Tdf annual Report 2013 by Theatre Development Fund

ANNUAL REPORT

TDF

tdf

2012â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Theatre Development Fund

tdf Welcome The richness, vitality, and astonishing variety of the performing arts—from theatre to dance to music— are among the glories of New York City. Theatre Development Fund is the only not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the entire spectrum of the performing arts with programs that touch the lives of millions of New Yorkers and visitors each year.

TDF WELCOME

Created in 1968 by a dedicated group of theatre professionals, TDF has developed groundbreaking programs to encourage and support the production of new artistic works, ensure the availability of affordable tickets to millions of theatregoers each year, and to build audiences for the future.

TDF’s most renowned program is TKTS. Consistent with its goal of expanding audiences while supporting new works of merit, TKTS provides critical revenue for productions while simultaneously enabling a diverse audience to enjoy New York’s greatest asset… the theatre.

TDF MISSION STATEMENT

Theatre Development Fund, a not-for-profit organization, was created in the conviction that the live theatrical arts afford a unique expression of the human condition that must be sustained and nurtured. TDF’s two-fold mission is to identify and provide support, including financial assistance, to theatrical works of artistic merit and to encourage and enable diverse audiences to attend live theatre and dance in all their venues.

Behind the scenes, TDF has created and maintains a diverse roster of programs that provides audiences for virtually every theatre and dance production in New York—through its membership and ticket subsidy programs, accessibility programs for theatregoers with physical disabilities, and award-winning arts education programs. In an era of declining attendance for theatre and dance, TDF has taken the lead in new audience development programs that make theatregoing a reality for underserved audiences of all ages in New York City. Additionally, TDF’s recent forays into research and advocacy have moved the organization into a national conversation about issues critical to the field. TDF is committed to working to ensure the future of theatre and dance, to find new ways to support productions and to broaden the public’s awareness of and access to theatre, dance and music.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chairman and Executive Director’s Letter 3

“

TDF is a part of our lives…it’s part of why we do theatre. It is a valuable asset to us all!

”

— Douglas Carter Beane, Playwright

Theatre Development Fund 520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 801 New York, NY 10018-6507 Phone (212) 912-9770 Fax (212) 768-1563 Twitter@TDFNYC Facebook.com/TheatreDevelopmentFund TDF.org

TDF Donors

TDF Membership/Theatre and Dance Subsidy Programs

TKTS Discount Booths

TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP)

TDF Education Programs

TDF Costume Collection

Audience Development Initiatives

TDF Honors

TDF Gala

TDF Board of Trustees and Staff

tdf Letter from the Chairman and Executive Director TDF’s 45th year was one of celebration and challenge. We celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our TKTS Program in Times Square, having sold a record-breaking number of tickets there in the prior year. Our spring gala, marking this milestone and honoring Shubert Chairman Philip J. Smith, was a ‘must attend’ event of the theatre season, and our public celebration in Times Square on June 26, 2013 was a media event which exploded nationally. However, we shared the challenges faced by so many along the eastern seaboard when Hurricane Sandy destroyed our TKTS Booth at South Street Seaport in October 2012. Our Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn Booths remained open and were responsible for over 1.61 million admissions to dozens of Broadway and Off Broadway shows. Even with challenges, our programs continued to grow, creating larger and more diverse audiences in New York City and beyond; we were responsible for over 2.26 million admissions to hundreds of theatre, dance and music productions. Since TDF was founded in 1968, we have built bridges between potential

audience members and performing arts productions and created an appetite for theatre in thousands of first-time theatregoers. That work continued throughout the year. Our Autism Theatre Initiative, part of TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP), continued to thrive in its second year. Demand for the program shows that families with children on the autism spectrum are an underserved audience, eager for sensory-friendly performances they can enjoy with an audience of similar families. As word spread of our success, theatres around the world from Houston, San Diego, Dublin, and London invited us to consult with them—helping them develop their own programs— which we happily did.

Since TDF was “ founded in 1968, we have built bridges between potential audience members and performing arts productions and created an appetite for theatre in thousands of first-time theatregoers. That work continued throughout the year.

