LIGHTS UP ON A NEW DAY
ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022 SEASON
OVERVIEW
Carole Rothman, President & Artistic Director
Khady Kamara, Executive Director
Second Stage was thrilled to reopen our theaters for the 2021-22 Season. We came back from the COVID-19 shut-down not knowing what to expect and successfully mounted a season of extraordinary new plays. The season culminated with TAKE ME OUT, which won two Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Supporting Actor for Jesse Tyler Ferguson. In addition to producing six plays across three stages, we launched new programs to broaden the reach of our work and make our productions accessible to all. Highlights included: Simulcast performances of LETTERS OF SURESH and CLYDE’S, making us the first Broadway theater to live stream performances Live streaming CLYDE’S for residents at Rikers Island and hosting a post-show virtual conversation — a first for the facility Hosting our first Fair Chance Job Fair to connect justice impacted job seekers with career opportunities Developing partnerships with organizations including Youth Justice Network, NYU Creative Careers Accelerator, Housing Works, and Broadway Advocacy Coalition to provide new programs and bring audiences to the theater These are just a few of the things we’re most proud of. We’re thrilled to share the highlights of our 43rd season with our community with this annual report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Main Stage Productions
12 Organizational Culture
6 2ST Uptown
13 Thank You to Our Community
7 New Play Development
14 Board of Trustees
8 Community Engagement
15 Individual Supporters
9 CLYDE’S Community Programs
16 Corporate Donors, Foundations, and Government Agencies
10 Special Events
MISSION STATEMENT At Second Stage, we create and champion plays and musicals solely from living American writers. On our mainstage Broadway theater, the Hayes, and in our two Off Broadway theaters over the past 43 years, we have developed and presented over 200 daring and provocative theatrical experiences by working with countless artists who have contributed their talents to our award-winning productions. As the only Broadway company exclusively devoted to living American writers, Second Stage is dedicated to introducing the world to bold and diverse voices of American creativity.
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MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Ali Ahn in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo by Joan Marcus.
LETTERS OF SURESH WORLD PREMIERE COMMISSION
RAJIV JOSEPH DIRECTED BY MAY ADRALES BY
cast: Ali Ahn, Ramiz Monsef, Kellie Overbey, and Thom Sesma scenic design: Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams costume design: Amy Clark lighting design: Jiyoun Chang
sound design and original music: Charles Coes and Nathan A. Roberts projection design: Shawn Duan audience: 7,061
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Ramiz Monsef in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo: Joan Marcus
AWARDS LUCILLE LORTEL AWARD: Outstanding Projection Design — Shawn Duan
Uzo Aduba, Kara Young, Ron Cephas Jones, Edmund Donovan and Reza Salazar in CLYDE’S. Photo by Joan Marcus.
CLYDE’S
AWARDS
LYNN NOTTAGE DIRECTED BY KATE WHORISKEY BY
cast: Uzo Aduba, Ron Cephas Jones, Edmund Donovan, Reza Salazar, and Kara Young scenic design: Takeshi Kata
sound design: Justin Ellington
costume design: Jennifer Moeller
original music: Justin Hicks
lighting design: Christopher Akerlind
audience: 34,848
CLARENCE DERWENT AWARD: Kara Young DRAMA DESK: Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play — Christopher Akerlind, Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play — Takeshi Kata, Outstanding Costume Design for a Play — Jennifer Moeller, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play — Ron Cephas Jones DRAMA LEAGUE: Outstanding Direction of a Play — Kate Whoriskey OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play — Uzo Aduba THEATRE WORLD AWARD: Kara Young 3
Jay Armstrong Johnson, Maulik Pancholy, and Britton Smith in TO MY GIRLS. Photo by Joan Marcus.
TO MY GIRLS WORLD PREMIERE COMMISSION
JC LEE DIRECTED BY STEPHEN BRACKETT
BY
cast: Bryan Batt, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Carman Lacivita, Maulik Pancholy, Noah J. Ricketts, and Britton Smith scenic design: Arnulfo Maldonado
sound design: Sinan Refik Zafar
costume design: Sarafina Bush
audience: 10,381
lighting design: Jen Schriever
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The cast of TO MY GIRLS: Bryan Batt, Carman Lacivita, Maulik Pancholy, Noah J Ricketts, Britton Smith, and Jay Armstrong Johnson. Photo by Evan Zimmerman.
Tyler Lansing Weaks, Carl Lundstedt, Jesse Williams, Hiram Delgado, and Patrick J. Adams in TAKE ME OUT. Photo by Joan Marcus.
