Capital Campaign: Making an Entrance

MAKING AN ENTRANCE A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland A $6M+ Capital Campaign Portland Stage is an investment that pays exceptional dividends.

The work on our stage has always been extraordinary. Now is the time to make our home match the quality of our shows.

The MAKING AN ENTRANCE Capital Campaign will raise over $6M to improve our space and increase our endowment.

We aim to create stronger connections to our community by improving entry to the theater and increasing access to our vibrant programming.

We will ACT to reimagine Portland Stage for our future, INSPIRE collaboration and creativity, and CONNECT with our community to reach a broader audience.

act

to reimagine Portland Stage for our future

MAKING AN ENTRANCE A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland

Since 1974, Portland Stage has been telling stories that promote a deeper sense of what it means to be human.

Drawing from our past, our present, and our future, we create productions that are innovative, of the moment, and relevant to our community.

Our MAINSTAGE programming is our core, and we seek to engage our audiences in an active, meaningful shared experience. Now more than ever, our community needs a place that invites us to view the world from another’s perspective, building empathy, fostering anti-racism, and encouraging a sense of belonging.

Each MAINSTAGE season at Portland Stage involves: • over 250 live performances • over 50,000 audience members from across New England • over 100 professional theater artists who handcraft our productions from the ground up • over 450 Pay-What-You-Can and Rush35 discounted tickets sold • over 400 tickets donated to community organizations

As we improve our facility and build our endowment, our productions will engage more artists and audiences than ever before.

inspire

collaboration and creativity

MAKING AN ENTRANCE A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland

Our EDUCATION PROGRAMS, composed of four core programs led by professionally trained Teaching Artists, are designed to grow with students as they progress through all grade-levels.

Our teaching philosophy highlights process over product, deepening students’ ability to analyze, synthesize, and think critically.

We seek to build endowment resources to support growing the audiences, artists, and classic plays of the future through our EDUCATION and NEW WORK PROGRAMS. Each year, our EDUCATION PROGRAMS create over 14,000 unique educational experiences by reaching: • 10,000 students in grades K-12 • 750 teachers • 70 schools • 40 towns across Maine Our NEW WORK PROGRAMS support our region’s playwrights through the Clauder Competition, New England’s most prestigious new play competition, Little Festival of the Unexpected, an incubator for new plays in development, and commissions of new plays.

These programs have resulted in plays like John Cariani’s Almost, Maine and Monica Wood’s Papermaker, which both premiered on our stage and have since been produced across the country and around the world.

An increased endowment will help us maintain and expand these crucial programs that inspire creativity and collaboration in our community and beyond.

connect

with our community to reach a broader audience

MAKING AN ENTRANCE A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland

Improving our facility will make it possible for us to continue connecting with our community through the work on our stage.

We seek to be VISIBLE and ACCESSIBLE by inviting our community in to participate in our vibrant programming.

We will improve VISIBILITY by creating a new marquee and façade – a vibrant gateway to Portland’s arts district that reflects the excitement and energy of our programs.

We will increase ACCESSIBILITY by repositioning a new elevator, Box Office, and lobby. This will improve and streamline the audience experience, and ensure that navigating our space is easy, safe, and comfortable for all patrons.

As we improve our spaces, we plan to pay down our mortgage, generating $90,000 in cash reserves each year that can be reinvested in our programs.

“Portland Stage took a chance on Maine writers before other theaters in the country. There’s this idea right now that homegrown art can be just as good as supporting a local business, or supporting local food. You can ART local, and Portland Stage was doing it before it was cool.”

—John Cariani, Playwright, Actor & Portland Stage Supporter since 2009

TESTIMONIALS

“That may have been the best day of my life.”

-Sherlock Camper

“Portland Stage is one of the institutions that makes our city feel world-class. It is so worth investing in the future of Portland Stage – for the amazing art that it brings on stage, and for all the outreach and education it takes further afield into Maine schools and communities.”

-Anne Wade, Member since 2014 and Portland Stage Education Program Parent

“One of the most precious highlights of my writing career came during the first talkback after the opening of Papermaker. Most of the audience stayed – that alone was a surprise and a blessing.

But then Anita asked for a head count of audience members who either worked in a paper mill or had a family member who did. When a hundred hands went up, I melted with gratitude and pride to have created something – with a team of gifted, generous people – that spoke to a demographic removed in many ways from the typical theater audience. It seemed to me, in that moment, that what theater does best is show audiences the value and beauty in their own struggles and joys.

I felt so glad to be alive, simply to witness this moment.”

-Monica Wood, Portland Stage Affiliate Artist,

Playwright and Member since 1979

“I am really moved by your consistent commitment to and ability to make connections between your performances and the life of the community. Bravo!”