”

We continue to hear from New Yorkers all over the city that without their TDF memberships they would not be able to afford going to the theatre. Over 90,000 people who are eligible for membership enjoy low-cost tickets and theatre information. In addition to providing tickets for folks who are eager to go to the theatre, we want to make sure that New Yorkers who are not aware of the theatre and all it has to offer learn about how it works and how to find shows they would like. Through our New Audiences for New York Program, we introduce Broadway and Off Broadway to newcomers who are currently underrepresented in theatre audiences. TDF’s education programs made it possible for over 6,000 New York City middle and high school students to attend the theatre this year. These programs are provided at no cost to the schools or the students. Our programs are increasingly interrelated, allowing students sequential learning opportunities over the course of their high school careers. We continued to deepen and strengthen our presence online at TDF.org, which we want to be a home for information and

conversation about theatre to the nearly six million visitors it receives each month. The reputation of our online magazine, TDF Stages, continued to expand editorially with the launch of an online theatre dictionary which engages theatre companies and performers who create original videos describing common and obscure theatre terms. In addition to our ongoing activities, the TDF Board of Trustees and the staff leadership developed and adopted a threeyear plan with the following goals: • Make TDF central to the creation of a vibrant, passionate, sustainable community of theatregoers in every part of New York City as well as nationally; • Make TDF a home for vital conversations about theatre and dance; • Build and empower new audiences as well as organizations striving to diversify, build, and strengthen their audiences; and • Strengthen our internal capacity to position ourselves to be more adaptive in an ever changing environment.

These are ambitious goals; we will achieve them only with continued hard work and with the continued support and encouragement of our funders, constituents, colleagues, and friends. Without you, we wouldn’t have gotten this far and, with your continued support, we can achieve our goals! Thank you.

Earl D. Weiner Chairman

Victoria Bailey Executive Director

TDF LETTER

Dear Friends of TDF:

tdf Donors TDF Applauds our Donors

Corporate, Foundation, and Government Donors

Home Box Office The Rona Jaffe Foundation New York City Council Member Lewis A. Fidler Robert Rauschenberg Foundation The Schafer Family Foundation Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc. Sony Corporation of America Time Warner, Inc.’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund The Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund

$100,000 and above

$5,000–$9,999

TDF gratefully acknowledges our corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors for their commitment to keeping theatre affordable and accessible to everyone.

Bloomberg Philanthropies* City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs* New York State Council on the Arts* Stavros Niarchos Foundation* $50,000–$99,999

Fund for the City of New York/ NYC Recovery Program The Pinkerton Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc.

TDF DONORS

$25,000–$49,999

Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund—General Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Helene Berger Foundation The FAR Fund The Flom Family Foundation Laurence W. Levine Foundation, Inc. MetLife Foundation National Endowment for the Arts SAP $10,000–$24,999

The Walt Disney Company Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Harry S. Black and Allon Fuller Fund Con Edison

Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Inc. The Bay and Paul Foundations The Bulova Stetson Fund Continental Grain Foundation McGraw Hill Financial New York City Department of Education The Henry Nias Foundation The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation The Rudin Foundation Morris and Alma Schapiro Foundation Seventh District Foundation Sherwood 48 Associates $2,500–$4,999

The Cottonwood Foundation Herman Goldman Foundation Edith Meiser Foundation Serino Coyne, Inc. Xerox Foundation $500–$2,499

Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation CAA Foundation Century Direct The Dramatists Guild Fund, Inc. Friars National Association Foundation

Hearing Loss Association of America—Manhattan Chapter Lutz and Carr *denotes a multi-year grant Individual Donors $10,000 and above

Clover Bergmann Wendy Davies and Walter C. Johnsen* Robert Fried and Karen Kowgios* Meg Herrman* David and Andrea Holbrook* Sheila and Bill Lambert Pia Lindström and Jack Carley* Hector R. Lozada and Norman C. Simon* Gwen Marcus and Nancy Alpert* Marc Platt Hazel Roy Trust Bellanca Smigel Rutter Thomas Schumacher Eileen S. Silvers and Richard Bronstein* Earl D. and Gina Ingoglia Weiner* $5,000–$9,999

Virginia Brody Anna E. Crouse Chris and Don W. Harrell* Indigo Theatre Project Sandra Kresch and Sam Hagler* Gail and Alan Levenstein* Joseph R. Mantello Ruth Sarfaty and Jeffrey Miller* $2,500–$4,999

Sharon and Noel Frankel Judith and Robert T. Goldman* Mariet Hamrah Irene Mecchi Sarah Saltzberg

$1,000–$2,499

Curtis Behrent Al Berr Peter Brown Amy Chin and James Lo* Sharon Dunn and Harvey Zirofsky* Bettye R. Fletcher Joseph Giraldi Joseph Gordon The Jane Fund Tom Melcher and Sharon Ruwart F. Richard Pappas D. Kenneth Patton* Charles L. Reinhart Martha and Robert Solimine Nancy SooHoo-Miranda Gayle and Jerry Stone John Sui Mary Treacy Susan and Charles Tribbitt The Winter Family Fund Edward N. Wolff $500–$999

