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Home , Center Theatre Group, Dallas Theater Center, John Douglas Thompson, Katrina Lenk, Long Wharf Theatre

2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Nadine Malouf as Laila and Denmo Ibrahim as Mariam in A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Ursula Rani Sarma, based on the book by Khaled Hosseini, directed by Carey Perloff, and co-produced by American Conservatory Theater at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox. 2 2 2 THEATRE FORWARD - FORTY YEARS

Theatre Forward aims to advance the American The 2018 Chairman’s Awards Gala theatre and its communities. As we complete Celebrated leaders within the theatre our 40th year, our vision remains to increase community in the of over 275 access and opportunity for all to experience supporters at The Pierre on April 9, 2018. theatre that builds community and sets the stage for individual achievement. HONOREES Our signature programs: Advancing Strong Tony-winning composer David Yazbek Theatre and Educating Through Theatre (The Band’s Visit) with the Creative took major steps forward this year. We are happy to Achievement Award share our impact on our community in this annual The works of (, The Piano report. Lesson) with the Legacy Award SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT EVENTS Citi with the 40th Anniversary Corporate Theatre Forward’s 40th Anniversary kicked off Leadership Award with a special cocktail reception for our supporters Special toast to at the home of Board member Pamela Farr and Carey Perloff, American Conservatory Theater, Artistic her husband Buford Alexander, highlighted by a Director on her 25th Anniversary performance from Broadway star Rebecca Luker. George Smith, Former Theatre Forward Board member Monthly Happy Hours offer an opportunity for our supporters to get behind-the-scenes insights SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR... on the national theatre scene. With an emphasis on productions that originated at our theatres, Gala Sponsors + co-chairs: attendees engage with guest artists prior to seeing Bank of America, Pamela Farr and Buford Alexander, a performance. Among some of the artists who James S. and Lynne P. Turley participated and shared stories of their creative Honorary co-chairs : process this year were: Jason Robert Brown (The Jack O’Brien, Constanza Romero, and Prince of Broadway); Rebecca Taichman (Time and the Conways); Pam McKinnon (Log Cabin); Presenters and special appearances: Giovanna Sardelli (Describe the Night); Diane Jennifer Bielstein (Guthrie Theatre), Josh Borenstein Paulus (In the Body of the World). (), Danny Burstein, Chloe Lomax-Blackwell (August Wilson Monologue Theatre Forward’s 15th Annual Broadway Competition Finalist), Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls), Roundtable, hosted by UBS, was held on Chazz Palminteri, Ethan Slater (Spongebob Squarep- February 2, 2018. The luncheon focused on issues ants, The Broadway Musical) surrounding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), The evening featured performances from: while sharing stories from the Broadway and Beth Leavel and Matthew Sklar (The Prom), regional landscape. Our panelists included: Kathryn Bostic and Eddie Allen performing “State of Heather A. Hitchens, Keegan-Michael Key, John Grace” in tribute to August Wilson, Katrina Lenk and Leguizamo, Daryl Roth, , Irene cast members from The Band’s Visit. Sankoff and David Hein. 3

ADVANCING STRONG THEATRE To foster programs that engage, inspire and The Old Globe build stronger communities, we awarded four San Diego, CA $50,000 competitive grants to accelerate holistic Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) efforts at four theatres: Theater Center Dallas, TX The Old Globe’s Latinx Initiative will expand its reach to and deepen connections with Latinx communities throughout San Diego County using Globe for All tours of Latinx playwright Karen Zacarías’s Native Gardens, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a fall 2019 Public Works Dallas, a groundbreaking Shakespeare play. Through a rich array of free arts community engagement and participatory theater engagement programs, including workshops that project designed to blur the line between provide a hands-on introduction to the technical professional artists and Dallas community side of theatre, beginners’ playwriting, members. Their production of William Shake- community-based theatre projects created by speare’s The Winter’s Tale will feature 200 cast residents and artists, and community dinners, new members, only five of whom will be professional audiences will be engaged in the theatre. actors. The remaining actors will be selected from participating Dallas community partner Seattle Repertory Theatre organizations based on workshops, auditions and Seattle, WA rehearsals carried out over many months.

Guthrie Theater Minneapolis, MN

Public Works Seattle, a major initiative to establish strong, long-term partnerships that put the community at the heart of its theatre, and theatre at the heart of its community. Working in collaboration with five local human services Stories from the Drum, a project which engages nonprofits, this free program invites a number of local Native communities by supporting an people to participate in weekly workshops in their indigenous-led, indigenous-driven, indignous- own neighborhood, attend monthly shows and decolonized practice of working and creating in events at the Rep, and join in creating an ambitious community. This project will address and work to work of professional, participatory theater. A ameliorate barriers to access that prevent Native musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s community members from participating fully in the in September 2019 will feature a community ensemble of 60-80 citizen artists joined by Equity Guthrie season throughout late 2018 and early actors and local performers on the Rep mainstage. 2019. Funding for Advancing Strong Theatre is provided by: James S. & Lynne P. Turley; Citi; The Schloss Family Foundation; Stephanie Scott; Bank of America; 4 Steven & Joy Bunson; Patti & Rusty Rueff Foundation; and The Board of Directors of Theatre Forward EDUCATING THROUGH THEATRE

Studies continue to show that children benefit “Validating the work that I put into it, it’s from an education rich in the arts. We help inspired me to work even harder. The ensure that our students receive equitable competition represents a commitment not only access to this beneficial programming to theatre as a whole and theatre of color but regardless of their socio-economic status. young people’s interest in theatre.”- Student Below are our signature education programs Finalist, August Wilson Monologue Competition, implemented in collaboration with our theatres Seattle Repertory Theatre in their local communities.

