2010
R E P O RT TO T H E
C O M M U N I T Y
2011
O P E R AD E L AWA R E
COLLEEN DALY IN HER PROFESSIONAL OPERATIC DEBUT AS VIOLETTA IN “LA TRAVIATA”. A FAMILY STARTING NEW TRADITIONS AT OPERADELAWARE
Where opera inspires, traditions continue and legends begin For 66 years, OperaDelaware has been producing critically acclaimed operatic productions on a very tight budget. Much has changed over the years, but what we value, “Opera for Everyone,” remains the same. We are dedicated to this simple philosophy. We keep prices affordable while producing the “best
SOLD-OUT SUNDAY PERFORMANCES FOR ‘TRAVIATA’ & ‘WIDOW’
traditional opera in the region.” We produce youth opera programs that change lives in our Studio, at The Grand and in schools throughout the region. We produce numerous adult education programs that reach thousands throughout the region. We are reaching a new and different audience through
YOUTH OPERA PROGRAM ‘HMS PINAFORE’ 42 STUDENTS FROM 24 SCHOOLS
our Studio Series. And most importantly, over the years, we have launched the national and international careers of more than 100 artists on our stages, right here in Wilmington! In other words, we are influencing the future of Delaware, and the future of opera across the world.
STUDENTS WAITING FOR ‘THE MERRY WIDOW’ DRESS REHEARSAL
OPERADELAWARE’S 2010-13 Strategic Plan The process started last summer when our committee devised a comprehensive Strategic Plan to ensure the permanence and stability of OperaDelaware. Five subteams were formed from 25 individuals drawn from across the state who had varying relations to OperaDelaware. These teams worked very hard to examine and remedy a number of issues within our organization and bring to it a pragmatic model of fiscal responsibility and artistic, geographical and cultural diversity. OperaDelaware’s strategic objectives for the next two years were incorporated into 5 major organizational goals. Each goal was then specifically addressed with a series of strategies and objectives designed to achieve success. Many of these objectives have already been completed. The plan also identified IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, OPERADELAWARE HAS REDUCED ITS DEBT BY 70% FROM $1.2 M TO $365,000 AND ITS OPERATING BUDGET FROM A $495,000 DEFICIT TO A $19,000 SURPLUS IN FY10!
committees and leadership positions responsible for achieving each task. In this way, the plan provided for both implementation and accountability. The result: for the first time in over a decade OperaDelaware finished in the black in FY10. OperaDelaware is unusual among arts organizations, insofar as it reduced its operating deficit from $495,000 in FY07, just before the onset of the “great recession,” to ending FY10 $19,000 in the black. We also are projecting a balanced budget for FY11. Thus, our operating budget trend line is positive, at a time when numerous opera and other performing arts organizations nationwide are declaring bankruptcy. We accomplished this feat by taking
collaboration and cultivation to new heights: collaborating with local nonprofits and joining forces with them to reduce expenditures in non-strategic categories and cultivating audiences beyond our opera house - in neighborhoods throughout Delaware, nurturing operatic talent on our stages, in our Studios and in schools. The initiatives have revitalized OperaDelaware and opera in the region!
T H E R E S U LT S
THE FOUNDATION Our Mission is to enrich the cultural lives of adults, families and students within the Mid-Atlantic region through meaningful arts education, the production of professional grand opera, and intimate opera concerts featuring the best professional and emerging talent on the East Coast. Our Values are the cornerstone of who we are, what we stand for and how we interact with our community. Excellence: We believe in presenting work of the highest quality in all of our endeavors.
DEVEL OP L ARG ER B ASE R E H O BOT H BE AC H & SE L BY VIL L E
MAINTAIN & DEVELOP NEW AL L IANCES F IR S T S TAT E B AL L E T & C ENTE R C I TY O P E R A TH EATR E
Education: We believe in providing a nurturing environment for emerging artists and offering adults and youth the richest possible learning experiences. Outreach: We believe in building long-term, meaningful relationships with children from underserved schools who have little or no access to music. Diversity: We believe in the inclusion of diverse people, ideas and cultures in order to be a valued asset to our community. Collaboration: We believe in strengthening the region’s cultural and artistic community through collaborations with institutions and universities in the region.
PRESERVE & EXPAND EDUC ATION PROGRA MS PROF TEACHER WORKSHOP 4 6 RE D C LAY T E ACH ERS
Financial Health: We believe in maintaining fiscal responsibility by making wise and efficient use of all resources entrusted to us. Heritage: We believe that preserving grand opera and opera education is vital for the strength and vitality of a thriving community.