Oliver Baer Hilton M. Bailey, Jr. In Memory of Annabelle Baruch Barrington L. Branch Christopher Bullock Philip Burford Nicholas Cantalupo Robert Donnalley Barbara W. File Mary Geissman Gordon and Mary Gould Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation Fredda Harris Roy Harris Roger K. Long and Debra Hazelwood Sarah L. Henry Daphne T. Hsu Peter Irwin Paulette and F. William Kaufmann

Phyllis Jo Kubey Robert S. Levinson Elaine Markson Elizabeth and Mark Mindlin L. Michael Newman Hal Prince Trenton L. Rhoton Linda Shapiro Stacey Skordas $250–$499

Anonymous Victoria Bailey Timothy Bevelacqua Peggy Blackford Richard Corry Katherine Restaino Dick Nina Dougar Arlene Esgar Andrea Galeno James J. Gallagher Melissa Gibbs Lisa Goldberg Clive Goodwin Barbara Gottlieb George Haase Bernadette Peters performing at TDF’s 2013 Spring Gala

tdf Donors Jeananne K. Hauswald and William B. Harris Mark Hochberg Lawrence Kong Nathaniel Kramer Marilyn Kupcho Richard Lee Susan Leung Sarah Magni Lauren Manning Eleanor and Kent Martin Alice and Alan Model Namerow Family Foundation Laura Odell Penny Peters* Zelie D. and Carl A. Pforzheimer Alyse Reiffman Nancy Rocker Caryn Rosenberg Carmen Ross Regina and Dennis Santella Michael Santulli Gary Shelton Stephen Sondheim Elise Sosenko Jeanne Stellman Kerry Sullivan Marjorie and Bernard Sunshine Glennda Testone Anita Verbeke Roberta Wailes Deborah Wallace Sheila Wyse We applaud all of the individuals who contributed to TDF in 2012-13. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are unable to list all of our valuable supporters. Thank you for your generosity! *Includes support of TDF’s 2013 Gala

2013 SPRING GALA Our 2013 Gala held on Monday, March 4, 2013 celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the TKTS Discount Booth and honored Philip J. Smith, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Shubert Organization, for his longtime support of TDF and his vital leadership in New York City’s theatre community. TDF gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and companies for their generous support of the 2013 Gala: Gala Chair

Wendy Davies Vice Chairs

Cameron Mackintosh Nederlander Organization The Shubert Organization, Inc. Earl D. and Gina Ingoglia Weiner Benefactors

Bob Boyett Jujamcyn Theaters Patrons

Broadway Across America Broadway.com Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS The Broadway League The City University of New York (CUNY) Wendy Davies and Walter C. Johnsen Disney Theatrical Productions Ted Hartley & RKO Stage Productions, Jane Bergère and Anita Waxman Meg Herrman David and Andrea Holbrook Pia Lindström and Jack Carley Hector R. Lozada and Norman C. Simon

Gwen Marcus and Nancy Alpert Newmark Knight Frank Showtime Networks Inc. / CBS Corporation Stuart Thompson Treasurers & Ticket Sellers Union Local 751, I. A.T. S. E. Committee Members

Anonymous Helene Berger Ilene Berger Amy Chin and James Lo Denham Wolf Becky Diamond and Jamie Stecher Sharon Dunn and Harvey Zirofsky Robert Fried and Karen Kowigos Sarah Galbraith Nancy Nagel Gibbs Robert T. and Judith Goldman Don W. and Chris Harrell Deborah Hartnett Tom Kasulka and Barbara von Borstel Sandra Kresch and Samuel Hagler I. A. T. S. E. Kaufman Astoria Studios Kipany Productions, LTD Gail and Alan Levenstein Chase Mishkin Ruth Sarfaty and Jeffrey Miller Elaine Sargent Serino/Coyne Signature Bank Eileen S. Silvers and Richard Bronstein Times Square Alliance Premiere Tickets

Anonymous Sharon Ellman Barbara H. Freitag Melissa M. Gibbs Fredda Harris D. Kenneth Patton

Supporter Tickets

The Actors Fund Beth Chapin Suzanne and Edward Davies Carol Gertz Julia and Steven Guggenheimer Tom Kirdahy Dara Lamb Barbara Ligeti Tom Melcher and Sharon Ruwart Carolyn Michas Deborah Hicks Midanek and Coley Bailey Memphis the Musical The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization Winzer Cleaners Gala Contributors*

Jody and John Arnhold The Asen Fund Peter and Helen Haje Jane Harmon Associates Kenneth F. Koen Spark Public Relations Amy Stursberg Journal Advertisements**

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Robert Cole Dodger Properties Foresight Theatrical Freida and Roy Furman Lincoln Center Theater Chase Mishkin Music Theatre International Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel Jeffrey Samuels Stage Entertainment USA The Broadway Company The Off-Broadway League Fran and Barry Weissler

Thank you to everyone who made our 2013 Gala a success. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are unable to list all of our generous supporters. *Includes contributions of $600 and above. ** Includes purchases of $1,000 and above.