Staging Success has completed its two-year goal Making Music supports activities and of measuring the impact of arts participation on assessment to expand students’ musical and school engagement as well as attitudinal and cultural understanding at four member theatres behavioral changes of students at four member across the country through teaching artist theatres: American Conservatory Theater in San engagement and theatrical exposure. The pilot Francisco, CA; Dallas Theater Center; Denver program took place at the in Center for the Performing Arts; and Seattle Minneapolis, MN; Actors Theatre of Louisville; Repertory Theatre. Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI; and in Washington, D.C. Over 900 students received the program-related treatment, Supported by AT&T, and serving approximately and over 3,000 students attended the 600 students, we look forward to sharing the performances. impact of these programs at the end of 2018. Making Music is sponsored by The Augustine Foundation, with additional support from The Professional Development and Direct Music Man Foundation. Program support continue to provide funding for the programming and assessment of one selected program within each of our 19 member theatres around the country as well as provide professional The Genesis Initiative expands access to the development for our education staff to expand theatre for senior citizens through community capacity. Approximately 78,640 students received conversations around mainstage productions and theatre exposure as a result of the included ongoing workshop experiences. Taking place at progams. Self-facilitated professional programs Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT this year, share best practices and issues of the day through the program culminated in a final performance webinars, travel stipends and airfare. created with the education department from the 14 participants’ own written stories.

Support provided by Southwest Airlines to We thank The Daryl and Steven Roth enable theatres to connect in person as well as Foundation for supporting the first year of this virtually. This program is generously supported initiative. by The Hearst Foundations, Wells Fargo and our individual patrons.

5 OUR SUPPORTERS To advance the American Theatre we For National Society members, Theatre Forward rely on a community of supporters is the “go-to” source for exclusive and we salute our dedicated Board theatrical experiences in and funders, listed on page 7, as well New York and across the country. as a special group of donors who engage with us in year-long topical conversations and programming. NATIONAL SOCIETY Our National Society members support our efforts CORPORATE ACCESS PROGRAMS with their philanthropic contributions and join us for a specially curated season of theatre experiences. We highlight productions that have DRIVING SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN direct connections to our theatres and engage with THEATRE the artists and creative teams behind the work. Corporate partners are crucial to the work of Theatre Forward in supporting its member Highlights from this past season: theatres. Theatre Forward offers corporate •Dinner with playwright and Isaac employees access to shows throughout the year: Butler, co-author of “The World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of ” Over 21,000 patrons and corporate employees between the two parts of Angels in America on nationwide accessed Save My Seat, which offers Broadway, where we discussed this play’s discount and full-price tickets on and sustained relevance 25 years after its heralded off Broadway, as well as nationally, through our premiere at the height of the AIDS epidemic. website at www.theatreforward.org. •Dinner and a backstage tour of the revival of Our popular Spotlight Series at Broadway’s most with actor John Douglas Thompson as popular shows offered employees tickets to the we explored a fresh revival of this classic musical. hottest shows at deeply discount prices to 18 events, including WICKED, THE BAND’S VISIT, •Pre-and post-performance conversation with HELLO, DOLLY!, FROZEN and more. John Cariani and the company of the Tony-winning best musical, The Band’s Visit. Our concierge house seat service served over 200 executives with the best seats in the house for •Dinner and conversation with playwright David personal or professional use. Henry Hwang and producer Nelle Nugent about adapting M. Butterflyin an age of greater sexual fluidity.

To find out how you and your company To learn more about getting involved can join our 30+ corporate partners and and being part Broadway’s only curated participate in Theatre Forward’s access patron program, contact us at programs, contact Carl Sylvestre at [email protected]

6 [email protected] FUNDERS July 2017 - June 2018 Theatre Forward and our theatres are most grateful to the following funders:

