible in part through our production entitled I, Too, Sing America was commissioned as second year of the Ambassadors program, which enables opera part of the “Take Me Out to the Opera” initiative. This multi- advocates to leverage their own passion to introduce the art media presentation combined opera with poetry, narrative, and form to diverse audiences and build new regional relationships video to bring the stories of six legendary African American for MOT. MOT was pleased to continue its valued partnerships
28 Michigan Opera Theatre with the Detroit Yacht Club, the Scarab Club, and the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, while forging new relationships with partners like Van Hoosen Farms and the Whitney. MOT continued our holiday caroling program with appearances at Detroit’s annual Noel Night, while our OperaHERE podcast, produced by our partners at WDET (Detroit’s NPR THE CULTURAL PASSPORT PROJECT BROUGHT 2,500 DETROIT STUDENTS TO THE DETROIT OPERA HOUSE. radio station), was regularly featured on WDET’s Culture Shift, reaching an various communities, a further 80 young people were served audience of 10,000 per episode. through workshops and classes with partners at All the World’s a Stage, the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, and SUMMER PROGRAMS the Macomb and St. Clair Shores YMCA locations. 24 students participated in MOT’s annual 3-week Operetta CREATE AND PERFORM Workshop, directed by Julie Smith with music direction by CONCERTS Joseph Jackson. This program served young people ages 10 Summer Serenade concerts were held this past year at Grand to 18, building their skills in singing, acting, stage movement, Circus Park, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, and the Detroit healthy vocal technique, and auditioning. Their final Zoo. These outdoor concerts, sung by Studio Artists and performance of The Sorcerer was presented on the mainstage members of the Touring Ensemble, combined opera favorites of the Detroit Opera House for an audience of more than with well-known Broadway pieces. 200 family members and friends. Operetta Workshop was The Mary Thompson Foundation funded 14 American followed by Create and Perform, a two-week program in which Songbook concerts throughout the year, which enabled students ages 8-18 collectively create their own stories, music Michigan Opera Theatre to have a presence in senior centers. compositions, and dances. This program served 24 students Held in multiple communities including Wyandotte, Hazel Park, under the direction of Madelyn Porter and Maria Cimarelli. and Grosse Pointe Farms, these concerts were always met with Students wrote and performed an original piece called Heaven an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences. One on Earth, which drew inspiration from Greek myths and told the senior center employee wrote to us, saying, “The importance of story of Detroit’s creation. Their final performance took place the arts within a community can never be underestimated; the in the Boll Hall at the Detroit Opera House. Offsite within our presentation was pure joy!”
I, TOO SING AMERICA HAD ITS PREMIERE AT THE CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.
MOT’S OPERETTA WORKSHOP PRODUCTION OF THE SORCERER.
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 29 MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA 2017-2018
Violins Bass Horn Eliot Heaton, Concertmaster Derek Weller, Principal Andrew Pelletier, Principal Laura Leigh Roelofs, Assistant Clark Suttle Carrie Banfield-Taplin Concertmaster Victoria Haltom, Principal Second Harp Trumpet Emily Barkakati Patricia Terry-Ross, Principal David Ammer, Principal Anna Bittar-Weller Gordon Simmons Kevin Filewych Flute Molly Hughes Amanda Blaikie+ Trombone Bryan Johnston Laura Larson Principal Trombone, Vacancy Henrik Karapetyan Greg Near Velda Kelly Oboe Beth Kirton Nermis Mieses, Principal Percussion Daniel Stachyra Sally Heffelfinger-Pituch John Dorsey, Principal
Viola English Horn Timpani John Madison, Principal Sally Heffelfinger-Pituch Alison Chang, Principal Scott Stefanko Barbara Zmich-McClellan Clarinet Brian Bowman, Principal + On leave Cello J.William King Nadine Deleury, Principal Detroit Federation of Musicians Local #5 Miriam Eckelhoefer Bassoon American Federation of Musicians Daniel Thomas Francisco Delgado, Principal Andrea Yun Gregory Quick
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE CHORUS 2017-2018 Suzanne Mallare Acton, Chorus Master
Brandy Adams Helen Hass Kimberley Sanders Carol Ambrigio-Wood Glen Healy Diane Schoff Andrea Apel Branden C. S. Hood Schyler Sheltrown Francisco Bedoy Richard Jackson, Jr Giles Simmer Alaina Brown Olivia Johnson Brandon Spencer Fred Buchalter Seth Johnson Terrence Stewart Mysti Byrnes Nicole Joseph Gregory Stinson Sandra Caldwell Matthew Konopacki Jacob Surzyn Claire Chardon Joseph Leppeck Brett Thompson Fidelia Darmakasih Adrian Leskiw David Twigg Benton DeGroot Miroslav Manovski Tiffanie Waldron Denzel Donald Mary Martin Justin Watson Rebecca Eaddy Bradley Miller Tamara Whitty Joseph Edmonds Madison Montambault Jeff Wilkinson Michael Fowler Brandon Motz Chantel Woodard Kurt Frank Braun Oldenkamp Monique Young Yvonne Friday Marcus Peterson Heidi Bowen Zook Rachel Ann Girty Brett Pond Suzanne Grogan Kristina Riegle The American Guild of Musical Artists is the official union of the Michigan OperaTheatre Chorus.