New York City “ is the theatrical

capital of America, and TDF, through programs like Off-Off@$9 helps make live performance in the 5 boroughs accessible to everyone—from students to retirees. —Beverly Petty Producing Director La MaMa E.T.C.

”

TDF DONORS

$250–$499 (continued)

tdf Donors SHARAFF AWARDS TDF gratefully acknowledges our corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors for their contribution to the Irene Sharaff Awards, an annual event held by the TDF Costume Collection paying tribute to the art of costume design. Event Sponsor

The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund $1,000–$5,000

TDF DONORS

Bespoke Theatricals / Nina Lannan Dean Brown Kitty Leech and Scott Galliher The Rolfe Company, Inc. United Scenic Artists Local 829

$500–$999

Costume Armour, Inc. Gail Cooper-Hecht Paul Huntley Enterprises John Kristiansen New York Inc. Wallace G. Lane, Jr. Donna Langman Costumes Michael J. Stanton Tricorne, LLC Mary H. White Eric Winterling, Inc. $200–$499

Campbell Baird Carl Baldasso Carolyn and Charles Bonheur Alyce Gilbert Briggs Stephen Cabral and Brendan Byrnes Molly Campbell Circa Early Halloween Barbara S. Cokorinos Paul Conway Ilya Fatakhov / Arel Studio, Inc. Cynthia Parker Frye Daniel Geoly Jess Goldstein Joseph Gordon Gordon and Mary Gould

“

A connection with TDF has assisted us to improve internal organization management, connect more effectively with our arts community, and expand our membership base. Through their leadership and innovative thinking, TDF has provided mentorship and inspiration that has led to increased success and sustainability. 6

”

—Marcy Hoen, Executive Director, Austin Creative Alliance

Susan Hilferty and David Stein Michael Hotopp Caroline and Edward Hyman Holly Hynes and Jim Zulakis Frank R. Lopez Nelle Nugent / Foxboro Entertainment Penn and Fletcher, Inc. Gregory A. Poplyk and Patrick Wiley Helene Shamash Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2013 Sharaff Awards. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are unable to list all of our generous supporters.

It’s wonderful to go to an autism-friendly show where, “ if Jamie begins singing ‘The Muffin Man,’ it’s kinda OK. ” —Steven Chaikelson, pictured here with sons (left to right) Jamie, Daniel, Kevin and wife Amanda Rosen.

FRIENDS OF TDF Since 2005, the Friends of TDF have volunteered their time to help TDF raise our profile in the community by helping to plan outreach and fundraising events. Additionally the Friends assist with specific TDF programs throughout the year. We wish to thank the Friends for devoting their time to TDF over the past year.

Executive Committee

Susan Schwarz, Chair Fredda Harris Marsha Kaplan Gilda Schneider

Committee Members

Peggy Chane Anne Frankel Melissa Gibbs Mary Gould Marilyn Grosswirth Simone Kaplan Phyllis Klein Joan Pearlman Nancy Rubinger Barbara Williams-Henry Jane Zucker

tdf Membership/Theatre and Dance Subsidy Programs MEMBERSHIP: THE FACTS

Most of these members live in the tri-state area but several thousand are theatre lovers from all across the country who travel to New York City on a regular basis. As TDF members, these avid theatregoers are able to experience, at affordable prices, all the cultural richness New York has to offer. Some of the shows that have made tickets available to TDF members apply for a special Theatre or Dance Subsidy. These subsidy programs are central to the organization’s mission, as they marry the goals of supporting productions of merit and bringing audiences to the theatre that otherwise might not be able to attend.

In addition to helping us earn “ important revenue, TDF also connects us with a diverse and loyal group of members who love dance and who join us season after season.

”

—Richard J. Caples Executive Director Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

TDF Theatre Subsidy, which supports both commercial and not-for-profit Broadway and Off Broadway productions, was TDF’s first program. In 1968, TDF purchased tickets to The Great White Hope and distributed them to students. This was the first of 33 Pulitzer Prize-winning plays to receive subsidy support from TDF. Since the program’s inception, TDF has provided subsidy support to over 1,000 plays and musicals by purchasing over 4.1 million tickets for TDF members, thus supplying an audience of avid theatregoers, usually during the crucial preview period. For the Theatre Subsidy program, scripts are first submitted to be considered by TDF’s Play Selection Committee. If a production is approved for subsidy support, TDF agrees to purchase up to 6,000 tickets to sell to its membership.