TAKE ME OUT RICHARD GREENBERG DIRECTED BY SCOTT ELLIS BY
cast: Patrick J. Adams, Julian Cihi, Hiriam Delgado, Brandon J. Dirden, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Carl Lundstedt, Ken Marks, Michael Oberholtzer, Eduardo Ramos, Tyler Lansing Weaks, and Jesse Williams scenic design: David Rockwell
sound design: Bray Poor
costume design: Linda Cho
audience: 58,075
lighting design: Kenneth Posner
AWARDS DRAMA LEAGUE: Outstanding Revival of a Play OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE: Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play — Jesse Tyler Ferguson THEATRE WORLD AWARD: Patrick J. Adams Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater — Michael Oberholtzer TONY AWARD: Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play — Jesse Tyler Ferguson 5
2ST UPTOWN 20 ANNIVERSARY TH
Grace Rex, Cathryn Wake, Marianna McClellan, and Anna Crivelli in 53% OF. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
Jonathan Burke and Justiin Davis in PATIENCE. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
53% OF
PATIENCE
BY
BY
cast: Anna Crivelli, Eden Malyn, Marianna McClellan, Grace Rex, Cathryn Wake, and Ayana Workman
cast: Zainab Barry, Jonathan Burke, Nemuna Ceesay, Justiin Davis, and Mary E. Hodges
scenic design: Emmie Finckel
scenic design: Lawrence E. Moten III
STEPH DEL ROSSO DIRECTED BY TIFFANY NICHOLE GREENE
costume design: Lux Haac
sound design and original music: Jane Shaw audience: 2,487
lighting design: Mextly Couzin
JOHNNY G. LLOYD DIRECTED BY ZHAILON LEVINGSTON
costume design: Avery Reed
sound design: Christopher Darbassie audience: 2,143
lighting design: Adam Honore
2ST UPTOWN has an extraordinary track record of launching some of America’s leading playwrights, and is the entry point for long-term relationships with artists, like our partnership with Bess Wohl:
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2014
2017
2019
2022
AMERICAN HERO premieres at 2ST UPTOWN
2ST commissions a new play from Bess
MAKE BELIEVE debuts at the Tony Kiser Theater
Bess’s newest play, CAMP SIEGFRIED, kicks off the 2022-23 season at the Tony Kiser Theater
Bess makes her Broadway debut with the Tony-nominated GRAND HORIZONS at the Hayes Theater
NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT Second Stage’s New Play Development programs — including commissions, readings, and workshops — create a pipeline of bold and engaging plays for our stages. As a writer-focused theater, we provide a supportive environment where all artists can do their best work, and we nurture the careers of artists over time.
NEW VOICES READING SERIES
READINGS AND WORKSHOPS
The Judith Champion New Voices Reading Series is a new annual event and our first public-facing reading series. It gives audiences the opportunity to hear new plays by up-and-coming writers. We were saddened to learn of Judith’s passing in August 2022 and are deeply grateful for her vision and her generous support of our work.
Readings and workshops are a critical part of the play development process. When writers hear their words spoken aloud by actors, it can be a significant turning point in their writing process. We hosted 9 readings in 2021-22:
THE LARK PLAYWRIGHTS WORKSHOP AT SECOND STAGE In 2022, Second Stage took on one of the Lark’s programs. Five playwrights met in six sessions from April – June. They shared new work, read cold by a group of high caliber actors. Writers invited collaborators and stakeholders to observe their work in development.
Alexis Scheer’s ‘TIL DEATH — 2 readings Lisa D’Amour’s THE SMOKER Jen Silverman’s SPAIN — 2 readings Steph Del Rosso’s 53% OF Leslye Headland’s CULT OF LOVE Bess Wohl’s CAMP SIEGFRIED Johnny G. Lloyd’s PATIENCE COMMISSIONED WRITERS Will Butler Lisa D’Amour Lydia Diamond Laura Eason Ross Golan Lisa Kron Matthew Lopez Lynn Nottage Sarah Ruhl Alexis Scheer Jen Silverman Paula Vogel Lauren Yee Anna Ziegler COMMISSIONS ADDED IN FY22 Larissa Fasthorse Johnny G. Lloyd Keenan Scott II Danielle Stagger Daniel Tejera
Reading of Johnny G. Lloyd’s PATIENCE.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CLYDE'S food truck. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
SIMULCASTS
We provided simulcast streaming for the last two weeks of LETTERS OF SURESH and CLYDE’S. Nearly 6,000 households from across the US watched the shows in real-time, an experience as close as possible to that of being at the theater. CLYDE’S marked the first time a Broadway show has been simulcast.