30 Michigan Opera Theatre Historic Path to a Bold Future The Campaign for Michigan Opera Theatre
Pursuant to a comprehensive strategic plan, the Board and Trustees of Michigan Opera Theatre have launched a Historic Path to a Bold Future campaign to invest $50 million in exceptional artistic experiences, broad-based community initiatives, enhanced institutional efficiencies, and facilities improvement. This campaign is designed to ensure that the David DiChiera legacy thrives beyond his tenure by positioning MOT for continued artistic success and community engagement well into the future. The following individuals, businesses, and foundations have declared their initial leadership gifts to the campaign. As of October 31, 2018, more than $25.7 million has been committed.
$1 Million and above $100,000 - $249,999 Sarah and Doug† Allison AVL — Don Manvel William Davidson Foundation Avern Cohn, Lois Pincus and Thomas Cohn Ford Motor Company Mary Rita Cuddohy† Danialle and Peter Karmanos Gretchen and Ethan Davidson John S. and James L. Knight Foundation DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Lear Corporation Barbara Frankel and Ronald Michalak Linda Dresner Levy and Edward Levy, Jr. Alphonse Lucarelli The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Ali Moiin and William Kupsky Ruth F. Rattner $500,000 - $999,999 Maureen and Roy Roberts Floy and Lee Barthel Mona and Matthew Simoncini Sharon and Herman Frankel Anthony Soave Karen and R. Jamison Williams $50,000 - $99,999 $250,000 - $499,999 Elizabeth and James Ciroli Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden Gloria Clark Marvin and Betty Danto Foundation Cameron Duncan Ann E. Ford† Michael Einheuser Rema Frankel† Aviva and Dean Friedman Richard Sonenklar and Gregory Haynes Kristan and John Hale Donna and Bernard Rubin Ankur Rungta and Mayssoun Bydon Yesenia and Jessie Venegas World Heritage Foundation-Prechter Family Fund † = Avanti Society
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 31 32 Michigan Opera Theatre For a complete copy of the consolidated financial statements including notes, please call our Controller, James Andrews, at 313-237-3411.
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 33 For a complete copy of the consolidated financial statements including notes, please call our Controller, James Andrews, at 313-237-3411. 34 Michigan Opera Theatre For a complete copy of the consolidated financial statements including notes, please call our Controller, James Andrews, at 313-237-3411. Annual Report 2 0 1 8 35 Michigan Opera Theatre Donor Honor Roll Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous donors for their cumulative life-time giving. Their support has played a key role in the establishment of Michigan Opera Theatre since its founding in 1971 along with the building of the Detroit Opera House. Their leadership has and continues to play an integral part in the company’s viability, underwriting quality opera and dance performances, alongside award-winning community and educational programs.
