I Can Do That Theatre Company CASE STATEMENT Introduction Mission Statement .....................................................................4 I Can Do That Theatre Overview .....................................................................................6 Programs Productions .................................................................................8 Classes ......................................................................................10 The Belasco Theatre ................................................................11 The Timeline Funding Opportunities ............................................................14 The Opportunity Funding Opportunities ............................................................18 Who is Involved Board of Directors ....................................................................22 I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY “Theater is her happy place, her place to express herself and come out of her shell. THE MISSION Her experience with ICDTT has been nothing short of life-changing, giving her a I Can Do That Theatre Company is a nonprofit youth theatre company, taste of how good it feels to find her dedicated to creating professional, full-scale musicals by combining quality passion, and infusing her with confidence training with imagination, freedom, and fun. The Company empowers to continue to pursue her dreams. And students by providing a safe and nurturing environment to build confidence, watching her light up the stage filled this creativity, and friendships through the art of live theatre mother’s heart with pure joy.” -Julianna Velthoen, Danville, CA 4 5 I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY OVERVIEW “I Can Do That Theater Company is Both Shayna and Jarusha knew that in 1997 Shayna Ronen and Jarusha Ariel, founders absolutely wonderful! The founders, a theatre was being built for their childhood of the I Can Do That Theatre Company Shayna and Jarusha, are just incredible company, The Belasco Theatre Company, (ICDTT), met at nine years old, performing in with the kids and run a very professional but as funding fell through, construction was the Belasco Theatre Company. Forever permanently halted, and the building has sat program. My daughter participated in changed and inspired by what they learned unfinished and vacant since. When it was the summer Broadway Showcase and as performers from Edward Belasco, Shayna suggested that they visit the abandoned is now hooked on musical theater; she and Jarusha dreamed of one day opening theatre, Shayna and Jarusha discovered that can’t wait to do “Bye Bye Birdie” this their own youth theatre company. On the $3 million was raised for the project, and the Fall. Our daughters have enrolled with day after Edward Belasco’s passing, in 2015, initial building construction was on its way Shayna and Jarusha decided it was time to several other theater groups and this to completion. carry on Ed’s legacy and create their own one is the new favorite.” non-profit theatre company. – Caroline Conner, Lafayette, CA ICDTT is now in the process of acquiring the Less than a year later, I Can Do That Theatre building’s lease and completing the project. Company was born. In their first year, they The building will serve as a Performing-Arts Lily, age 15: produced a show with 18 cast members. Center and afford ICDTT the opportunity “I Can Do That Theater Company has helped me become more outgoing and By 2018, I Can Do That Theatre Company to expand its programming so that local helped me step out of my comfort zone. I feel like I can be myself there with no produced 6 musicals with casts of 40+ kids and teens can continue to discover the judgement. Also, Shayna and Jarusha are always there for us. No matter what it students and opened a studio space in magical experience of theatre, both on and is, they will listen. A lot of things in my life have changed, but I can always rely on downtown Danville offering daily classes. behind the stage, as well as in the audience. ICDT to always be there. I Can Do That Theater has become a huge part of my Currently, more than 100 students attend life.” I Can Do That Theatre Company’s classes each week. 6 7 I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY • School year productions: 2 weekends, 8 ICDTT PRODUCTIONS shows The I Can Do That Theatre Company currently • Summer productions: 1 weekend, 4 shows produces 3 full-scale musicals each year. Attendance for the performances and interest in joining the company continues to grow as I Can WHY PRODUCTIONS? Do That gets more exposure. However, ICDTT’s ICDTT’s first production had 18 cast members current rehearsal and performance spaces limit and each ensuing production has grown cast size, class size, and overall growth of the incrementally larger. The popularity has grown theatre company. so much that for its last production, 70 students auditioned for 40 cast positions. Additionally, as ICDTT is independent of the Town of Danville, the Company is low priority when allocating performance dates. This leaves WHERE THE PROGRAM HAS COME FROM ICDTT with inopportune weekends to perform, Each production has approximately 40 students making scheduling difficult for parents and the paying tuition. The cast rehearses between 5 managing directors. weeks and 5 months, 2-4 times a week, for any given production. The show is then performed at the Danville Village Theatre with full lights, WHERE THE PROGRAM IS GOING sound, costumes and concessions. The With the rapidly-growing interest and productions consist of: involvement from the community, ICDTT plans to increase the amount of performances from 3 WHO WILL BENEFIT to 4 per year in 2018. When ICDTT expands into ICDTT’s productions utilize between 35 - 50 a new theatre space productions will be students ranging in age from 8 to 18. When sequenced appropriately and have larger sets, ICDTT is able to serve more students and carry more costumes, better lighting, and raise the out more productions, many more students who overall quality of the performances. ICDTT will are interested in performing will be served. also add more weekends to their performances, which will generate significant incremental FINAL POINT revenue streams. ICDTT has been humbled by the amount of In late 2018, ICDTT plans to incorporate an interest and enthusiasm from the community for inclusion program with students whose a local theatre. ICDTT research indicates a socioeconomic situation would otherwise substantial affinity by the residents of the prohibit their participation and will establish a Danville area for the arts and a serious need for scholarship fund to address those financial aid more arts-focused community activities. ICDTT needs. is in a unique position to meet this demand. 8 9 I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY run every day of the week, and for ICDTT to ICDTT CLASSES offer youth and adult classes, as well as ICDTT now offers 10 weekly classes at their specialized programs like “Mommy and Me” Danville Studio and plans to expand its offerings classes. in 2018. WHO WILL BENEFIT Theatre classes are beneficial for building WHY CLASSES? confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of self and ICDTT launched the theatre classes program in community in adolescents. Classes enhance 2016 in response to 70 students who auditioned public speaking skills, social skills, provide an for a show that could only cast 40. It was clear emotional outlet, and create a place where that the community wanted more than the students can make connections, friendships, and performances could satisfy, so ICDTT build comradery with others. immediately responded. FINAL POINT ICDTT classes will continue to be an important art-building performing arts center in Danville, it component of the Theatre’s operational WHERE THE PROGRAM HAS COME FROM THE BELASCO THEATRE will become a focus for community involvement activities, promoting opportunity, inclusion, and In 2016, Shayna and Jarusha offered 2 classes, and encourage youth, families, and all residents personal growth. which were filled almost immediately. November WHY THE NEED FOR THE THEATRE? to experience the arts in Danville. 2017, ICDTT hired 3 independent contractors ICDTT currently performs at the Village to begin teaching varied classes in their studio Theatre in Danville, though space is limited, THE ANSWER space. The demand continued, and in 2018 the as the theatre is often booked out over a year Remodeling the Belasco Theatre is the best company has already seen major growth. in advance. Built in 1913, the Village Theatre answer to address the overwhelming demand also has structural issues, including poor air for more theatrical programming and creative circulation, very small wing space which restricts January 2018: 5 classes with 63 student sign-ups space from the Danville community. set design, and tiny dressing rooms that limit March 2018: 10 classes with 105 students sign- cast size and the ability to have appropriate ups costuming. THE FACILITY WILL FEATURE • 277 seat theatre designed to support WHERE THE PROGRAM IS GOING The Village Theatre is eager for a second community and professional artists performing arts center to emerge because it Classes are currently being held in ICDTT’s will allow for more live theatre and a variety • A modern building that will create an Danville studio during the production rehearsal’s of art in Danville. The Village Theatre is unable exciting, upscale experience