New England Dance Theater: Annual Report 2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT

NEDT 2022-2023

New England Dance Theater

"Committed to creating greater access, awareness, and appreciation of the performing arts through dance."

OUR MISSION

To create greater access, awareness and appreciation of the Performing Arts through dance by supporting high quality productions, community outreach, and dancer enrichment opportunities. *Photosfrom2022Nutcracker&2023SpringPerformances

MESSAGE FROM Chair of the Board

Fall 2023

Dear Family and Friends,

Welcome to our first-ever Annual Report! We hope you enjoy learning about all the amazing outreach efforts we accomplish for New England Dance Theater (NEDT) because of our constituents' thoughtful generosity, volunteer efforts, and grant support. The updates within these pages will give you insight into all we do as a non-profit organization supporting our dancers and the art community including our three mission pillars: high quality productions, community outreach, and student enrichment.

It's hard to believe another year has passed, and what a successful year it was for all involved – our ballerinas, families, friends, and the greater community. NEDT, in collaboration with the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD), brought back the beloved Nutcracker performance with four full-length shows which showcased more than 200 dancers Given the past few years, this was quite an accomplishment Equally exciting were the four sold-out Sugar Plum Tea parties, each event featuring sweets, goodies, and special character surprises from the Nutcracker's Land of the Sweets.

Our Company and Enrichment dancers brought the beauty of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker to community members who were unable to see the performance in person with special guest appearances and demonstrations. We were also able to livestream performances to organizations and families across the globe. This past June, NEDT and NEAD also produced an outstanding Contemporary Spring Performance, which was its first since 2019. The entire year was full of great celebrations and well-achieved milestones and I am most grateful for such dedication, contributions, time, and passion that drives such outstanding art and dance.

As NEDT moves forward, our mission remains steadfast while our work grows This coming year we plan to expand our community outreach to involve our younger students, offering them access and opportunities to bring the joy of dance and their talents to the greater community

I congratulate everyone on a successful year, and we look forward to what the future holds for NEDT.

Fondly,

Tina Phillips

NEDT Board Chair

NEDT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2022-2023

Tina Phillips, Board Chair

Jennifer Kurtz, Treasurer

Frances Ortiz, Artistic Director

Ginna Ortiz, Artistic Director

Ted Thomas, Artistic Director

Cris Carofano

Jeanne Collins

Elizabeth DeMuth

Jen Gallagher

Emily Konrad

Zibby Perkins

We are a group of dedicated parents and local volunteers working together towards our vision To create greater access, awareness and appreciation of the Performing Arts through dance

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2022-2023

(as of 08/19/2023)

NEDT was proud to return to its full set of programs after multiple years impacted by the pandemic. It allowed us to increase our revenue through more fundraising efforts. We had a highly successful Annual Appeal campaign that raised critical funds for the significant expense of the professional live orchestra for the Nutcracker performances. After multiple consecutive years of experiencing a net loss, NEDT ended its financial year with a small surplus rebuilding a cash reserve for future needs.

Total: $143,890

Total: $132,964

NEDT supported NEAD’s December 2022 production of the Nutcracker and June 2023 Spring Show of contemporary works including Les Sylphides and original Degas-themed dance creations. NEDT underwrites these productions to keep ticket prices affordable for our constituents and the broader community.

HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTI

HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTIONS

HIGHLIGHTS

Since 2017 we have partnered with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for live accompaniment of four full-length Nutcracker performances. This interwoven production of live art is unprecedented in our local community.

For many years, we have partnered with New Canaan High School Theater Department as our continued venue for both the Nutcracker and Spring performances with student technical support and expertise.

We purchased new Ginger Cookie costumes and refreshed many additional Nutcracker costumes for last year's 2022 production.

In preparation for 2023 Nutcracker show, we purchased new Marzipan and Fairy costumes.

We purchased new Spring performance costumes for contemporary works. We provided live music to accompany a 2023 Spring contemporary piece.

NEDT believes that everyone, regardless of age, ability or financial status, should have access to see and enjoy live dance.

HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTI

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

PARTNERSHIPS

NEDT instructors taught adaptive dance classes in collaboration with STAR serving 10-15 adults with disabilities in person each week

SUMMERTIME ENRICHMENT

We sponsored the outdoor stage for the Fairfield Summer Dance Festival 2022 offering performance opportunities to NEAD dancers and other guest dancers.

NUTCRACKER ACCESS FOR MANY

Provided200complimentaryticketsto Nutcrackerperformanceswhichwereused bylocalorganizationsthatserveseniors, adultswithdisabilities,andchildrenfrom under-resourcedschools.

ProvidedaccesstothreeofourNutcracker performancesviaafreelive-streamlink accessedby15organizationsreachingover 275peopleinourlocalcommunities.

Returnedtoseveralseniorcenterstoshare themagicoftheNutcrackerbyperforming excerptsofourproductionwiththeir residents.

Over30dancersparticipatedintheNew CanaanHalloweenParadeshowcasingthe PartyScenefromNutcracker.

Over25dancersparticipatedintheNew CanaanHolidayStrollshowcasing Nutcrackerexcerpts.

In July and August 2022, we sponsored our Annual Summer Dance program at the Carver Center in Norwalk providing six weeks of dance instruction to over 30 students each week.