$10,000,000 and above Ford Motor Company Fund $7,500,000 and above $5,000,000 and above General Motors Foundation Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs The Kresge Foundation
$2,000,000 and above Mr.† & Mrs. Douglas Allison William Davidson Foundation McGregor Fund Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel The Skillman Foundation Community Foundation John S. and James L. Knight Foundation The State of Michigan for Southeast Michigan Lear Corporation Mr. & Mrs. R. Jamison Williams
Marvin, Betty and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment & Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation
$1,000,000 and above Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee DTE Energy Foundation Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy Mr.† & Mrs. Eugene Applebaum Mrs. Margo Cohen Feinberg & Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. AT&T & Mr. Robert Feinberg JPMorgan Chase Bank of America Mrs. Barbara Frankel Masco Corporation & Mr. Ronald Michalak National Endowment for the Arts Mandell & Madeleine Berman † Foundation Samuel & Jean Frankel Mrs. Sam Williams Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll, Sr. Hudson-Webber Foundation Matilda R. Wilson Fund Covisint Mrs. Danialle & Mr. Peter Karmanos Contributors to Michigan Opera Theatre Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors whose annual cumulative contributions were made between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Their generosity is vital to the company’s financial stability, which is necessary to sustain MOT’s position as a valued cultural resource.
FOUNDATION, CORPORATE, $25,000 - $49,999 $5,000 - $9,999 Detroit Zoological Society & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT John S. & James L. Knight AVL Michigan Holding Corporation Grand Circus Park Development Foundation DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital Assoc. $500,000+ Community Foundation for Ralph L. & Winifred E. Polk Midtown Mansion LLC United Jewish Foundation Southeast Michigan Foundation Keith Elementary School PNC Bank Henry E. & Consuelo Wenger Ilitch Holdings, Inc. $250,000+ National Endowment for the Arts Foundation Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Lear Corporation Worthington Family Foundation The Samuel L. Westerman Sigmund & Sophie Rohlik Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher MGM Grand Detroit Foundation Foundation Foundation Masco Corporation Foundation The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation Lee & Maxine Peck Foundation Mandell L. & Madeleine H. Berman Matilda R. Wilson Fund Louis & Nellie Sieg Fund 4th Wall Theatre Company Foundation World Heritage Foundation John A. & Marlene Boll Foundation Autoliv The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, PLLC $100,000+ Foundation $1,000 - $4,999 Detroit Edison Public School Ford Motor Company Fund Centiero Corporation Academy McGregor Fund $10,000 - $24,999 Detroit Rotary Foundation William Davidson Foundation The Dolores & Paul Lavins Hudson-Webber Foundation Young Woman’s Home Association The Wetsman Foundation Foundation The Rattner & Katz Charitable Arts Midwest Gulf Coast Community Foundation General Motors Corporation Foundation Grosse Pointe War Memorial Esther & George Jaruga Charitable AbbVie, Inc. Vanguard Charitable Foundation $50,000 - $99,999 Michigan Humanities Council Josephine Kleiner Foundation The Kresge Foundation Allen Harold Abramson Trust Northern Trust Bank Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Real Integrated James & Lynelle Holden Fund Affairs Fifth Generation, Inc. Detroit Industrial School Penske Corporation The Gilmour-Jirgens Fund J. Ernest & Almena Gray Wilde Fund
