ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2018: July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 Season 34 “In a world where we are surrounded by destruction; be it physical, emotional, spiritual or ethical; it is a blessing to be part of a community who creates.” - Charles May, Baritone Welcome to CGMC As we approach our 35th Anniversary in 2018-2019 we have much to be proud of as an inclusive, safe and supportive organization that is a leading voice for social justice and equality in our community, but we also realize there is still more that needs to be done. Fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018) has been a phenomenal year of growth and development for the Chorus, artistically and financially, which included 45 public performances. Our season started in September 2017 with the cabaret show Hitting Rock Bottom: KnoW Hope at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook and the Uptown Underground on the north side of the city. The holiday show Naughty or Nice in December 2017 was back at the Athenaeum Theater for sold out performances, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, and the Beverly Art Center. The winter show, Lipstick & Lyrics: Vice Versa our live singing drag show in February 2018, delighted audiences in four shows at the Uptown Underground. We ended our season in May 2018 with an elaborate circus themed show Under the Big Top with guest performing Circus artists at the Athenaeum Theater, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, and the Beverly Arts Center. Beyond our regular mainstage and cabaret shows, we had numerous appearances and performances at community events across Chicagoland, including the Chicago AIDS Run/Walk opening ceremony, the city’s Arts in the Dark Halloween parade, the LGBT Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, performances with Chicago Tap Theater, the Chicago Pride Parade, Market Days, and Midsommarfest. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus has always been a place where our members have had the opportunity to share their unique LGBTQ+ stories in a safe and supportive environment. The Board of Directors is committed to providing the best possible experience for our members and a highly creative and entertaining performance for our audiences. That is why in March of 2018, the Board embarked on a strategic planning process that identified four strategic priorities for the next three to five years. The key strategic priorities focus on maximizing our Members experience, cultivating and developing our audiences and donors, while building a support network for the organization through stronger community engagement and partnerships. With this new strategic vision, the Chorus developed community partnerships with the Center on Halsted, Equality Illinois and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce this year. The Chorus has also concentrated efforts to increase fundraising with more grant writing, growing the Big Package Auction, and trying new programs such as Giving Tuesday, which provides a way for our Members to be more involved with fundraising by asking their family and friends for financial support. Ticket sales also increased over last year with new venues, strong marketing and lively programming. We could not have done all of these things this past year without the support of our Members, donors and ticket buyers. Thank you! Please enjoy reading the highlights of our season in this report and we look forwarding to celebrating our 35th Anniversary season together this coming year! CGMC BOARD OF DIRECTORS - SEASON 34 Michael J. Anderson, President Jimmy Byrne Marty Manuel Lynn Lundgren, Vice President Chandra Dennis Jamie Nelson Blake Hankins, Treasurer Ryan Fisher Jeffrey H. Port, MD Nancy Rampson, Secretary John F. Gordon Thomas L. Potter Catherine Kenyon Emily Stewart Michael J. Anderson Grace Chan James J. Morehead David Maier President Executive Director Artistic Director 3 our mission our vision We Build Community CGMC is a safe haven from discrimination and Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus is an inclusive, We Entertain and Enlighten judgment. And as part of a larger community, when community-based performing arts organization CGMC delivers a unique entertainment asked to help, CGMC heeds the call. We have sung that creates musical experiences to entertain and experience found nowhere else in the city. We at the Auditorium Theater honoring the victims of enlighten, inspire change, and build community. produce shows that combine the best elements of Sept. 11. We sing at smaller memorial services Through colorful performances that blend musical theater, cabaret and traditional choral honoring local community leaders…and sometimes traditional choral music with musical theater, jazz performance... but only CGMC can add that our own members. We have also