-Steve Bromage, Executive Director,

Maine Historical Society

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland The Campaign in Two Parts

THE ENDOWMENT An endowment for programs and productions provides a financial underpinning to ensure that we can inspire the next generation of artists, audiences, and engaged citizens. Endowment funding will allow us to continue creating productions and programs that reflect who we are and inspire us to grow, guaranteeing our relevance to our evolving community well into the future.

The endowment will support: • • • •

Creative risk-taking on our Mainstage Innovative state-wide Education Programs Nationally-renowned New Work development initiatives Specialized staff recruitment and retention efforts

THE FACILITY Portland Stage makes our city vibrant. Reimagining our physical space to invite our community in will help us connect a broader audience with the productions and programs that bring us closer together. In partnership with Scott Simons as architect and beloved local artist Pandora LaCasse, we will increase both access to our building and awareness of our work. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Portland Stage has already invested $20,000 toward an upgraded HVAC air filtration system to ensure the safety of our staff, artists, and audiences.

Facility improvements will include: • • • •

State-of-the-art elevator Enhanced lobby Distinctive marquee, a gateway to Portland’s Arts District Repositioned box office

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland

BUDGET 2%

63%

70% of goal

$3M

35%

Facility.................................... $4,000,000 (63%) Endowment...........................$2,260,000 (35%) Expenses.......................................$140,000 (2%) TOTAL....................................................$6,400,000

TIMELINE SPRING 2019

FALL 2019

FALL 2021

SUMMER 2022

SUMMER 2023

Feasibility Study Completed

Quiet Phase Began

$4M Benchmark reached

Public Phase Begins

Construction Begins

Budget figures may be subject to change. Updated 11/2021.

SCALE OF GIFTS $1M+ $500K + $250K + $100K + $50K + $25K + $10K +

Up

da

ted

11/

20

21

$5K+ $1K and below

Campaign Goal: $6,400,000

MAKING AN ENTRANCE A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland

Our partners in improving ACCESSIBILITY and VISIBILITY will be Scott Simons Architects, known for renovations of cultural landmarks including the Portland Public Library and the State Theater, and artist Pandora LaCasse, whose dramatic light sculptures brighten Portland’s parks each winter. Working with Simons and LaCasse, we will create welcoming spaces that improve the overall patron experience and encourage dialogue, networking, and community engagement.

This transformation will visually convey the vibrancy of Portland Stage’s spirit and programming on the face of the building, reflecting the values of the organization and its connection to the greater Portland community. Beyond changes to the facade of the main entry, interior improvements will create a more welcoming, energetic space that not only functions better for both the staff, artists, and patrons alike, but will be an experience that provokes curiosity and inspires passion for theater to be shared by everyone who walks through our doors.

Scott Simons Architects Based in Portland, Maine, Scott Simons Architects is a multi-disciplinary firm providing architectural, landscape, planning and interior design services.

Pandora LaCasse Design Pandora LaCasse has been designing custom site-specific lighting sculptures for over 15 years that celebrate the physical space in which they’re located and are created specifically to engage the surrounding community.

TESTIMONIALS “My husband and I first attended plays at Portland Stage during the nineties!

Our season tickets provided a monthly date night when we had little kids. I loved going to the theater, and I began paying more attention to the plays, which spoke to politics or community issues. We want the theater to be around for a very long time. Future young parents need date nights too!”

-Moriah Moser, Member since 1997

“I appreciate that the people of Portland stage took time out of their busy schedule to perform and discuss theatre with middle schoolers. These sort of experiences are really valuable and help us develop interests that we could keep for the rest of our lives.”

-8th Grade Student, Lincoln Middle School

“Portland Stage Education’s PLAY program, is a ground-breaking program that promotes literacy. Through PLAY, students experience text in a new light.

They watch the words come to life, and witness words creating a new world when they come together. They discover that they can access the world of text and the world of their imagination, as well as create a new world of their own.

Literacy gives them power. PLAY embodies Portland Stage’s desire to positively affect the lives of children, and it gives me great pleasure to endorse it.”

-Dr. Alec Lapidus, Associate Professor, USM School of Education and Human Development

“Theater has a reputation of being extravagant and maybe intimidating, but from the moment I started working with Portland Stage, it has always felt approachable and welcoming. Collaboration, creative solutions, frugal craftsmanship, and good humor are at its core. As a former Portland Stage intern, the theater has provided me with so much over the years – professional experience, confidence, access to engaging productions, and connections with a lot of creative, funny, hard-working, and supportive people.”

-Adam Thibodeau, Portland Stage House Manager and former Intern

“I had to write to you all at Portland Stage to say ‘BRAVO!’ for bringing Almost, Maine to us. We have season tickets and saw the play with friends. The house was packed, and everything about this play was just magic! The set, the actors, their characters, and the stories were ALL superb. Thank you to everyone for letting us experience such a masterpiece!”