† Deceased 36 Michigan Opera Theatre INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Mrs. Ilse Calcagno & Mr. Sanford Hansell Mr. Daniel T. Lis Ms. Christina Carroll Mr. & Mrs. Paul C. Hillegonds Ms. Carol Lytle $100,000+ Mr. & Mrs. James Ciroli Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hodgson Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Mancuso Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Mr. Thomas Cohn Mr. William Hulsker Ms. Florine Mark Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Ms. Julia Donovan Darlow Mrs. Stephanie Germack Kerzic Ms. Kate Levin Markel Mr. & Mrs. Paul Lavins & Hon. John C. O’Meara Ms. Ida King Mr. Benjamin Meeker Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. Mr. Mark Davidoff Ms. Mary B. Letts & Dr. Meredith L. Korneffel & Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy Mr. Douglass Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Liebler Dr. Lisa Meils Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Simoncini & Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs Mr. Loreto A. Manzo Mrs. L. William Moll Mr. Anthony L. Soave Mr. Peter A. Dow Hon. Jack Martin Dr. & Mrs. Van C. Momon, Jr. Mr. Richard A. Sonenklar Mrs. Marianne Endicott & Ms. Bettye Arrington-Martin Ms. Lynn Moody & Mr. Gregory Haynes Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Phillip D. Minch Mrs. Barbara Nickles Mr. & Mrs. R. Jamison Williams Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Donald Morelock Mr. Daniel J. Pienta Dr. Glendon M. Gardner Mr. & Mrs. Allan Nachman Mrs. Concetta V. Ross $50,000 - $99,999 Mr. Allan D. Gilmour Ms. Juliette Okotie-Eboh, Ph.D. Dr. & Mrs. Hershel Sandberg Hon. & Mrs. Avern L. Cohn & Mr. Eric Jirgens Mr. & Mrs. Peter B. Oleksiak Dr. Barbara & Mr. Laurence Schiff Ms. Joanne Danto Mrs. Lori Goldman Mr. & Mrs. Graham A Orley Mr. & Mrs. Kingsley Sears & Dr. Arnold Weingarden Mr. Robert Hage Drs. Caroline & Wallace Peace Ms. Susan Sills-Levey Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel Dr. Devon Hoover Ms. Susan Peslar & Mr. Michael Levey Mr. & Mrs. William H. Powers Jr Mr. & Mrs. Addison Igleheart Mr. & Mrs. Brock E. Plumb Mrs. Lila Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Kent J. Jidov Mr. & Mrs. W. James Prowse Ms. Mary Anne Stella $20,000 - $49,999 Mrs. Ellen Kahn Mr. Wade Rakes II Mr. David P. Sutherland Mr. & Mrs. Richard Alonzo Ms. Shelly Kasprzycki Mr. Kenneth Robinson Dr. Jeffrey V. Tranchida Mr. John M. Chase, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John D. Lewis & Mrs. Marcia Gershenson & Mr. Noel Baril Mrs. Gloria A. Clark Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lutz Mr. James Rose Jr Dr. Margaret Winters Dr. David DiChiera Mr. Donald Manvel Mr. Alan E. Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Carl B. Fontana Ms. Mary C. Mazure Mr. & Mrs. Mark Shaevsky $1,000 - $2,499 Mrs. Barbara Frankel Mr. & Mrs. Xavier Mosquet Mrs. Arlene C. Shaler Ms. Nina Abrams & Mr. Ronald Michalak Mr. & Mrs. James B. Nicholson Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sonye Dr. & Mrs. Joshua Adler Mr. David M. Hempstead, Jr Mr. Jonathan Orser Mrs. Anne Stricker Drs. Ali & Hannan Alhimiri Mr. John Jesser Dr. Charlotte Mr. Ronald F. Switzer Ms. Deborah L. Anthony Mr. Alphonse S. Lucarelli & Mr. Charles Podowski Mr. & Mrs. Joel D. Tauber Mrs. Chacona Baugh Mrs. Susanne McMillan Mr. Stephen R. Polk Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Terrell Mrs. Kelley Beck Dr. Ali Moiin & Dr. William Kupsky Prof. Sara A. Pozzi Ph. D Dr. Lorna Thomas Mrs. Cecilia Benner Mr. Gary L. Nielsen Mr. & Mrs. Jon Rimanelli Mr. Norman Thorpe Mr. Stanislaw Bialoglowski Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner Mrs. Carolyn L. Ross Mr. & Mrs. John P. Tierney Mr. & Mrs. Maurice S. Binkow Mr. & Mrs. Roy S. Roberts Mr. Ankur Rungta Mr. Al Timm Mr. & Mrs. Eugene W. Blanchard Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Toppin & Ms. Mayssoun Bydon Mr. Herman