“

TDF offers these tickets to its members at a cost below what TDF pays the production, thereby creating a margin of subsidy. As a consequence, TDF subsidy provides both financial assistance and a loyal and receptive audience at a key moment in the life of a new production. TDF supports Off-Off Broadway theatre, music and dance groups through OffOff@$9, a program whereby TDF members may purchase tickets to these smaller productions for only $9 each. TDF pays these productions the entire $9 from each ticket purchased. TDF Dance Subsidy operates in a similar manner to TDF Theatre Subsidy and has proven to be a valuable audience builder and revenue stream for dozens of established and emerging not-for-profit dance companies each year.

What’s great about the TDF audience is that they are informed and willing theatregoers. They are often the first wave of the ever important ‘word-ofmouth’ necessary to the success of any show.

”

—Amy Jacobs General Manager Bespoke Theatricals

Productions sold (non-subsidy): 1,652 Admissions: 540,728 $ Amount returned to productions: $15,568,762 SUBSIDY: THE FACTS Theatre productions subsidized: 46 (18 Broadway, 24 Off Broadway, 4 ANTC) Admissions: 59,260 $ Amount returned to productions: $2,727,425 Dance productions subsidized: 40 Admissions: 19,225 $ Amount returned to productions: $722,567 OFF-OFF@$9: THE FACTS Productions sold: 1,003 Admissions: 30,016 $ Amount returned to productions: $270,135 GRAND TOTAL Admissions: 630,006 $ Amount returned to productions: $16,561,464

If it weren’t for my TDF “ membership, theatregoing would be a rare treat instead of an active part of my lifestyle.

”

—Phyllis Sears TDF Member since 2005

TDF MEMBERSHIP/THEATRE AND DANCE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

TDF serves a membership of over 90,000 eligible theatre lovers who enjoy deep discounts on admissions to hundreds of theatre, music and dance productions each year. They are performing arts attendees who cannot afford to purchase full-price tickets because they are full-time students or teachers, retirees, civil servants, union members, non-exempt employees, staff members of not-for-profit organizations, or members of the clergy or armed forces.

TDF TKTS DISCOUNT BOOTHS

tdf TKTS Discount Booths TDF’s TKTS Discount Booth, “under the red steps” in the heart of Times Square, continued to be a gateway for theatregoers attending their first Broadway or Off Broadway show. The exciting urban fellowship at TKTS—people from the world over lining up to purchase tickets to a large variety of shows—remains as popular as it was when TKTS first opened on June 25, 1973— 40 years ago.

The days surrounding the 40th Anniversary of TDF’s TKTS Booth in Times Square were truly memorable. On Wednesday, June 25, 2013, exactly 40 years to the day that TKTS opened in Duffy Square in a small trailer donated by the City of New York, TDF’s Chairman Earl D. Weiner, Executive Director Victoria Bailey and Managing Director Michael Naumann were joined by Laura Osnes, the star of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, to ring the opening bell at the I work in Times New York Stock Exchange Square but live in in honor of the special occaBrooklyn and love sion. The next day, TDF had using TKTS in a celebration at TKTS “under Downtown Brooklyn. the red steps” with Broadway There’s rarely a stars Harvey Fierstein and Julie wait and I get to Halston hosting. There, Harvey accepted a Proclamation from see more theatre! the City of New York from —Susan Guinn

“

”

Dept. of Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Kate D. Levin, naming it “TKTS Day.” Also announced at the event was a new service at the booth, the 7-Day Fast Pass whereby TKTS patrons who have bought a ticket are invited to come back within 7 days of that purchase to buy additional tickets and avoid the lines. Our TKTS Patron Services program continued to make the TKTS experience more pleasant for both first-time and veteran theatregoers. The TKTS app shows patrons with smartphones what shows are for sale at all TKTS Booths, helping to expedite the process when they reach the ticket windows. The Play Express window at the Times Square Booth, where there is rarely a wait to pur

TKTS BOOTHS: THE FACTS

chase tickets, remains a popular attraction for theatregoers who prefer to see non-musical productions, and the full-price ticket window allows patrons to purchase tickets for future performances. As celebratory as this past year was for TKTS in Times Square, it was a different story downtown as TKTS lost its presence in lower Manhattan with the destruction of the TKTS Booth at South Street Seaport as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Even with only the main TKTS Booth and satellite booth in Downtown Brooklyn operational for most of the 2012-13 fiscal year, TKTS was still responsible for over 1.6 million admissions. These ticket sales made it possible for TDF to return over $117 million in

Times Square: Father Duffy Square, Broadway and 47th Street Lower Manhattan: South Street Seaport, corner of Front and John Streets Downtown Brooklyn: 1 MetroTech Center Admissions: 1,613,341 $ Amount returned to productions: $117,602,315 Productions sold: 230 (74 Broadway, 152 Off Broadway, 2 Dance, 2 Music)

revenue to 230 productions. Since TKTS first opened in that little trailer in 1973, the program has been responsible for providing nearly 59 million admissions to theatregoers from all four corners of the globe.