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE ($100,000+) SUPPORTERS ($2,500-$9,999) THEATRE FORWARD BOARD AT&T Joe Baio & Anne Griffin* The Hearst♦ Foundations Sheri & Les Biller Foundation OF DIRECTORS James S. & Lynne Turley ♦•* Sue Ann Collins* ♦ Dramatists Play Service, Inc. THEATRE EXECUTIVES ($50,000-$99,999) Kevin & Anne Driscoll* HONORARY CHAIR Bank of America• John R. Dutt* Richard Thomas Citi• Jessica Farr The Schloss Family Foundation • ♦ Lucy Fato & Matt Detmer* CHAIRMAN Wells Fargo Foresight Theatrical John Thomopoulos, Ernst & Young ♦ Steven & Donna Gartner* BENEFACTORS ($25,000-$49,999) Glen Gillen & Michael Lawrence VICE-CHAIRMAN Buford Alexander & Pamela Farr • Richard K. Greene• James S. Turley The Augustine Foundation ♦ Nancy Hancock Griffith* BNY Mellon Joyce & Gregory Hurst• PRESIDENT Steve & Joy Bunson• Jujamcyn Gretchen Shugart EY Rob Kauffman* Goldman, Sachs & Co. Evelyn Mack Truitt* VICE-PRESIDENTS MetLife Jonathan Maurer & Joshua Borenstein, Long Wharf Theatre Patti & Rusty Rueff Foundation• Gretchen Shugart• Steven Bunson, Goldman, Sachs & Co. Stephanie Scott• Louise Moriarty & Patrick Stack* Paula A. Dominick, Credit Suisse Morgan Stanley Sarah Robertson Daryl and Steven Roth Foundation SECRETARY PACESETTERS ($15,000-$24,999) Elliott Sernel & Larry Falconio* ♦ Bruce R. Ewing, Dorsey & Whitney LLP American Express Ten Chimneys Foundation AudienceView TheaterMania TREASURER Bloomberg Philanthropies John Thomopoulos• Frank Orlowski Paula A. Dominick• Ubiñas Family Charitable Trust The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Michael A. Wall* EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT-LARGE Alan & Jennifer Freedman•* Isabelle Winkles, Cognizant Frank & Bonnie Orlowski• FRIENDS ($1,500-$2,499) Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Cathy Dantchik DIRECTORS The Music Man Foundation ♦ Debi Feinman Mitchell J. Auslander, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Meltwater Catherine Gropper Yvonne Bell, Pfizer, Inc. Ted Hartley & Dina Merrill Jennifer Bielstein, American Conservatory Theater Leslie C. Quick, Jr. & Regina A. Quick Patti & John Heller* Rena De Sisto, Bank of America Charitable Trust Foundation Nancy & Neal Kaplan* Pamela Farr Southwest Airlines † David Katz* Floyd W. Green, III, Aetna TD Charitable Foundation♦ ♦ Samuel French, Inc. Richard K. Greene, Citi George S. Smith, Jr.* • Amy & David Schwartz* Jeffrey Herrmann,Seattle Repertory Theatre UBS Donna & Jack Sennott* Gregory S. Hurst, UBS Patricia Steele* Kevin E. Moore, Actors Theatre of Louisville DONORS ($10,000-$14,999) WME Kevin Moore, Aetna Tom Parrish, Trinity Repertory Company Mitchell J. Auslander• FANS ($1,499 and below) Thomas C. Quick DELL Robert Dwyer Steven Showalter, American Repertory Theater Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Paul Ellis Tim Shields, The Old Globe Bruce R. & Tracey Ewing• Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center Daniel A. Simkowitz, Morgan Stanley KLDiscovery Manhattan Theatre Club Terrence P. Yanni, BNY Mellon Wealth Management Mary Kitchen & Jon Orszag* Mary & Gerald Millman Anthony & Diane Lembke* Richard Nagrodsky EMERITUS Lisa Orberg ♦ Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Raymond Boyce Presidio RLM - Trial Graphix James E. Buckley RBC Wealth Management Daryl Roth Chris Campbell Daniel A. Simkowitz• Veritext Legal Solutions/Debbie Saline Rosalyn and Irwin Engelman S&P Global Hal Holbrook Isabelle Winkles• Evelyn Mack Truitt Willkie Farr & Gallagher Michael A. Wall * National Society Membership †Includes In-kind support Educating Through Theatre Support •♦Advancing Strong Theatre Support You can access our list of funders at theatreforward.org In 2017-2018, Theatre Forward’s budget was $1.9 Million. Financial Statements available upon request.

7 MEMBER THEATRES THEATRE FORWARD STAFF

Actors Theatre of Louisville* Bruce E. Whitacre (Louisville, KY) Executive Director [email protected] (Houston, TX) Carl Sylvestre (Atlanta, GA) Director of Development American Conservatory Theater* [email protected] (San Francisco, CA) American Repertory Theater* (Cambridge, MA) Emily Miller Arena Stage Director of Strategic Partnerships & Programs (Washington, DC) [email protected] Center Theatre Group* (Los Angeles, CA) Cleveland Play House* Em Atkins (Cleveland, OH) Operations & Events Coordinator Dallas Theater Center [email protected] (Dallas, TX) Denver Center for the Performing Arts Leah Ferentinos (Denver, CO) Communications & Marketing Manager [email protected] (Chicago, IL) Guthrie Theater* (Minneapolis, MN) Hartford Stage (Hartford, CT) Long Wharf Theatre* (New Haven, CT) Manhattan Theatre Club (New York, NY) The Old Globe* (San Diego, CA) Seattle Repertory Theatre* (Seattle, WA) Theatre Forward Trinity Repertory Company* 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 2303 New York, NY 10018 (Providence, RI) T. 212 750 6895 Walnut Street Theatre www.theatreforward.org (Philadelphia, PA) *Denotes Founding Theatre @TheatreForward https://www.facebook.com/TheatreForward