W. Weinreich Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Bowerman Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Venegas Mrs. Barbara Saperstein Mr. & Mrs. Eric H. Winter Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Bright Dr. Gregory Stephens Drs. Dana Zakalik & John Weber Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Brown Jr $10,000 - $19,999 Mrs. Dorothy Alice Tomei Mrs. Mary Lou Zieve Mr. & Mrs. David Camp Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya Dr. & Mrs. Stanley H. Waldon Mr. & Mrs. Brian C. Campbell Ms. Susan Bartush-Cugliari Ms. Virginia Webster-Smith $2,500 - $2,999 Mr. & Mrs. Philip Campbell Mr. Wayne S. Brown Mr. Bret Williams Dr. & Mrs. J.E. Austin Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cooper & Ms. Brenda Kee Mr. Charles L. Wilson, Jr. Ms. Debra Bernstein-Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Cornelsen Mr. Kevin Dennis Dr. & Mrs. Ned Winkelman Ms. Carolyn M. Blackmore Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Corrigan & Mr. Jeremy Seltzer Dr. Lucia Zamorano & Dr. Nicholas C. Bell Mrs. Patricia Cosgrove Ms. Margo Cohen Feinberg Mr. Jim Bonahoom Ms. Maryann S. Cromwell & Mr. Robert Feinberg $3,000 - $4,999 Mr. Charles D. Bullock Mr. & Mrs. Ethan Davidson Mrs. Elaine Fontana Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Carson Mr. Anthony Delsener Mr. & Mrs. Dean Friedman Dr. Harold M. Arrington Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Cavallari Mr. Cameron B. Duncan Mr. & Mrs. Richard Goetz Mr. & Mrs. James M. Balcerski Mr. & Mrs. Jerry D’Avanzo Mr. George Evans Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kratchman Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bingham Mr. & Mrs. Walter K. Dean Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Ewing Mr. Cyril Moscow Mr. & Mrs. G. Peter Blom Ms. Carolyn Demps Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd C. Fell Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ragheb Mr. Gene Bowen Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Feldman Mr. John Fleming Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Rubin Mr. & Mrs. Bob Brasie Mr. & Mrs. Robert Z. Feldstein Mr. James Forbes Mr. William H. Smith Dr. Lynne Carter Dr. & Mrs. Robert Folberg Dr. Yvonne Friday Mr. David C. Stone Ms. Joanne Clark Dr. & Mrs. Clifford Furgison & Mr. Stephen Black Mr. Richard D. Ventura Dr. Mary Carol Conroy Mr. & Mrs. Keith E. Gifford Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Garcia Drs. Laura & Jeffrey Corrigan Mr. & Mrs. Tom Goldberg Mr. Thomas M. Gervasi $5,000 - $9,999 Mrs. Virginia Curatolo Dr. Judie R. Goodman Mr. Lawrence Glowczewski Ms. Denise Allen Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence N. David Mr. & Mrs. David Handleman Ms. Janet Groening Marsh Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Ammann Ms. Christy Dickinson Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Haberman Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Josh Eichenhorn Mr. & Mrs. Norman D. Katz Ms. Nancy B. Henk Ms. Paula Autry Mr. Michael Einheuser Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Klein Mrs. Fay B. Herman Mr. & Mrs. Mark A. Baun Mrs. Betty J. Fisher Jr Dr. Mark Kolins Mrs. Doreen B. Hermelin Mr. & Mrs. Paul Blizman Dr. & Mrs. Saul Forman & Ms. Maria B. Abrahamsen Mr. Daniel Howes Mrs. Betty Bright Mr. & Mrs. Burke Fossee Mr. Gale Kramer & Ms. Margarite Fourcroy Mr. Robert Brown Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Giancamilli Ms. Mary Kramer Mr. & Mrs. William C. Hufford & Mrs. Geraldine Ford-Brown Dr. Raina M. Ernstoff Hansell Mr. & Mrs. Andrew S. Levin Ms. Dawn Imesch