Brooklyn, NY

8 TKTS Times Square

Charlotte St. Martin, Kate D. Levin, Harvey Fierstein and Victoria Bailey with Mayor Bloomberg’s Proclamation declaring June 26 as “TKTS Day”

Michael Naumann, Earl D. Weiner, Laura (“Cinderella”) Osnes and Victoria Bailey ring the opening bell at the NYSE on the 40th Anniversary of TKTS in Times Square

tdf Accessibility Programs (TAP)

National Open Captioning Initiative (NOCI) Open captioned performance of the Broadway production of Once

TDF Accessibility Programs, also known as TAP, is Theatre Development Fund’s invitation to the performing arts for people with physical disabilities, as well as individuals on the autism spectrum. TAP arranges for special discount tickets for orchestra seating to be made available to theatregoers who are hard of hearing or deaf, partially sighted, blind, require aisle seating for medical reasons, use wheelchairs, or cannot climb stairs. For children and adults on the autism spectrum and their accompanying families, friends, or guardians, TDF buys out the entire house and makes tickets available at a discount, with varied pricing, in all seating areas of the theatre. Autism Theatre Initiative (ATI)

This newest TAP program offered the following autismfriendly performances: The Lion

King on September 30, 2012; Elf on January 5, 2013 and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on April 27, 2013. The shows were performed in a friendly, supportive environment for an audience of families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensitivity issues. TAP also advised the Disney London office for its first autism-friendly performance of The Lion King in the West End, April 14, 2013. Open Captioned and American Sign Language Interpreted Performances

This year marked TAP’s 33rd season of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances for Deaf Culture audiences and its 16th season of open captioned performances of Broadway and Off Broadway shows for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Open

Through its National Open Captioning Initiative (NOCI), TDF offers a limited number of two-year regional theatre partnerships to sponsor open captioned performances and help increase attendance on a national level for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. To date, TAP has introduced open captioned theatre to 27 different venues in 19 different states. Access for Young Audiences

Access for Young Audiences, TAP’s theatre enrichment program, now in its 18th year, offers tri-state elementary and secondary school students the opportunity to attend accessible Broadway performances. For

these mostly first-time theatregoers who are hard of hearing or deaf, TDF provides sign language interpreting and open captioning. For students who have low vision or are blind, audio description is provided at special performances. TAP sends a teaching artist into the classrooms to prepare students before attending their first Broadway show. This program is offered at no cost to the schools. TAP Plus

In partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), TDF is strengthening its commitment to increase accessibility for people with hearing loss through the regranting program TAP Plus. This program provides funding for open captioning services to eligible cultural organizations throughout New York State. Autism Theatre Initiative performance of Disney’s The Lion King

Productions sold Total TAP ticket admissions: 8,929 (32 Broadway productions, 48 Off Broadway productions) Open captioned admissions: 2,297 Sign language interpreted admissions: 221 Access for Young Audiences: 1,485 students from 58 participating schools TAP Plus: 12 organizations received grants totaling $41,900 National Open Captioning Initiative (NOCI): TAP sponsored 64 open captioned performances in 8 regional theatres across the US: Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA); Blumenthal Center for the Perf. Arts (Charlotte, NC); Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (Pittsburgh, PA); Playmakers Repertory Theatre (Chapel Hill, NC); Portland Center for the Perf. Arts (Portland, OR); Segerstrom Performing Arts Center (Cosa Mesa, CA); Steppenwolf Theatre Co. (Chicago, IL); Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)

We haven’t “ been able go out

due to poor health in over 5 years. TAP’s tickets made it so much easier for us to enjoy theatre. Thank you for your wonderful assistance in making a truly memorable night.

”

—Pat and Bill Sachs Brooklyn, NY

TDF ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS (TAP)

captioning continues to grow in popularity, especially among individuals who experience hearing loss later in life, as well as younger audience members with cochlear implants.

TAP: THE FACTS

TDF EDUCATION PROGRAMS

tdf Education Programs TDF believes that future audiences are built by engaging students first-hand in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process as well as by providing opportunities to attend live performances of great art. During the 2012-13 fiscal year, TDF’s in-depth arts education programs—Stage Doors, Residency Program (RP), and Open Doors—served nearly 6,000 students in middle and high schools throughout New York City.

