The Notebook. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.
2025–26 SEASON REPORT
Your impact on us. Our impact on Philadelphia and the world.
Dear Friends, As we move toward the close of an extraordinary 2025–26 season, I am struck by the momentum we are building together.
1,500+ EVENTS AND
We are now in the final days of our comprehensive fundraising campaign—a milestone made possible by the generosity and commitment of thousands of supporters. Every gift over the past six years has helped strengthen Ensemble Arts Philly and The Philadelphia Orchestra and position us for an even brighter future. Thank you for the part you have played in this remarkable achievement. This year, we celebrated the generosity, creativity, and vision of leaders who have helped shape Philadelphia’s cultural landscape. At our annual Great Stages Gala, we honored Trustee and arts advocate Elaine Woo Camarda and legendary music icons Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Their lasting contributions to music, the arts, and our city continue to inspire us, and I am grateful for their dedication to ensuring the arts remain vibrant and accessible for future generations. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts also continued to serve as a gathering place for our city and the world. From events connected to Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary to hosting the Michelin Awards and HistoryTalks 2026, our stages welcomed conversations that extended far beyond the performing arts. This season, we added another milestone to our history: hosting all four living former U.S. Presidents—a testament to the Kimmel Center’s role as one of the nation’s leading civic and cultural venues. Looking ahead, we will celebrate the Kimmel Center’s 25th anniversary during the 2026–27 season. Since opening in 2001, it has been a home for artists and audiences alike—and the setting for countless firsts, from unforgettable performances and graduations to moments of shared celebration among Philadelphians. I look forward to hearing about your own “Kimmel firsts” in the year ahead. Your support powers every performance, every learning opportunity, and every connection we make across Philadelphia. This report offers a glimpse of the impact your generosity makes possible.
1M
GUESTS ANNUALLY
Ensemble Arts at Work in Philadelphia $455M
REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT (from performances, operations, and ancillary spending)*
3,800 JOBS SUPPORTED
22
UNIONS SUPPORTED
With gratitude,
Ryan Fleur President & CEO
*This data is sourced from ESI Econsult Solutions
Backstage Pass and Broadway This season, members experienced our Broadway series in ways that went far beyond the stage—stepping into the creative process, connecting with artists, and sharing meaningful moments together through our Backstage Pass donor events and annual Broadway Patron Trip. Ahead of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, supporters were invited behind the scenes for a special “Load-In and Lunch” conversation with Disney’s Production Supervisor about how a touring Broadway production transforms the Academy of Music stage into something magical. Accompanying Suffs, a pre-show discussion with the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice offered a look at rare artifacts and provided valuable historical context, enriching the story unfolding on stage. And before The Sound of Music, donors joined a lively waltz class in the Ballroom, bringing the joy of movement and music to life. SUFFS Tour
Sound of Music pre-show waltz lesson
Leading up to a performance of SIX, donors and local school students came together for a dynamic Q&A with two cast members from the touring production, creating a shared space for learning, connection, and inspiration across generations of musical theater fans. Our annual Broadway Patron Trip took place in April, bringing a group of donors traveling together to New York to experience Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Joined by Fran Egler, vice president of theatrical programming and presentations and Ensemble Arts’ resident Tony Award voter, the group met the cast, spoke with the show’s producers, and deepened connections while engaging with new work in an intimate setting. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Investing in Future Artists and Audiences New Leadership for Community Impact and Civic Engagement This year, we welcomed new leadership to our recently formed Community Impact and Civic Engagement department. Leslie Patterson-Tyler has been named senior vice president, community impact & civic engagement, and Catherine Charlton joins us as vice president of education. Leslie has been with us since 2015 and has held leadership roles in communications, partnerships, and public relations. And Catherine brings her dynamic background as an arts education leader, musician, and former CEO of Musicopia. Leslie and Catherine will bring fresh energy and vision to our work, building on the organization’s growing reach across Philadelphia and deep commitment to access and engagement, all of which is critically underwritten by our donors.
“Arts education is not separate from broader community priorities. It is deeply connected to the systems that shape our communities.” —Catherine Charlton, vice president of education
Your Support Brings the Arts Within Reach
Leslie Patterson-Tyler SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY IMPACT & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Catherine Charlton VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION
Our arts education and special programs serve
40K+
students annually.
We provide nearly 70,000
free or low cost performance tickets to teachers, community groups, and others each year.
Engagement programs serve
300K+
Our ticket donations to local non-profits support their fundraising efforts and total nearly 5,000 tickets a year, for a value of
$330,000.
guests from the region’s diverse communities.
Because of the generosity of donors like you, we are able to offer free arts education programs that spark curiosity, foster creativity, and create opportunities for young people across Philadelphia. Theater Education Ensemble Arts theater education programs thrived this year, from Set the Stage and our Summer Arts Sessions to a continued partnership with the Philadelphia Independence Awards, which celebrates excellence in high school musical theater. In the winter, we hosted students from throughout the region at the Kimmel Center for the Independence Awards’ free workshop with local theater companies and universities. Then, at May’s culminating awards ceremony—held in the Miller Theater—over 20 awards were given out across performance, technical, and special categories, and an audience of over 1,000 attendees was treated to performances from select productions. FUN FACT: The Philadelphia Independence Awards is the regional affiliate of the Jimmy Awards®, the national musical theater showcase that sends standout high school performers to New York for a week of coaching culminating in a one-night-only showcase on Broadway. Top: The Independence Awards red carpet outside the Miller Theater featured student reporters interviewing nominees and guests. Bottom: Students perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Independence Awards Ceremony.