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 37 Mr. & Mrs. Alan Israel Mrs. Meria Larson Mr. & Mrs. Eric Kerr Prof. Michael Wellman Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Jessup Ms. Margaret MacTavish Mr. & Mrs. Steve Kesler Mr. Jay F. Williams Mr. David Kinsella & Mrs. Joyce Mr. Jeffrey D. Marraccini Mr. & Mrs. Justin Klimko Mr. Eric Winter Urba Mr. & Mrs. George Nicholson, III Mr. Gregory Knas Ms. Nicole Withers Dr. & Mrs. Edward Klarman Dr. Stephen W. Ragsdale Mr. Robert C. Koch Mrs. Cathy C. Wood Miss Aleksandra Krsteva Mr. Zon Shumway Mr. James C. Kors Mr. David D. Woodard Mr. & Mrs. Al LaCroix Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stillwagon & Ms. Victoria J. King Ms. Kathryn Woodyard Mr. & Mrs. Chak Lai Mr. David Wash Mrs. Barbara Levin Dr. & Mrs. Stephan J. Loginsky Dr. & Mrs. Christopher D. Wilhelm Mr. & Mrs. William D. Lockwood IN TRIBUTE Mr. Stephen H. Lord Mr. Peter M. Lundberg Mr. John Lovegren $500 - $749 Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Mattison In memory of Dr. Stewart G. & Mr. Daniel Isenschmid Mr. & Mrs. Michael Alberts Ms. Ewa Matuszewski Delbert & Dr. Eldora C. Delbert Ms. Lea Luger Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. Alioto Mr. & Mrs. Patrick G. McKeever Mr. Robert Delbert Ms. Denise Lutz Mr. & Mrs. James W. Allen Mr. & Mrs. James McLennan Mr. & Mrs. Steven Marlette Mrs. Melanie I. Ameloot Mr. & Mrs. Brian Meer In memory of David Denn Hon. & Mrs. George G. Matish Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Anthony IV Mrs. Sally B. Mikat James H & Constance Wineman Mr. & Mrs. John L. Mayer Mr. Theodore J. St. Antoine Mrs. Stephanie Miltimore Family Philanthropic Fund, Connie Ms. Mary McGough Mr. & Mrs. Robert Appel Ms. Barbara Mitchell Wineman Jacob Ms. Patricia A. McKanna Hon. Dennis Archer Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Moroun In memory of Phyllis Ms. Evelyn Micheletti & Hon. Trudy Duncombe Archer Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Moss Hefflefinger Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Miller Mr. & Mrs. Rick Armstrong Drs. Stephen & Barbara Munk Stephen & Lynn Franko Ms. Faye Alexander Nelson Ms. Geraldine Atkinson Dr. Brian Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Walter Newgeon Ms. Neveen F. Awad & Mrs. Toni Sanchez-Murphy In memory of Lois Jones Mr. David W. Osborne Ms. Allison Bach Dr. Iuliana Niculescu Andrew & Eleanora Soves & Ms. Suzanne Mallare Acton Mrs. Jennifer L. Barber Ms. Lois Norman Ms. Anne Parsons Mr. & Mrs. Nigel Beaton Mr. Ronald Northrup In memory of Michael F. Machi Mr. & Mrs. Mark Peterson Ms. Carol Bedient Mr. & Mrs. William E. Ohlsson Jr Ms. Andrea Bercich Miss Alma M. Petrini Mr. & Mrs. William Betz Esq Ms. Linda Orlans Mr. Richard A. Polk Ms. Kanta Bhambhani Mr. & Mrs. David K. Page In memory of Sandy Short Dr. & Mrs. Lori Rapp Ms. Barbara A. Blanock Mrs. Jennifer L. Pajak Charles & Diana Edwards Mr. & Mrs. Rip Rapson Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby Ms. Margot Parker Dr. Monique Reeves Mrs. Renee D. Bradley Drs. Taft & Sherida Parsons In memory of Christine Ms. Cheryl Reynolds Mr. Keith Brunini Ms. Haryani Permana Strumbos Mr. James Rodgers & Mrs. Ms. Susan Cameron Mrs. Margo Pickl Ms. Sarah Deson Kathleen Brozowski-Rodgers Dr. Marlene S. Chavis Dr. & Mrs. Peter J. Polidori Ms. Cindy P. Frenkel Mr. & Mrs. George Roumell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Brandt Crutcher Mr. Garrod S. Post In memory of Robert Sweeten Mr. & Mrs. William Sandy Mrs. Abha Dearing & Mr. Robert A. Hill Ms. Medina M Topalian Ms. Debbe Saperstein Dr. A. L. DiLorenzo Mrs. Janet Pounds Mr. & Mrs. Ed Schulak Dr. Donald Ditmars Mr. Dale Price In memory of Frank Tarzia Mr. Gary Schwarcz Ms. Mary J. Doerr Mr. & Mrs. Morton Raban Linda Bischak Etter Mrs. Rosalind Sell Ms. Tiffany Douglas Ms. Paula Rausch Bill & Susan Scott Mrs. Cynthia B. Shaw Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Driker Mr. Dennis C. Regan & Mr. Tom Kirvan Mr. & Mrs. Vijay H. D’Souza & Miss Ellen M. Strand In honor of Beth Kirton Mr. Terry Shea Mr. Alex