STRENG THEN F INANCES T H RO U G H S P EC IA L E VENT S OPERA BALL 2011
The Plan Goal 1: Develop Larger Audience Base
a) Increase Geographic Range: present Studio Series at Rehoboth Beach, Freeman Stage and Longwood Gardens (completed/in discussion). Collaborate with Center City Opera and Academy of Vocal Arts Concert Opera (completed/confirmed 2012). Present a Summer Opera in UD’s theatre (not started).
cross-marketing and support through a) Research Feasibility of Capital ARTS PARTNER E-blasts (on-going). Campaign and Debt Restructuring: Studio Campaign (in-progress). c) Cross-market with local businesses Board appointed committee for Amtrak, Hotel DuPont and Chelsea’s restructuring debt (on-going). (on-going). d) Cross-market w/ Regional Orgs: Clear Space Theatre - Rehoboth Beach, Longwood, AVA & Center City Opera (on-going). Goal 3: Preserve and Expand Education Programs for Youth & Adults
b) Increase Audience Diversity: Develop College Council (in progress). Focus a) Improve and Enhance Youth on Social and Networking Groups (in Education Opportunities: Pilot progress). Develop Guild Troupe to Workshops to include audition perform in the community (not training, scene study for teenagers (in started). Increase on-line website progress). Launch Summer Intensive presence to attract younger Opera Program (on hold). Research audiences (completed). Create Family All-State Youth Opera Program and Friday Nights (completed). Offer establish collaboration with DE Shuttle Bus (completed). Music Educators Assoc. (not started). c) Expand Artistic Diversity: Develop b) Reduce Barriers to Participation for Studio Series to include chamber Youth: Expand Wilmington Youth operas, themed evenings to attract Opera Program (in progress). more diversity (in progress). Expand professional teacher Develop OperaLab - Adult development workshops (on-going). Workshops - concentrating on new Develop phase 2 of WYOP to include works, or rarely performed 1Act middle-& high-school students (inoperas (in progress). progress.) Goal 2: Maintain and Develop New Alliances
a) Increase Opportunities with Local Arts Orgs. to Reduce Cost and Expand Audience Base: Engage DSO to play for our operas (talks on hold). Explore Russian Festival in 2013 w/ DSO, The Grand, DTC, FSBT and DAM (in progress).
Goal 4: Strengthen Board
a) Develop New Board Member Orientation and Training Books (completed). b) Increase Board Development and Training Opportunities (in progress). c) Increase Board Recruitment (ongoing).
b) Increase Opportunities w/Local Orgs d) Re-establish OperaDelaware Guild to Enhance Co-marketing and (in progress). Audience Sharing: Collaborate w/ Goal 5: Strengthen The Grand, DSO, FSBT and DAM -
OperaDelaware’s Finances through Various Initiatives
b) Undertake New Fundraising Event: Development and Guild Committee to establish new fundraising event (in progress). c) Launch Major Gift Initiative: Brick Campaign (on-going). Thank you and Alumni Gatherings (in progress). Refine Opera Society benefits (ongoing). Guild Events Around Town (not started). Establish Prospecting Committee (completed). d) Strengthen & Expand Corporate and Foundation Networks: Establish corporate and foundation solicitation program (in-progress). Hold corporate receptions (Fall 2011) Offer Corporate Hospitality Package as an alternative to the sport entertainment package (Summer 2011). THE CONCLUSION Through this planning process, the Board has come to better understand our organization’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. In doing so, it has enabled us to create effective strategies to address those challenges. We believe that this plan marks a beginning of a period of growth and opportunity for OperaDelaware. It is a workable framework of goals and objectives that can be achieved over the next two years. We will hold ourselves accountable for implementation, and the plan itself will be reviewed and updated in July 2011 as new challenges and opportunities arise.
OPERADELAWARE
2011-12 SEASON At the crossroads of good and evil, sin and soul, hope and despair, you’ll find the beauty and drama of our 2011-2012 season—where the nobility of timeless characters meets the ability of our talented artists. Executive Director Leland P. Kimball III has once again selected a range of magnificent operas and events of the highest quality that you have come to expect from OperaDelaware. We invite you to join us for a world-class season of grand operas, intimate concerts, unstoppable talent and opera classes that engage and inspire our community for young and old alike. We’ve also created several new options designed to make it easier to join us for the 2011-2012 Season: Opera Shuttle Bus for those who need help getting to The Grand, Friday Family Night to start new family traditions, Flex Tickets for those with conflicting schedules and an enlarged midpriced ticket section. We look forward to seeing you at the opera!
STUDIO SERIES FALL SERIES: SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 AT 7:30 PM SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 AT 7:30 PM SEPTEMBER 25, 2011 AT 2:00 PM SPRING SERIES: MARCH 23, 2012 AT 7:30 PM MARCH 24, 2012 AT 7:30 PM MARCH 25, 2012 AT 2:00 PM
T H E M AG I C F L U T E IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
OCTOBER 30, 2011 AT 2:00 PM NOVEMBER 4, 2011 AT 7:30 PM NOVEMBER 5, 2011 AT 7:30 PM
OPERADELAWARE’S EDUCATION PROGRAMS BUILD COMMUNITY With more than a dozen year-round education programs, OperaDelaware reaches more than 6,000 adults and youth each season. Whether it’s our Adult Education programs that are presented throughout the state or our Youth Education programs that are presented in underserved schools, at The Grand or in our Studio on the Riverfront, OperaDelaware is building community through the arts of opera.
BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART DIRECTOR: JOE BANNO
THE GERSHWIN’S
PORGY & BESS IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
MAY 6, 2012 AT 2:00 PM MAY 11, 2012 AT 7:30 PM
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR YOUTH AND ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. www.operade.org (302)658-8063
MAY 12, 2012 AT 7:30 PM BY GEORGE GERSHWIN, DUBOSE AND DOROTHY HEYWARD, AND IRA GERSHWIN CONDUCTOR: STUART MALINA DIRECTOR: LELAND P. KIMBALL, III