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2017 - 2018

ANNUAL REPORT

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The 2018 Chairman’s Awards Gala

Celebrated leaders within the theatre

community in the company of over 275

supporters at The Pierre on April 9, 2018.

HONOREESTony-winning composer David Yazbek

(The Band’s Visit) with the Creative

Achievement Award

The works of August Wilson (Fences, The Piano

Lesson) with the Legacy Award

Citi with the 40th Anniversary Corporate

Leadership Award

Special toast to

Carey Perloff, American Conservatory Theater, Artistic

Director on her 25th Anniversary

George Smith, Former Theatre Forward Board

member

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR...

Gala Sponsors + co-chairs:

Bank of America, Pamela Farr and Buford Alexander,

James S. and Lynne P. Turley

Honorary co-chairs :

Jack O’Brien, Constanza Romero, and

Denzel Washington Presenters and special appearances:

Jennifer Bielstein (Guthrie Theatre), Josh Borenstein

(Long Wharf Theatre), Danny Burstein, Chloe

Lomax-Blackwell (August Wilson Monologue

Competition Finalist), Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls),

Chazz Palminteri, Ethan Slater (Spongebob Squarep-

ants, The Broadway Musical)

The evening featured performances from:

Beth Leavel and Matthew Sklar (The Prom),

Kathryn Bostic and Eddie Allen performing “State of

Grace” in tribute to August Wilson, Katrina Lenk and

cast members from The Band’s Visit.

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT EVENTSTheatre Forward’s 40th Anniversary kicked off

with a special cocktail reception for our supporters

at the home of Board member Pamela Farr and

her husband Buford Alexander, highlighted by a

performance from Broadway star Rebecca Luker.

Monthly Happy Hours offer an opportunity for

our supporters to get behind-the-scenes insights

on the national theatre scene. With an emphasis

on productions that originated at our theatres,

attendees engage with guest artists prior to seeing

a performance. Among some of the artists who

participated and shared stories of their creative

process this year were: Jason Robert Brown (The

Prince of Broadway); Rebecca Taichman (Time

and the Conways); Pam McKinnon (Log Cabin);

Giovanna Sardelli (Describe the Night); Diane Paulus (In the Body of the World).

Theatre Forward’s 15th Annual Broadway Roundtable, hosted by UBS, was held on

February 2, 2018. The luncheon focused on issues

surrounding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI),

while sharing stories from the Broadway and

regional landscape. Our panelists included:

Heather A. Hitchens, Keegan-Michael Key, JohnLeguizamo, Daryl Roth, Lea Salonga, Irene Sankoff and David Hein.

Theatre Forward aims to advance the American theatre and its communities. As we complete our 40th year, our vision remains to increase access and opportunity for all to experience theatre that builds community and sets the stage for individual achievement.

Our signature programs: Advancing Strong Theatre and Educating Through Theatre

took major steps forward this year. We are happy to

share our impact on our community in this annual

report.

THEATRE FORWARD - FORTY YEARS

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ADVANCING STRONG THEATRETo foster programs that engage, inspire and build stronger communities, we awarded four $50,000 competitive grants to accelerate holistic Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) efforts at four theatres: Dallas Theater CenterDallas, TX

Public Works Dallas, a groundbreaking

community engagement and participatory theater

project designed to blur the line between

professional artists and Dallas community

members. Their production of William Shake-

speare’s The Winter’s Tale will feature 200 cast

members, only five of whom will be professional

actors. The remaining actors will be selected from

participating Dallas community partner

organizations based on workshops, auditions and

rehearsals carried out over many months.

Guthrie TheaterMinneapolis, MN

Stories from the Drum, a project which engages

local Native communities by supporting an

indigenous-led, indigenous-driven, indignous-

decolonized practice of working and creating in

community. This project will address and work to

ameliorate barriers to access that prevent Native

community members from participating fully in the

Guthrie season throughout late 2018 and early

2019.

The Old GlobeSan Diego, CA

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 Shakespeare play. Through a rich array of free arts engagement programs, including workshops that provide a hands-on introduction to the technical side of theatre, beginners’ playwriting, community-based theatre projects created by residents and artists, and community dinners, new audiences will be engaged in the theatre.

Seattle Repertory TheatreSeattle, WA

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 nonprofits, this free program invites a number of people to participate in weekly workshops in their own neighborhood, attend monthly shows and events at the Rep, and join in creating an ambitious work of professional, participatory theater. A musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It in September 2019 will feature a community ensemble of 60-80 citizen artists joined by Equity actors and local performers on the Rep mainstage.

Funding for Advancing Strong Theatre is provided by: James S. & Lynne P. Turley; Citi; The Schloss Family Foundation; Stephanie Scott; Bank of America;

Steven & Joy Bunson; Patti & Rusty Rueff Foundation; and The Board of Directors of Theatre Forward

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EDUCATING THROUGH THEATREStudies continue to show that children benefit from an education rich in the arts. We help ensure that our students receive equitable access to this beneficial programming regardless of their socio-economic status. Below are our signature education programs implemented in collaboration with our theatres in their local communities.