Erdeljan Mr. & Mrs. William Remer PEO Chapter X Ms. Martha Gibiser Shea Dr. Fern R. Espino & Mr. Tom Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin D. Rhodes Mr. & Mrs. Michael Smith Short Mr. & Mrs. David Richards In honor of Barbara Ms. Christie Song Mr. Charles Ferrell Ms. Diane Riding Kratchman’s birthday Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Stahl Dr. Julie B. Finn Mr. Bernardo A. Rojas Joshua & Marjorie Yaker Ms. Tiffany Stano & Dr. Bradley Rowens Mr. & Mrs. Charles Rooney Mr. Scott E. Stinebaugh Mr. Michael Flores Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Rose Ms. Cathy L. Talifer Mr. & Mrs. Daniel M. Fox Mrs. Alexander Rota Mr. & Mrs. Robert Taubman Ms. Catherine C. French Mr. & Mrs. Barry Safir Dr. Gretchen M. Thams Ms. Sharlene F. Gage Ms. Amy Sauve Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit Vreeken Mrs. Nicole Gainey Dr. Karen L. Saxton Mr. William Waak Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson & Mr. Wade Gora Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Wagner Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Gilmore Mrs. Claus Schaefer Mrs. Fern Walch Mr. & Mrs. William R. Goudie Mr. & Mrs. Morton L. Scholnick Mr. Gary L. Wasserman Ms. Giacinta A. Gualtieri Mrs. Helen T. Slater & Mr. Charles A. Kashner Dr. Bradley S. Haas, MD Ms. Beth Smith Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Way Dr. Jamie Hall Dr. Terry Smith-Glaser Mr. & Mrs. William Wetsman Ms. Ruth U. Hansen Mr. & Mrs. Dante Stella Mr. & Mrs. William Wetsman Ms. Gerri Harmer Dr. Mildred Ponder Stennis Mr. & Mrs. John A Wise, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey K. Haynes Mr. Nicholas Stubblefield Mr. Gary Wozniak Ms. Barbara Heller Mr. & Mrs. Lee Tavoularis Mr. & Mrs. David J. Zmyslowski Mr. Paul Hogle Ms. Amanda M. Teeter Mr. Paul Horn Mr. & Mrs. Andre D. Tenner $750 - $999 Mr. & Mrs. Mario Iacobelli Mr. & Mrs. Horace Tiggs, IV Mr. & Mrs. Frank Brzenk Ms. Connie Wineman Jacob Mr. & Mrs. Paul Tomboulian Mr. Daniel Greenberg Ms. Karin Johnson Mr. Patrick Tortora Mr. Stephen Hodge Mr. Raynard Jones Mr. John M. Toth Mrs. Rebecca L. Kennedy Dr. Anthony Kales Mr. & Mrs. Tony Ventimiglia Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Kleiman Mr. William P. Kelly Mr. & Mrs. Karl P. Walby
38 Michigan Opera Theatre AVANTI SOCIETY Ensuring the Future Imagine a gift that outlives you, allowing future generations Avanti Society Members are Invited: to experience and enjoy the world of opera and dance. That’s To an exclusive annual Avanti Society event, previews and the goal of the Avanti Society, Michigan Opera Theatre’s other special events. Michigan Opera Theatre is honored that Planned Gift Recognition Program. so many patrons have chosen to declare their membership in the Avanti Society and designed a small lapel pin for The Italian word “avanti” means “ahead,” or “forward.” The members to wear proudly at Michigan Opera Theatre events. Avanti Society at Michigan Opera Theatre represents a designated group of friends of Michigan Opera Theatre AN AVANTI FOR TOMORROW who have made plans to include the organization in their The growth of Michigan Opera Theatre’s permanent estate plans — whether by will, trust, insurance, or life income Endowment Fund ensures the growth and future vitality of arrangement. Membership in the Avanti Society is open to all. one of the region’s greatest cultural assets. You are invited to create your own legacy — your Avanti — through Michigan In thanks for their generous support, Avanti Society Opera Theatre. members are given special benefits and recognition for their heartfelt commitment to Michigan Opera Theatre. To make your gift, contact Marcy Murchison, Major Gifts Officer, at 313.237. 3416 or Avanti Society Members are Recognized: [email protected]. In “Bravo” opera and dance program books and the Annual Report.