Stage Doors provides students

with an in-depth introduction to live theatre. Each class attends a Broadway or Off Broadway performance and participates in eight in-class workshops to prepare for the theatregoing experience and reflect on the performance. This program, TDF’s largest arts education program, is offered at no cost to the schools. Residency Program (RP)

is TDF’s intensive playwriting and theatre program,

TDF’s Education Programs offer my “ students the amazing opportunity to enjoy

meaningful theatre. But, more importantly, these educa-tional programs enrich students’ lives because they truly experience how one play can change their views of themselves and the world. —Afonso Albergaria, Teacher

”

10 RP graduates after having their plays performed at The Snapple Theatre

which integrates the craft of playwriting, musical theatre, and movement into the NYC public high school curriculum. Through extensive collaboration, a TDF teaching artist and partnering classroom teacher develop a tailored curriculum, with 12 workshops per semester and professional productions as models, to broaden students’ creative expression and encourage artistic risks. Each RP residency culminates with select student writings being given staged readings by professional actors in an Off Broadway theatre, or a presentation of original student work be it songs, plays, dance, or visual art, at their school. Summer Playwriting Intensive (SPI) provides select grad-

uates of TDF’s RP playwriting program the opportunity to engage in a two-week summer

Dance Project students having just attended ABT

intensive workshop, attend two plays on or Off Broadway and interview professional playwrights. SPI culminates in a staged reading of the original works. The following week, school teachers from across the city attend a week-long version to provide new techniques in playwriting as they engage in RP at their schools. WORDLab was launched this

year to engage high school students who had participated in RP and SPI to continue to explore a career in playwriting by meeting weekly at TDF with professional playwrights and creative artists. They attend a wide range of theatre performances, museums, and cultural events as the catalysts for their own work which is performed twice each year by Broadway actors.

Open Doors operates on the

belief of its co-founder, playwright Wendy Wasserstein, that “theatregoing is the birthright of every New Yorker.” Through Open Doors, dedicated theatre and dance professionals each mentor eight underserved New York City high school students and bring their groups to six Broadway and/or Off Broadway performances over the course of the school year. For this, Open Doors’ 15th year, there were over two dozen mentors working with groups of students from 23 middle and high schools throughout New York City. This year’s TDF Open Doors mentors were: Adam Bock, Mark Brokaw, Kathleen Chalfant, Rachel Chanoff, Kirsten Childs, Graciela Daniele, Scott Ellis, Joe DiPietro, Alan Eisenberg, Peter Friedman & Caitlin O’Connell,

CUNY students at a production process talk with playwrights Dominique Morisseau and Eduardo Machado

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

PXP is TDF’s online magazine for theatregoers ages 16-26, providing a fresh look at NYC theatre. Its goal is to connect artists to the theatergoing audience, making a space for both sides to talk, share, and create community. With space for users to share their thoughts, hear from artists, discover new theatre, take advantage of great deals, and find opportunities in the industry, PXP makes

theatre accessible to young people throughout NYC’s five boroughs. Check it out at pxp.tdf.org.

Number of participating schools: 65 Shows attended by students: Peter and the Starcatcher, The Piano Lesson, War Horse, The Old Man and The Old Moon, Detroit 67, Old Hats, Once, Pippin, The Trip to Bountiful

The Dance Project was a pilot

program which enabled nearly 300 students from 10 NYC high schools, with an interest in dance to attend performances at Paul Taylor, ABT, and the Joyce Theatre at no cost. Next year we look to expand by having the students work directly with dancers and choreographers.

WORDlab students watching fellow students’ plays being performed

OPEN DOORS: THE FACTS Number of participating students: 184 Number of participating schools: 23 RP: THE FACTS Number of participating students: 750 Number of participating schools: 10 Shows attended by students: Dance of the Railroad, Water by the Spoonful, The Madrid, The Piano Lesson, Detroit 67, The Trip to Bountiful

I stand in front of “ you today a person Stage Doors students at a performance of Peter and the Starcatcher

Director Joe Mantello’s Open Doors group from Long Island City High School at graduation

more confident with the direction I hope to take. Open Doors helped me find the courage to become the person I’m meant to be.

”

—Ebony Palacios, Open Doors Scholar Talent Unlimited H.S., Senior

TDF EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Miguel Gutierrez, David Henry Hwang, James Lapine, Robert Longbottom, Aubrey Lynch, Joe Mantello, Kathleen Marshall & Scott Landis, Michael Mayer, Derek McLane, Marc Platt, Frank Rich & Alex Witchel, Thomas Schumacher, Keith Randolph Smith, and David Zippel.