Dance Education In December and again in April, we hosted PHILADANCO! Days that welcomed 30 schools and nearly 1,000 students to experience the artistry of the Philadelphia-based dance ensemble. Each performance was followed by an enthusiastic Q&A session with the young audience, comprised of school groups ranging from grades 2-12. And in February, we held a dance masterclass with Alvin Ailey company member Renaldo Maurice for dancers from All City Dance Ensemble and the Franklin Learning Center, continuing to support aspiring dancers from across the city.
PHILADANCO!
Music Education
2025–26 All City Fellows.
Our All City Fellowship Program provided immersive opportunities for high school musicians, with eight fellows participating in the 2025–26 season. In addition to receiving private lessons, education stipends, and performance opportunities, fellows met with acclaimed jazz artists Samara Joy and Emmet Cohen before their performances at the Miller Theater, where they had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about growing a career in music. The cohort was also invited to a special masterclass led by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) saxophonist Chris Lewis, and received free tickets to attend JLCO’s performance with Wynton Marsalis and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Preserving Our Past, Investing in Our Future Our venues—the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and Kimmel Center— collectively house 294 years of performances. And they are important community spaces where culture, conversation, and civic life intersect. This season, our restoration of the nearly 170-year-old Academy of Music balcony was recognized with a 2025 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award, affirming our commitment to preserving one of Philadelphia’s most treasured landmarks. That legacy is deeply personal for many in our community, from donors and audience members alike who cherish the beauty of our “Grand Old Lady” on Broad. Included in this group are those who have left Ensemble Arts Philly and/or the Academy in their estate plans. Through planned giving, supporters ensure that our historic spaces will endure for future generations to appreciate.
“My great-great-grandfather painted the ceiling of the Academy of Music. Supporting its future through my estate plans feels like a way of honoring him and continuing our family story.” —Judy Lloyd, Legacy Giving Society member
Top: Academy of Music circa 1875 Bottom: Academy of Music today
From the Archive: The story behind the Academy of Music ceiling
Former President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and former first lady Jill Biden speak at the Kimmel Center.
A Civic and Cultural Gathering Space 2025–26 brought internationally recognized events to the Kimmel Center, including the globally esteemed Michelin Awards and HistoryTalks 2026, presented in partnership with The History Channel, A&E, and Comcast. This landmark convening brought together all four living former U.S. presidents, former first ladies, and a wide range of cultural voices for conversations spanning history, politics, sports, entertainment, and music. We also created opportunities for members to see our venues from new perspectives. Through a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Miller Theater, supporters explored the building’s evolution through historic archives and photographs. Recent upgrades include three floors of administrative office space that will support our growing organization, and future improvements—such as regrading the theater floor and replacing seating—will further enhance the audience experience. Ongoing investment in our venues continued with the long-term care of one of Philadelphia’s most iconic rooflines. Throughout April, critical repairs were underway on the Kimmel Center’s signature barrel roof, with crews rappelling across the canopy to complete this work—an effort as intricate as it is essential. These capital investments preserve the architectural integrity of our venues and support the artistic work they make possible. They remain central to Philadelphia’s cultural identity, shaping how artists perform, audiences gather, and our community connects.
KIMMEL CENTER
FAST FACTS
6,000
PANES OF GLASS
19 MILES
OF CAULKING
25 YEARS
OF SERVING THE ARTS
Because of
supporters like you... At the heart of our mission is a commitment to ensuring that the arts are accessible, inspiring, and transformational for the next generation.
EDUCATION IMPACT
262
Pre-show classroom visits
544
school buses brought students to the Kimmel Center, 64% were fully subsidized by Ensemble Arts
Support from our Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donors remains essential to this work—making it possible for over 40,000 students each year to access meaningful arts education and special programs, often at little to no cost.
400
schools served through our programs
Learn more about EITC
If you or your business owe PA taxes, you might be eligible to support our education programs and receive meaningful tax credits.
Lead Community Engagement Partner: Independence Blue Cross. Additional support provided by PNC Arts Alive. The All City Orchestra and Jazz Fellowships Program is made possible in part by contributions from Donald E. Barb, Esq. and the Rev. Bruce H. Davidson, the Piasecki Family Foundation, Mr. Richard J. Shaginaw, and TD Charitable Foundation. Set the Stage is supported by Thomas and Judith Kleinman and PNC Fund for Charitable Giving.
Additional support for Ensemble Arts education programs is provided by Chubb Insurance, Kind Insurance, the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation, Merck, and TD Bank. You have received this Ensemble Arts Impact Report because of your generous philanthropic support. If you would like to change your contact preferences, please notify us at 215.790.5321 or Membership@EnsembleArtsPhilly.org. Photos: Roger Mastroianni, Jeff Fusco, Joan Marcus, Matthew Murphy, Morgan Horell, Jan Almquist AA&J Design, Andrew McGibbon