APPRENTICESHIPS Community members with Uzo Aduba and Tony Goldwyn. Photo by Fadi Kheir.
Youth Justice Network van at the Fair Chance Job Fair. Photo by Libby Fox.
Inspired by CLYDE’S, 2ST launched an Apprenticeship Program for justice-impacted individuals. Our apprentices received hands on training in production, management, and operations, and worked in alignment with our production schedules. Second Stage partnered with the Youth Justice Network and Housing Works.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS 2ST partnered with Youth Justice Network and Housing Works on our first Fair Chance Job Fair on June 6 at the Hayes Theater, connecting formerly incarcerated and justice system impacted job seekers with employers in the theater and nonprofit industries.
Fair Chance Job Fair. Photo by Libby Fox.
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We worked with the NYU Creative Careers Accelerator, a program matching cohorts of students with companies to solve real-world problems. Our first cohort worked on planning the Job Fair, and our second cohort researched partners for community programs for the upcoming season.
CLYDE'S post-show talkback. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
CLYDE’S COMMUNITY PROGRAMS With support from the Art for Justice Fund, Second Stage created partnerships and activities to amplify the themes in CLYDE’S and engage audiences in conversation about the criminal justice system. PARTNERS: Ameelio Art for Justice Fund Broadway Advocacy Coalition exalt Fortune Society League of Women Voters Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan Project Renewal Reentry @ Lehman College Rehabilitation Through the Arts Youth Justice Network SUBSIDIZED TICKETS: We provided 200 free tickets to the above groups and made $20 tickets available to their networks. VIDEOS: For each partner, we created a video highlighting their work. Videos were shared on social media to amplify our partnerships.
ART EXHIBIT: We displayed art by justiceimpacted and incarcerated artists in the Hayes, in partnership with the Prison Creative Arts Project, Youth Justice Network and Fortune Society. TALKBACKS: Each group curated a post-show talkback. These thought-provoking conversations included people with lived experience of the justice system. LEARNING AND ADVOCACY RESOURCES: 2ST and the Art for Justice Fund created three resources to educate audiences about issues surrounding mass incarceration, how to support returning citizens, and Fair Chance hiring. JOB FAIR: This event connected justice systemimpacted people with employers in the theater, non-profit, and hospitality industries that are committed to Fair Chance hiring. RIKERS ISLAND SIMULCAST: 2ST provided access to a simulcast of CLYDE’S for residents at Rikers Island, a first for the facility. Viewers participated in a pre-show workshop and a virtual talkback.
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SPECIAL EVENTS GALA Honoring Debra Martin Chase and Lynn Nottage November 15, 2021 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers CO-CHAIRS AND HONORARY CHAIRS Carol Sutton Lewis and William M. Lewis, Jr. Stephen and Kitty Sherrill Lia Vollack Viola Davis and Julius Tennon Queen Latifah Condola Rashad Shonda Rhimes Darren Walker
Gala honorees Debra Martin Chase and Lynn Nottage. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
TABLE PURCHASERS Janet and Tom Montag Stephen and Kitty Sherrill Terry and Bob Lindsay Anthony C.M. Kiser Kevin Brockman and Dan Berendsen Kathryn and Bill Tyree Elizabeth and Rodney Berens Bloomberg Philanthropies Laurie A. Erlandson John and Louise Bryson Select Equity Group, L.P. Barbara Whitman American Express Natalie Diggins and Oren Michels B&G Foods, Inc.
Susan Wasserstein and George Sard Angela Sun and Ate Atema Alice Pacthod Ira Schreck and Barbara S. Ginsberg Gina Maria Leonetti Signature Bank Ropes & Gray LLP SISTER/MANAGEMENT Market Road Films John Sorkin and Jessica Jacobson Mia and Fergus Campbell Dre and Pitch Lindsay Mary Tavener Holmes Gabrielle and Michael Palitz Elin and Michael Nierenberg
Performance by Brandy. Photo by Margarita Corporan.
Carole Rothman and Khady Kamara addresses the guests. Photo by Margarita Corporan
Musical performance at the Gala. Photo by Margarita Corporan.