-Sara Yindra, Patron since 2015

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a capital campaign and how does it differ from annual giving?

A capital campaign is an intensive fundraising effort in a defined time-frame for a specific project. In our case, the MAKING AN ENTRANCE Capital Campaign will raise funds for substantial FACILITY improvements and an increased ENDOWMENT. Contributions toward our Annual Fund will continue to support ongoing general operating expenses on a yearly basis.

Has Portland Stage completed a Feasibility Study?

Yes, Portland Stage engaged Sage Advancement Group, a professional fundraising consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study in the Spring of 2019. The study results were largely positive and concluded that Portland Stage is well-positioned to complete a successful campaign.

When will the campaign be completed, and how soon after will you break ground?

Portland Stage intends to reach our campaign fundraising goal by the summer of 2023, though we hope to do so even sooner! Facility improvements will begin no earlier than 2021.

Can I make a campaign pledge to be paid in installments?

Yes! Our Development office would be happy to discuss a payment schedule that works best for you. In general, campaign pledges must be paid in full within three years after making a pledge commitment.

How will my campaign gift be recognized?

All contributions will be acknowledged on a donor wall following completion of the campaign, and donors may also be acknowledged in annual reports, newsletter listings, and/or special media advertising unless anonymity is requested.

Will there be naming opportunities available for leadership gifts?

Yes! Naming of spaces, programs, and endowments will be available based on levels of support to be determined by the Campaign Steering Committee at the time of the project.

Still have questions?

Contact Beth Given, Development Director bgiven@portlandstage.org | 207.774.1043 x109

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

A Capital Campaign for the Heart of Portland WAYS TO GIVE

As we are MAKING AN ENTRANCE, Portland Stage invites you to play your part in supporting a project that will secure our future. Beyond a one-time cash donation, you may wish to consider the following options when making your gift to the campaign.

MULTI-YEAR PLEDGES

In order to make it easier to support the Making an Entrance Capital Campaign, Portland Stage is accepting multi-year pledges for leadership level gifts. We will work with you to structure pledge payments to maximize your support in a way that is most convenient for you with final payments due no later than 6/30/2024.

PLANNED GIVING

If you are interested in leaving a part of your estate to Portland Stage, designating PS as a beneficiary of a trust or life insurance policy, or donating real estate, works of art, or other tangible items, please contact: development@ portlandstage.org or 207.774.1043 x109.

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER

Donors who are age 70½ or older may wish to donate to the MAKING AN ENTRANCE campaign directly from a traditional IRA. Donors can contribute up to $100,000 each year directly from their IRA to Portland Stage without having to pay taxes on the distribution. To make a transfer, contact your IRA administrator.

CHARITABLE GIFTS OF STOCK

Donors may wish to give to the MAKING AN ENTRANCE Capital Campaign using appreciated stock, mutual fund shares, or other marketable securities. Donations of this kind must

have been held for more than a year. At the time of donation, you may deduct the fair

market value of the stock from your income taxes. To make a stock gift, please have your

broker notify the Portland Stage Business Manager (businessmanager@portlandstage.org, 207.774.1043 x103) so that we can properly credit the gift to you.

Stock gifts may be transferred to Portland Stage via Fidelity using DTC # 0226, Portland Stage Company Account # 676271929.

Contact:

Brady Neujahr, Portfolio Administrator R.M. DAVIS

207-774-0022 | bneujahr@rmdavis.com

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

Donors who wish to contribute to the MAKING AN ENTRANCE campaign from a Donor-

Advised Fund may do so using Portland Stage’s Tax ID # 51-0143171. As soon as a transfer

has been initiated, please notify the Portland Stage Business Manager (businessmanager@ portlandstage.org, 207-774-1043 x103) indicating the purpose of your gift.

Act now

invest in Portland Stage!

PHOTO CREDITS: Aaron Flacke, Mical Hutson, Lauren Kennedy

ACT | INSPIRE | CONNECT

CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP

Anita Stewart, Executive & Artistic Director

Merle & Leonard Nelson, Honorary Co-Chairs CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE

Co-Chairs Malcolm Poole & Samantha Bowen Dave Jourdan, Greg Lanou, Darrell Pardy, Nelson Toner & Anne Wade FOR MORE INFORMATION

Beth Given, Development Director bgiven@portlandstage.org 207.774.1043 x109

PORTLAND STAGE is the leading professional

theater; demands the highest professional

committed to creating great art, passionate

organization; fosters experimentation and

theater in Northern New England, and is

about using the theater to educate, and dedicated to enriching our community.

Portland Stage produces exceptional live

standards and transparency throughout the artistic risk; creates innovative educational programming; and adheres to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility.

PortlandStage.org | 207.774.1043 x 109 | 25A Forest Ave. | PO Box 1458, Portland, ME 04104 |