Staging Success has completed its two-year goal

of measuring the impact of arts participation on

school engagement as well as attitudinal and

behavioral changes of students at four member

theatres: American Conservatory Theater in San

Francisco, CA; Dallas Theater Center; Denver Center for the Performing Arts; and Seattle Repertory Theatre.

Professional Development and Direct 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

development for our education staff to expand

capacity. Approximately 78,640 students received

theatre exposure as a result of the included

progams. Self-facilitated professional programs

share best practices and issues of the day through

webinars, travel stipends and airfare.

Making Music supports activities and

assessment to expand students’ musical and

cultural understanding at four member theatres

across the country through teaching artist

engagement and theatrical exposure. The pilot

program took place at the Guthrie Theater in

Minneapolis, MN; Actors Theatre of Louisville;

Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI;

and Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Over 900

students received the program-related treatment,

and over 3,000 students attended the

performances.

The Genesis Initiative expands access to the

theatre for senior citizens through community

conversations around mainstage productions and

ongoing workshop experiences. Taking place at

Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT this year,

the program culminated in a final performance

created with the education department from the

14 participants’ own written stories.

“Validating the work that I put into it, it’s

inspired me to work even harder. The competition represents a commitment not only

to theatre as a whole and theatre of color but young people’s interest in theatre.”- Student

Finalist, August Wilson Monologue Competition,

Seattle Repertory Theatre

Supported by AT&T, and serving approximately

600 students, we look forward to sharing the

impact of these programs at the end of 2018.

Making Music is sponsored by The Augustine Foundation, with additional support from The Music Man Foundation.

We thank The Daryl and Steven Roth Foundation for supporting the first year of this

initiative.

Support provided by Southwest Airlines to

enable theatres to connect in person as well as

virtually. This program is generously supported

by The Hearst Foundations, Wells Fargo and

our individual patrons.

NATIONAL SOCIETYOur National Society members support our efforts

with their philanthropic contributions and join us

for a specially curated season of theatre

experiences. We highlight productions that have

direct connections to our theatres and engage with

the artists and creative teams behind the work.

Highlights from this past season: •Dinner with playwright Tony Kushner and Isaac Butler, co-author of “The World Only Spins

Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America”

between the two parts of Angels in America on

Broadway, where we discussed this play’s

sustained relevance 25 years after its heralded

premiere at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

•Dinner and a backstage tour of the revival of

Carousel with actor John Douglas Thompson as

we explored a fresh revival of this classic musical.

•Pre-and post-performance conversation with

John Cariani and the company of the

Tony-winning best musical, The Band’s Visit.

•Dinner and conversation with playwright David

Henry Hwang and producer Nelle Nugent about

adapting M. Butterfly in an age of greater sexual

fluidity.

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For National Society members, Theatre Forward

is the “go-to” source for exclusive theatrical experiences in

New York and across the country. 

OUR SUPPORTERSTo advance the American Theatre we rely on a community of supporters and we salute our dedicated Board and funders, listed on page 7, as well as a special group of donors who engage with us in year-long topical conversations and programming.

CORPORATE ACCESS PROGRAMS

DRIVING SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN

THEATRE Corporate partners are crucial to the work of

Theatre Forward in supporting its member

theatres. Theatre Forward offers corporate

employees access to shows throughout the year:

Over 21,000 patrons and corporate employees

nationwide accessed Save My Seat, which offers

discount and full-price tickets on and

off Broadway, as well as nationally, through our

website at www.theatreforward.org.

Our popular Spotlight Series at Broadway’s most

popular shows offered employees tickets to the

hottest shows at deeply discount prices to 18

events, including WICKED, THE BAND’S VISIT,

HELLO, DOLLY!, FROZEN and more.

Our concierge house seat service served over

200 executives with the best seats in the house for

personal or professional use.

To find out how you and your company can join our 30+ corporate partners and participate in Theatre Forward’s access

programs, contact Carl Sylvestre at csylvestre@theatreforward.org

To learn more about getting involved and being part Broadway’s only curated

patron program, contact us atnationalsociety@theatreforward.org

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SUPPORTERS ($2,500-$9,999) Joe Baio & Anne Griffin*Sheri & Les Biller Foundation Sue Ann Collins*Dramatists Play Service, Inc.Kevin & Anne Driscoll* John R. Dutt*Jessica FarrLucy Fato & Matt Detmer*Foresight TheatricalSteven & Donna Gartner*Glen Gillen & Michael Lawrence Richard K. Greene•Nancy Hancock Griffith*Joyce & Gregory Hurst•JujamcynRob Kauffman*Evelyn Mack Truitt*Jonathan Maurer & Gretchen Shugart•Louise Moriarty & Patrick Stack*Sarah RobertsonDaryl and Steven Roth Foundation♦Elliott Sernel & Larry Falconio* Ten Chimneys FoundationTheaterMania John Thomopoulos•Ubiñas Family Charitable Trust Michael A. Wall*

FRIENDS ($1,500-$2,499)Cathy DantchikDebi FeinmanCatherine GropperTed Hartley & Dina Merrill Patti & John Heller* Nancy & Neal Kaplan* David Katz* Samuel French, Inc.Amy & David Schwartz* Donna & Jack Sennott*Patricia Steele* WME

FANS ($1,499 and below)Robert DwyerPaul EllisEugene O’Neill Theatre CenterManhattan Theatre Club Mary & Gerald MillmanRichard NagrodskyDorothy Strelsin FoundationRLM - Trial GraphixDaryl RothVeritext Legal Solutions/Debbie Saline

* National Society Membership†Includes In-kind support♦Educating Through Theatre Support•Advancing Strong Theatre SupportYou 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.