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Gala entertainment. Photo by Margarita Corporan
ALL-STAR BOWLING CLASSIC May 9, 2022 at Bowlero Times Square LEAD EVENT SPONSOR: Select Equity CO-CHAIRS: Elin Nierenberg, Ira Schreck, Stephen Sherrill All-Star Bowling Classic. Photo by Michaelah Reynolds
EARLY BIRD PRODUCER LANES: BRS and Co., L.L.C., Lindsay Goldberg, Steve and Maureen Klinsky, Elin Nierenberg PRODUCER LANES: B&G Foods, Kirkland & Ellis, Ira Schreck DIRECTOR LANES: Gina Maria Leonetti, Ropes & Gray LLP
All-Star Bowling Classic. Photo by Michaelah Reynolds
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ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION Second Stage is committed to addressing racism and bias in our industry and creating an organizational culture that advances that goal. In 2021 we created a cross-departmental Transformation Team to examine our systems, culture and practices. This team has identified three strategic values which will guide our work — on and off stage — in the future. We affirm our commitment to creating an inclusive work culture and to practicing anti-racism on stage, backstage, in our audience, and in all our organizational spaces.
RESUMING IN-PERSON WORK
2ST staff and members of the TAKE ME OUT cast at softball game.
In summer 2021, as we realized that we would be producing and presenting a full season of plays, we began to restaff our production and artistic team, front of house, box office, and other key positions which had been impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. As staff started to return to our theaters and administrative offices, we navigated the return-to-work policies throughout the year with the goal of upholding the best practices to maintain operations while keeping our artists, staff, and audiences safe. By fall of 2021 we were nearly back to our pre-pandemic staffing levels. We expect that some level of remote work will continue well into the future.
STAFF DEMOGRAPHICS AGE
ETHNICITY
7.0%
6.7%
60 and Over
44.8%
13.8%
Under 30
50– 59
13.3%
Black or African American
Asian
3.3%
Two or more races
70%
White
6.7%
17.2%
Hispanic or Latino
40– 49
17.2%
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30– 39
Self reporting survey of the staff, Sept 2022.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY Second Stage is grateful to our community of trustees and donors for their generous support during the 2021-22 season. Your commitment to our mission and our programs made it possible for Second Stage to return to in-person performances stronger than ever. Thank you!
Community members at CLYDE'S final dress rehearsal. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
CLYDE'S final dress rehearsal benefitting community partners Fortune Society, League of Women Voters, and Rehabilitation Through the Arts. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
CLYDE'S final dress rehearsal. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
Usher at the Hayes Theater. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES TRUSTEES WHO SERVED DURING THE 2021 – 2022 SEASON Terry Lindsay, Chair Laurie Erlandson, Co-Vice-Chair and Treasurer Tony Goldwyn, Co-Vice-Chair Gabrielle London Palitz, Secretary Carole Rothman*, Artistic Director Khady Kamara, Executive Director Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Elizabeth C. Berens Kevin Brockman Louise Henry Bryson Mia Campbell Debra Martin Chase Sally Dayton Clement Lawrence G. Creel Frances Daly Fergusson Deeksha Gaur Mary Tavener Holmes Wendy Evans Joseph
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Anthony C. M. Kiser** Janet Lynne Knopf Gina Maria Leonetti Dre Taylor Lindsay Oren Michels Robert Nash Elin Nierenberg Lynn Nottage Alice Pacthod Bambi Putnam Nathan E. Saint-Amand Ira Schreck
Stephen C. Sherrill** Sydney R. Shuman Stewart R. Smith John Sorkin Angela Sun Natasa Valocchi Susan Wasserstein Candace K. Weir *Co-Founder **Chairman Emeritus
TAKE ME OUT wins the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS Thank you for your ongoing and generous support.