NEDT provides numerous enrichment opportunities for NEAD dancers each year, knowing that exposing dancers to a diversity of influence helps encourage both personal and artistic growth

HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTI

DANCER ENRICHMENT

HIGHLIGHTS

Underwrote a Master Class for NEAD Company dancers with Jessica Lee Goldyn, an American Musical Theatre actress, singer and dancer

Offered Master Classes for NEAD Company and Enrichment dancers by Miguel Solano, a leading dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company

Organized two field trips to NYC for Company and Enrichment dancers to see acclaimed Broadway productions of Moulin Rouge and Chicago for further dance development.

Doris Driver Scholarship awarded financial gifts to three dancers to support their continued study of dance over the summer months.

THANK YOU!

toourwonderfulcommunityof parents,volunteers,instructors&dancers

This year, NEDT benefited more than ever from the many generous financial gifts contributed by individuals, families, and business patrons in response to our Fall Annual Fund appeal. This thoughtful support resonates in our commitment to NEDT's mission, the arts, and the community and we are deeply appreciative and grateful

The Nutcracker production extends its on-stage success with an off-stage celebration too that we created and coined the Sugar Plum Tea Party. This past December, the events surpassed our ticket sale expectations with the inclusion of four parties that sold out within minutes It was a coveted ticket in town!

Flowers

Amy Fields and Natalie McPartland

Concessions

Jen Markey, Jen Krasnow, and Dana Clelford

Boutique

Lauren Nussbaum and Suzanne Hecht

Decorations

Jen Gallagher and Carrie Steins

Backstage Chaperones

Sara Schubert and Alexandra Spellman

Ushers

Linda LeBlanc, Sara Paine, and Don Allers

Hair & Make Up

Robyn Jones and Erin Levine

Backstage Catering

Amy Fields and Jennifer Kurtz

Tea Party

Sondra Banford and Frances Ortiz

Our dedicated volunteers organized delicious food, engaging crafts, and amazing performances by our talented dancers all within a beautifully transformed NCHS cafeteria It makes for a dreamy and memorable event for young children and their parents, family, or friend.

NEDT also raised important funds through sales at our both live performances of December's Nutcracker and June's Spring performancesflowers, concessions and the Nutcracker boutique

We are grateful for all our volunteers who put in hundreds of hours to make all this happen. A special thanks to the leadership of our Committee Chairs.

ANNUAL GIVING

2022-2023

Thankyoutothegenerosityofthemany donorswhosupportNEDTthatallowsit tosustainandgrowourmissiontocreatie greateraccess,awareness,and appreciationoftheperformingarts throughdance.

Clara and Sugar Plum - $5,000 and Above

Andrew and Diana Dempsey

Jeff and Emily Hanlon Family

Snow Queen - $2,500-4,999

Anonymous (1)

Abby and Lloyd Gerry

MLE Foundation

Dan and Sarah O'Keefe

Dew Drop Fairy - $1,000-2,499

John and Anne Briggs

The Cheng Family

Phil and Anna Gass

Jennifer and Martin Kurtz

The Paine Family

Night Fairy - $500-999

Jeanne Collins

The Dell'Aquila Family

The DeMuth Family

Richard Edwards

The Spano-England Family

The Fields Family

Charles and Kimberly Harper

Jeff and Lauren Jackson

Robyn and David Jones

The Konrad Family

Flower Fairy - $250-499

Anonymous (1)

Jon and Sondra Banford

Carina and Fabio Calia

Cris and Nick Carofano

Carol Collins

The Gallagher Family

Grandpa Dennis and Sandra

Amanda and Jim Heins

The Hoffhine Family

Martin and Martha Phillips

Mark and Tina Phillips

Rosemarie Stapf

Jeff Stevens

Wells Fargo Advisors

Robert and Jessica Murphy

Jen Kearney and Doug Parker

The Parkis Family

Joseph Perella

The Small Family

The Krasnow-Snow Family

The Stute Family

The Tabbaa Family

The Wagner Family

The Zwick Family

Jennifer and Scott LaForce

The Lardizabal Family

The Lavigne Family

David and Linda LeBlanc

The Livengood Family

The McPartland Family

Briand and Kiana O'Reilly

Cory and Zibby Perkins

Spencer and Sara Schubert

The Tholen Family

Party Scene - $100-249

James and Jessica Adams

Deborah Armijo

Samantha Brown

The Cossaro Family

Dean and Laura Davis

The Donnelly Family

The Gayer Family

In honor of Anna Grzymski

Maka Guguchia

Robin Heim

Kelly LaSage-Kelly

Carolyln Lane

Margaret Lardizabal

Erin Pender-LeVine

The Lowry Family

Ginger Cookie - $50-99

The Carr Family

The Casey Family

Jim and Dawn Doak

The Friedman Family

The Hulick Family

Corporate Matching Gifts

American Online Giving Foundation

Bonterra Tech

Capital Group

Piper Sandler

Regeron Pharmaceuticals

The Maissen Family

Arjun and Megna Mehra

Lauren and Matt Nussbaum

Patricia O'Reilly

Sabrina Patterson

Steve and Colleen Prostor

Nathalie Schubert

Victor and Angela Silano

The Spadaccini Family

The Spellman Family

The Stapf Family

Cathy and Richard Townsend

The Twitchell Family

In honor of Maeson Wagner

Brian and Hana Van Wagener

The Gesualdi Family

Sandra Micklave

The Skrelunas Family

Wine Time NY

Grant support & underwriting

NEDT deeply benefits from generous grant support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts which is part of the state's Department of Economic and Community Development.

We also are proud of our local alliance with the New Canaan Community Foundation and the New Canaan Masons.