THEATRE FORWARD BOARDOF DIRECTORS

HONORARY CHAIRRichard Thomas

CHAIRMANJohn Thomopoulos, Ernst & Young

VICE-CHAIRMANJames S. Turley

PRESIDENTGretchen Shugart

VICE-PRESIDENTSJoshua Borenstein, Long Wharf TheatreSteven Bunson, Goldman, Sachs & Co.Paula A. Dominick, Credit Suisse

SECRETARY Bruce R. Ewing, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

TREASURER Frank Orlowski

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT-LARGEIsabelle Winkles, Cognizant

DIRECTORSMitchell J. Auslander, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPYvonne Bell, Center Theatre GroupJennifer Bielstein, American Conservatory TheaterRena De Sisto, Bank of AmericaPamela FarrFloyd W. Green, III, AetnaRichard K. Greene, CitiJeffrey Herrmann, Seattle Repertory TheatreGregory S. Hurst, UBSKevin E. Moore, Actors Theatre of Louisville Kevin Moore, Cleveland Play HouseTom Parrish, Trinity Repertory CompanyThomas C. QuickSteven Showalter, American Repertory TheaterTim Shields, The Old GlobeDaniel A. Simkowitz, Morgan StanleyTerrence P. Yanni, BNY Mellon Wealth Management

EMERITUS Raymond BoyceJames E. BuckleyChris CampbellRosalyn and Irwin EngelmanHal HolbrookEvelyn Mack Truitt Michael A. Wall

FUNDERS July 2017 - June 2018

Theatre Forward and our theatres are most grateful to the following funders:

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE ($100,000+)AT&T♦The Hearst Foundations♦James S. & Lynne Turley♦•*

THEATRE EXECUTIVES ($50,000-$99,999) Bank of America•Citi•The Schloss Family Foundation♦•Wells Fargo♦

BENEFACTORS ($25,000-$49,999)Buford Alexander & Pamela Farr •The Augustine Foundation♦BNY MellonSteve & Joy Bunson•EYGoldman, Sachs & Co. MetLifePatti & Rusty Rueff Foundation•Stephanie Scott•Morgan Stanley

PACESETTERS ($15,000-$24,999) American Express AudienceViewBloomberg PhilanthropiesPaula A. Dominick•The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Alan & Jennifer Freedman•*Frank & Bonnie Orlowski•Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. The Music Man Foundation♦MeltwaterPfizer, Inc.Leslie C. Quick, Jr. & Regina A. Quick Charitable Trust FoundationSouthwest Airlines♦†TD Charitable Foundation♦George S. Smith, Jr.* •UBS

DONORS ($10,000-$14,999)AetnaMitchell J. Auslander•DELLDorsey & Whitney FoundationBruce R. & Tracey Ewing•KLDiscoveryMary Kitchen & Jon Orszag* Anthony & Diane Lembke*Lisa Orberg♦PresidioRBC Wealth Management Daniel A. Simkowitz•S&P GlobalIsabelle Winkles•Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Theatre Forward 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 2303 New York, NY 10018 T. 212 750 6895 www.theatreforward.org @TheatreForwardhttps://www.facebook.com/TheatreForward

MEMBER THEATRES

Actors Theatre of Louisville* (Louisville, KY)

Alley Theatre (Houston, TX)

Alliance Theatre

(Atlanta, GA)

American Conservatory Theater* (San Francisco, CA)

American Repertory Theater*

(Cambridge, MA)

Arena Stage

(Washington, DC)

Center Theatre Group*

(Los Angeles, CA)

Cleveland Play House*

(Cleveland, OH)

Dallas Theater Center (Dallas, TX)

Denver Center for the Performing Arts

(Denver, CO)

Goodman Theatre (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)

Trinity Repertory Company*

(Providence, RI)

Walnut Street Theatre

(Philadelphia, PA)

*Denotes Founding Theatre

THEATRE FORWARD STAFF

Bruce E. WhitacreExecutive Director

bwhitacre@theatreforward.org

Carl SylvestreDirector of Development

csylvestre@theatreforward.org

Emily MillerDirector of Strategic Partnerships & Programs

emiller@theatreforward.org

Em AtkinsOperations & Events Coordinator

eatkins@theatreforward.org

Leah Ferentinos Communications & Marketing Manager

lferentinos@theatreforward.org