PERMIER PATRONS
PRODUCERS CIRCLE
Judith Champion and Mel Litoff Lawrence Creel and Dana Fentress Peter and Laura Grauer Foundation Wendy Evans Joseph and Jeffrey Ravetch Tony Kiser and Lisa Atkin Robert and Terry Lindsay Dr. Nathan E. Saint-Amand Kitty and Stephen Sherrill
Jen Ablon Anonymous Elizabeth and Rodney Berens Cynthia Coudert Laurie Erlandson Robyn Goodman Mitchell and Amy Josephs Judi and Douglas Krupp Gina Maria Leonetti Kay and Chris Linneman Musa and Tom Mayer Marianne and Steve Mills Stacey and Eric Mindich Renée Petrofes and Gerald McNamara Dean Pitchford and Michael Mealiffe Kay Rothman and Tom Bundrick Ira Schreck and Barbara Ginsberg David and Amy Davidson Sorkin John Studzinski Angela Sun and Ate Atema Marjorie Van Dercook Cindy Wenig
$50,000 AND ABOVE
PLAYWRIGHTS CIRCLE $25,000 – $49,999
Sally Dayton Clement and Stephen Clement Mary Tavener Holmes Maureen Sherry and Steven Klinsky Michael Palitz and Gabrielle London Palitz Robin Ferracone and Stewart Smith Candace Weir
DIRECTORS CIRCLE $15,000 – $24,999
Anonymous David Benkof Kevin Brockman and Dan Berendsen Katie Couric and John Molner George Loening and Kimbrough Towles Alice and Daniel Pacthod John and Elizabeth Robertshaw Emilia Saint-Amand Susan Wasserstein and George Sard Lee Wolf and Jordan Cohen
$10,000 – $14,999
LEADERS
$6,500 – $9,999 Timothy Andrews Keely and J.T. Compton James Gleick Laurie Goldberger and Leslie Kogod Richard and Becky Hahn Barbara Hauptman and Jonathan Falk Alison Holtzschue and Doug Schloss Bruce Horten and Aaron Lieber Rachel Hutchinson Maxine Isaacs Chien Cho Liu
Georgeanne and Peter Moss Darin Oduyoye Barbara Raho Matthew Schermerhorn and Andy Rice John Sorkin and Jessica Jacobson Nancy Weiss
SPONSORS
$4,000 – $6,499 Christine Amorossi Jody and John Arnhold Barbara and Paul Bernstein Robi and Ruth Blumenstein Roxanne and Scott Bok Daryl Boren Brisa and Mark Carleton Betsy Cohn Barbaralee DiamonsteinSpielvogel William Donnell Frances Fergusson Richard A. Garvey Melissa Gibbs Carol Greenwald Glenn Gundersen David Herz and Janet Stahl Robin Jones David Kernahan Richard Konigsberg Francie McKenzie David Murray Niclas Nagler and David Alberto Alvarez Robert Press, M.D. Gail Propp Brendon Ratner Norma and Joe Rosenberg Perri Peltz and Eric Ruttenberg Susan and Victor Shedlin Deb Van Eck Paula Wardynski Rita and Ken Warner John and Yarmick 15
CORPORATE DONORS $50,000+
$10,000 – $24,999
$2,500 – $4,999
American Express AT&T Foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies Select Equity Group Warner Media
B&G Foods Con Edison Jujamcyn Theaters Kirkland & Ellis Signature Bank
The Durst Organization Sandbar Concessions Universal Theatrical Group
$25,000 – $49,999
$5,000 – $9,999
Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc. Lindsay Goldberg Ropes & Gray LLP
Western Union Foundation
$1,000 – $2,499 Universal Television
FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
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$50,000+
$25,000 – $49,999
$5,000 – $9,999
Art for Justice Fund Ausolus Trust Berlanti Family Foundation The Howard Gilman Foundation Peter R. Gimbel & Elga Andersen-Gimbel Memorial Trust Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Jerome L. Greene Foundation Fund in the New York Community Trust The William & Mary Greve Foundation Marc Haas Foundation Fletcher Jones Foundation Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation New York City Department of Cultural Affairs SHS Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation
Achelis & Bodman Foundation AVK Cultural Heritage Fund T.J. Brown & C.A. Lupton Foundation Edgerton Foundation Leon Levy Foundation National Endowment for the Arts New York State Council on the Arts The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
The Allen Family Foundation Charles E. Culpeper Fund of the New York Community Trust Elroy & Terry Krumholz Foundation New York City Council Jerome Robbins Foundation
$10,000 – $24,999 Frederic R. Coudert Foundation The Hyde & Watson Foundation The Peter T. Joseph Foundation Michael Tuch Foundation
$2,500 – $4,999 Lucille Lortel Foundation Richenthal Foundation Theatre Development Fund
$1,000 – $2,499 Actors’ Equity Foundation The Lambs Foundation Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts
Second Stage Theater’s programs are made possible by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Second Stage Theater appreciates the extraordinary support of the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT We acknowledge the land on which Second Stage Theater stands — the original homeland of the Munsee Lenape and Wappinger Lenape people — and honor and pay our respects to the many diverse indigenous peoples still connected to this land.