raised our voices in and pop together with a gay aesthetic, we seek to special “twist of gaiety” that can make each show celebration, singing for special events such as a delight our audiences, enrich our members, and fun, moving and memorable. Mother’s Day brunch at a community center and the explore issues relevant to LGBTQ+ people and 2016 LGBT Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. We their allies - enlivening Chicago’s cultural We Inspire Change are humbled to realize that CGMC’s presence can landscape and creating a better community for all. CGMC serves as ambassadors and provides a bring comfort, healing, and the spirit of celebration to positive image to thousands every year. those around us. Whether you join us as a singer, a Sometimes the message to take action can be donor, or an audience member, the Chicago Gay our values delivered more effectively through song than Men’s Chorus cordially invites you to become part of through speech. our family. We Believe: Unique performances celebrate the diversity and talents of ourselves and our community Individual and group creativity is fostered through fun and entertaining musical theater Human dignity in all of its forms deserves an environment of mutual respect, fair and ethical treatment, and a sense of community that is inclusive of all Our songs and our stories change lives for the better 4 “I like that I am able to share my life with other men of color who have experiences similar with my own.” - Reggie Owens, Tenor 2 hightlights from season 34 Hitting Rock Bottom: KnoW Hope Cabaret 36 Public Naughty or Nice Holiday Concert Lipstick & Lyrics: Vice Versa - Live Singing Drag Show Performances Under the Big Top Spring Concert with special guest circus performers Big Package Auction 2018 Annual Fundraiser Joint Performance with Chicago Tap Theatre Community Outreach Halsted Market Days Performance Performance on Windy City Live 46 New Members Chicago AIDS Run/Walk Opening Ceremony DCASE Halloween Parade Northalsted Halloween Parade LGBT Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Caroling at the Intercontinental Hotel's Tree Lighting Chicago History Museum Caroling Service Club of Women Holiday Luncheon Harold Washington Library Holiday Concert Chicago History Museum Costume Council Caroling 204 Caroling at Senior Living at the Center on Halsted Center on Halsted Caroling Active Members Navy Pier Holiday Performance Andersonville Midsommarfest Performance Pridefest Performance Navy Pier Spring Show Performance COMMUNITY PARTNERS 6 “Being someone who seemed to never fit in his whole life, CGMC provides an environment where every crayon in the box is used, appreciated, and celebrated.” - Fred Kaminski, Tenor 2 Thank you to our Donors! Philip Darling Ron Katz Jeffrey H. Port, MD* Number of Donations in FY 2018: 395 Chandra Dennis* Catherine Kenyon* Thomas L. Potter* Average Gift Amount: $335 Brent Fisher & Patrick Pettit William L. Pry & Jim Rinnert Doris Lewy Nancy Rampson* Ryan Fisher* Reuben & Gary Lewy Ron Robert A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR FY Jim Fitzgerald Renata Lowe Randy Rogers 2018 DONORS OF $250 OR MORE Eric John Fredericks Lynn Lundgren* & David Johnston Michael J. Anderson* Steven Geiermann David Maier* Robert Ruschmeier & Andrew Caruso John Gordon* & Matthew McGrane Paul Shoun Robert Bach & Bill Salvato Marty Manuel* Thomas Sinkovic Jason Balla Jane & Bob Grover Rick Marzec Kelly Solaksubasi Molly & Josh Baynes Blake Hankins* & Tom Goodman Leslie Star Dee Beaubien & Blaine Stringer James Meiss Emily Stewart* Eric Boberg Robert Hargan Tom Myles Richard B. Turner Jimmy Byrne* Mary Claire Hersh Eric Nally James Collier Richard Campbell Richard Jamie Nelson* & Stuart Verseman & Jon Niehus & Elaine Heuberger Jason Ott Billy Vitucci Chris Chen Gerard Hillsman Dorice Pepin Ann Whitney Phillip Cooper & Rhett Lindsay Peter Hillsman Scott M. Perlman Roger Wilson Vinnie & Lawrence Cousineau Deborah H. Holdstein & Jim Davis Mark Zipperer Craig Dannenbrink & Jay W. Boersma Walter Pophin Mary R. Zukowksi & C.J. Jensen Philip Joseph & Bob Dwyer * denotes Board Member 8 thanks to our big package Chicago Humanities Hilton Chicago M. Henry auction 2018 donors Festival Hubbard Street Dance Mercantile M Chicago Opera Theater iO Theater Michael Ausiello About Face Theater Chicago Shakespeare It's All Greek 2 U Michael J. Anderson AIDS Foundation of Theater J. Keener Photography Museum of Science Chicago Chicago Symphony James Meiss & Industry Alliance Francaise Orchestra Jerry's Music Box Theatre American Writers Museum Chicago Zoological Joffrey Ballet Music of the Baroque Annoyance Theater Society/Brookfield Zoo Joseph Michaels Salon My Eye Dr. Arnold & Cindy DeGroot Clearly Cares Dental & Spa Octavio Cantina & Kitchen Auditorium Theatre Cowboy & Astronaut Julie Kaplan Photography Olive Press Benjamin Hladilek DANK Haus Kehoe Designs One