AVANTI SOCIETY MEMBERS In recognition of their foresight and commitment, Michigan Opera Theatre profoundly thanks and recognizes the membership of the Avanti Society.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee # Dr. & Mrs. Charles H. Duncan* † Mr. John Jickling Mrs. Frank C. Shaler* Mr.† and Mrs. Doug Allison Mrs. Charles M. Endicott* # Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein# Mr. Stephan Sharf † Mrs. Adel Amerman* # + Mr. & Mrs. Herb Fisher* Mrs. Josephine Kleiner † Ms. Laura Sias Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya* Mrs. Anne E. Ford † Mr. & Mrs. Erwin H. Klopfer* # Mr. & Mrs. Harold Siebert Mr. & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu* Ms. Pamela R. Francis*† Mr.† & Mrs. Daniel Kolton Mrs. Marge Slezak Mr.† & Mrs. Chester Arnold* Ms. Barbara Frankel & Mr. Ronald Misses Phyllis & Selma Korn*† Dr. Anne Sullivan Smith Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Michalak* # Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Krolikowski* Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow* Mr. & Mrs. J. Addison Bartush*#† Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel* # Mr. Max Lepler & Mr. Rex Dotson Mr. † & Mrs. Richard Starkweather*#+ Mr. & Mrs. Brett Batterson* Mrs. Rema Frankel* # † Mr. Philip Leon † Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard Mr.† & Mrs. Mandell Berman Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Freeman Mr. Stephen H. Lord Dr. Jonathan Swift † Mr.† & Mrs. Art Blair* Mrs. Jane Shoemaker French Ms. Jane McKee* & Mr. Thomas A. St. Charles* Mr. Robert Bomier Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson* Drs. Orlando & Dorothy Miller* Mr. Ronald F. Switzer* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby Priscilla R. Greenberg, Ph.D.* # Ms. Monica Moffat Mr. Edward D. Tusset* Mr.† & Mrs. Roy E. Calcagno* Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hagopian & Mr. Pat McGuire Mr. † & Mrs. George Vincent*#+ Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Carson Mr. Lawrence W. Hall* Demetra & Theodore Monolidis† Mrs. Susan Weidinger Dr.† & Mrs. Victor J. Cervenak* Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Halperin* Drs. Stephen & Barbara Munk Mr. Herman Weinreich Mr. Daniel Kolton Ms. Heather Hamilton Miss Surayyah Muwwakkil Mrs. Amelia H. Wilhelm* # & Ms. Mary Christner Mrs. Charlene Handleman Mr. Jonathan F. Orser Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Work* Miss Halla Claffey † Mr. Kenneth E. Hart* Ms. Julie A. Owens Mr. & Mrs. Larry Zangerle Ms. Kathy Coburn Mr. & Mrs. Eugene L. Hartwig* Mr. Dale J. Pangonis* Mr. & Mrs. George M. Zeltzer* † Prof. Kenneth Collinson Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Parkhill Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Comstock# † Ms. Nancy B. Henk Mr. Richard M. Raisin* Avanti Logo & Pin Design Dr. Robert A. Cornette* # Mrs. Fay Herman Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner* # Ms. Monica Moffat & Mr. Pat Dr. Cindy Hung & Mr. Jeremy Crites Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hodgson Ms. Deborah Remer McGuire Mrs. Mary Rita Cuddohy † Mr. Andrew Howell Dr. Joshua Rest Ms. Mattie Cunningham † Ms. Carol Howell Mr. & Mrs. James Rigby* Keys: Mr.† & Mrs. Tarik Daoud* # Dr. Cindy Hung* Mr. Bryan L. Rives * Founding Members Mr. & Mrs. Marvin I. Danto † Drs. Heidi & Dale Jacobs Ms. Patricia Rodzik* # Touch the Future donors Mr. Thomas J. Delaney Ms. Kristin Jaramillo* Ms. Joanne B. Rooney † + Avanti Society Sponsors Dr. David DiChiera # † Mr. Don Jensen & Mr. Leo Dovelle Mr.† & Mrs. Giles L. Ross † in Italics = deceased members Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera* # Mr. John Jesser † Aphrodite & George Roumell Mr. & Mrs. Walter Dissett Mr. Patrick J.† & Mrs. Stephanie Ms. Susan Schooner* Membership as of August 2018 Ms. Mary Jane Doerr # Germack Kerzic Drs. Heinz & Alice Platt Schwarz*
Annual Report 2 0 1 8 39