Hippodrome Foundation: 20 Years

RAISING THE CURTAIN ON

OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE THAN

years

Since 2004, the Hippodrome Foundation, Inc. (HFI) has served both as the non-profit presenter of Broadway in Baltimore–bringing world-class musical theater to millions of Marylanders–and as an arts education provider, introducing students to the performing arts through free outreach and education programs. This report is a retrospective of HFI’s commitment to this community over the past two decades. We invite those who love Baltimore and care deeply about possibilities for local youth, to partner with us to increase access to truly enriching experiences.

After being shuttered for fifteen years, the

arts for Maryland students. HFI has built

tacular M&T Bank Exchange opened in 2023

Hippodrome Theatre re-opened to much

free programs that leverage our world-

and serves as a flexible, state-of-the-art

fanfare in 2004. HFI led the $70 million

class performing arts center and provide

event and theater space for more than 100

project in collaboration with the Maryland

unmatched access to live theater and award-

community events each year. HFI hosts free

Stadium Authority and other partners and

winning industry professionals. We are proud

master classes, camp programs, and career

the result was the creation of the France-

to have served more than 100,000 young

training in this space.

Merrick Performing Arts Center. Ever since,

people, senior citizens, and individuals with

Marylanders have enjoyed National Touring

special needs.

Broadway in an historic theater, close to home.

As funding for arts education in public schools comes ever more into question,

Recently, HFI led the renovation of the

and demand for HFI programming grows

As soon as the FMPAC opened,

former Eutaw Savings Bank: the northern-

well beyond our current capability, the

HFI fulfilled promises to legislators and

most building in our complex, which had

Hippodrome Foundation is committed to

created programs to increase access to the

been left unfinished since 2004. The spec-

expanding our reach.

JOIN US! Make musical theater

and arts education accessible to more young Marylanders!

give today

CAREER PATHWAYS introduces students to exciting, viable professions that most never knew existed. Over the course of several sessions, local, unionized industry professionals offer students an understanding of the inner workings of the theater industry, and knowledge of how to gain employment in specialties like stage management, wigs, costumes, lighting design, and sound engineering. Our collaboration with the industry’s foremost professional stagehands and costume designers helps participants discover their potential, and envision a possible path for their future.

”

CAMP HIPPODROME immerses more than 500 students in musical theater each summer.

This camp warmly welcomes students with no experience on stage, those used to the limelight, and everyone in-between! In both week-long and day-long sessions, campers focus on performance, costumes, and/ or stage technology. Middle and high school students take away increased confidence, skills applicable to life on-stage and off, and memories to last a lifetime.

BRINGING TALES TO LIFE” BOOK PROGRAM engages elementary and middle school students in literacy, through theater! The program ties the content of a theatrical show to common-core standards for English Language Arts, incorporating Maryland State mandatory curriculum and the STEAM approach. Students learn the elements of a fairy tale and collaboratively write a class story. Each participant receives a hard-bound copy of their book, and attends a live performance at the Hippodrome Theatre – a first exposure to live theater for most.

ARTS EDUCATION...

• • • • • • •

Builds well-rounded individuals Improves school engagement and culture Develops valuable life and career skills Broadens our understanding & appreciation of other cultures & histories Builds empathy, reduces intolerance, and generates acceptance of others Supports social and emotional development Strengthens community and civic engagement

MASTER CLAS Maryland student tradition in the ar best talent in the Broadway industr show presented a Theatre, HFI ena learn from Broadw dancers, musician designers, costum production profes learn directly from industry, gaining i inner workings of honing their skills and deepening th the arts.

O

of Maryla ar

SSES expose ts to a favorite rts and to the very National Touring ry. With every at the Hippodrome ables students to way actors, ns, choreographers, mers, and ssionals. Students m the best in the insight into the f the business, s and techniques, heir interest in

DRESS REHEARSALS AND SPECIAL PERFORMANCES transform students into patrons of the performing arts and inspire young people to make the arts a part of their lives! To enhance learning opportunities and and grow young audiences in Maryland, HFI invites students to experience performances and equips teachers with related lesson plans, aligning mandatory state curriculum with entertainment.

A Theatrical Production Tax Credit instituted in 2022 has enabled HFI to invite thousands of students to experience a free dress rehearsal in recent years.

Only 4.2%

and public school students re enrolled in theater courses. { Maryland Arts Education Data Project }

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS equips Maryland teachers with tools and knowledge to maximize their own theater resources.

Industry professionals provide tutorials on sound and lighting operations, at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center and in school theaters. Professionals specializing in costumes, set design, props, makeup, stage management and more “teach the teachers,” building the knowledge they then impart to their students. The value of this expertise spreads as youth theatrical productions improve, teacher satisfaction increases, and enthusiasm for the arts swells.

THE VOLUNTEER USHER PROGRAM engages more than 700 community members to provide hospitality services and act as ambassadors for hundreds of thousands of patrons annually at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. Ushers are critical to the success of our beloved performing arts center— welcoming patrons, scanning tickets, guiding patrons to their seats, assisting in the event of a medical emergency and more.

50 to 60 ushers grace our venue during each performance.

HFI is

unqiuely positioned to augment Maryland students’ access to learning using performing arts as both a subject

and a tool.

“ The Hippodrome Foundation has made tremendous efforts to bring educational programs to Title I Community School students and has a long history of removing barriers to access to the transformative power of the arts.”

— SARA C. BENNETT SENIOR COMMUNITY SCHOOL FACILITATOR OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

How is the

HIPPODROME FOUNDATION U NIQUE? Free programs in a magnificent venue

The Hippodrome Theatre and M&T Bank Exchange contain highly advanced stage technology. This provides a unique first-class training ground, preparing students to seek employment on any stage. The HFI Board is committed to removing barriers to participation by keeping our programs free.

Top industry professionals

Actors, stage managers, directors, and technicians who travel through Baltimore offer their expertise through HFI’s Master Classes and Career Pathways programs. Baltimore is a sought-after city in which to launch National Broadway Tours. We bring the world’s top talent to Maryland! Incredible opportunities for learning arise when Broadway shows launch locally.

All-in-one arts

Musical theater uniquely includes elements of many arts disciplines, using vocal and instrumental music, dance, poetry and prose, playwriting, visual arts, media arts stagecraft, and technology to present one cohesive artistic experience that engages the mind and senses.

Twenty years of experience

Our seasoned team holds long tenure and deep commitment. In a time of high turnover, the HFI team expertly presents free programming proven to enrich lives and improve outcomes.

To learn more about the Hippodrome Foundation or discuss how you can help, please reach out to Katie Norton, Director of Development, at KatieN@HippodromeFoundation.org or (410)727-7787.