STAGE DOORS: THE FACTS Number of participating students: 5,250

TDF COSTUME COLLECTION

tdf Costume Collection Theatre Development Fund’s Costume Collection provides costume rental of professionally designed costumes to organizations nationwide. Based on a sliding scale, the reasonable rental rates not only allow fledgling companies to mount more professional-looking shows but also help organizations to produce a greater number of new works by keeping production costs down. Performing arts companies, colleges and universities, middle and high schools, television and film, along with

community and charitable groups are among those who may take advantage of all the TDF Costume Collection has to offer. The TDF Costume Collection houses more than 80,000 costumes and accessories contributed by Broadway and Off Broadway productions, opera companies, touring productions, and individuals. This past year, the TDF Costume Collection received donations from the Broadway productions of Gypsy, The Addams Family,

Costumes from TDF Costume Collection in a production of Eugene Onegin at the Opera Company of Middlebury, Vermont

We put on as many as 50 shows a year, “ designing and building most of our own

costumes, but the TDF Costume Collection, with their huge selection, affordable prices and knowledgeable staff are invaluable in helping us complete our productions with their one-of-a-kind costumes and accessories. —Steven Daniel, Costume Design Supervisor American Academy of Dramatic Arts

”

TDF COSTUME COLLECTION: THE FACTS Theatre productions Number of organizations served: 417 (261 performing arts organizations, 113 universities and colleges, 43 secondary schools)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Fences, the New York Philharmonic concert production of Carousel, the Off Broadway productions of Passion and The Caucasian Chalk Circle to name just a few. Other sizeable donations came from Theatreworks USA, RWS and Associates, NBC, City Center Encores, The Tony Awards, Broadway Cares, as well as major regional companies including Paper Mill Playhouse, Park Playhouse, and Theatre by the Sea.

five awards. The 2013 Awardees were: David Toser (Lifetime Achievement Award), Daniel Lawson (Young Master Award), Lawrence Vrba (Artisan Award), Martin Pakledinaz (Memorial Tribute) and Desmond Heeley (Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design). The Awards were presented at a reception on May 3, 2013 at the Hudson Theatre and were underwritten by The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund

The TDF Costume Collection moved into its present home at the Kaufman Astoria Film Studios in late 2011, which has only increased rentals and donations. Tenants of the Kaufman Astoria Studios use the TDF Costume Collection’s services for their productions, including the major soonto-be-released film starring Will Smith and Russell Crowe titled Winter’s Tale, and a film designed by Albert Wolsky (2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award) titled Birdman starring Michael Keaton and Emma Stone.

2013 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awardees: Toser, Heeley, Lawson, Vrba

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards honor excellence in the world of theatrical design by presenting

Staff of TDF Costume Collection

Number of states served: 27 Number of productions mounted: 853 (141 musicals, 414 plays, 46 operas, 10 dance productions, 39 films, 27 other/ special events, 176 commercial productions)

tdf Audience Development Initiatives TDF enjoyed the third year of its partnership with CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university. The program is called BEAT (Bridging Education and Theatre), and it is an initiative designed to provide access to New York City’s performing arts through a wide range of access, education, and ticket programs specifically designed by TDF, tailored to the needs of the entire CUNY community of students and faculty. Since 80 percent of CUNY students remain in New York City after graduation, this partnership will help them become lifelong theatregoers, able to enjoy and participate in a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of New York City. TDF and CUNY share unique roles in New York City, with long traditions of education and the arts, enriching millions each year—CUNY, through educating over half a million academic credit, adult, continuing, and professional education students at 24 campuses, and TDF, which serves over one million New Yorkers and visitors each year through its TKTS Discount Booths, membership, education, and access programs. For

its third year, BEAT involved programming on eight CUNY campuses. TDF.org is a great place to start

or join the conversation about live theatre and dance. A popular destination for theatregoers, it attracts over 6 million visitors each month. Editorial content, fully searchable show listings, information about ticket availability and purchasing procedures, as well as accessibility information for theatregoers with physical disabilities combine to integrate all the facets of TDF’s mission. Visitors may come to TDF.org, aware of only one of TDF’s programs but while on the site they will be exposed to the full range of TDF services. Our programs and activities are varied but they all have one goal: to stimulate greater interest and attendance in live theatre and dance. TDF Stages, which is TDF’s

online magazine, is designed to give audiences an exclusive look behind the scenes of theatre and dance productions in New York City and beyond. The magazine focuses especially on craft, exploring how artists from every realm of live performance create and perfect their work. TDF Stages posts up to four

exclusive items per week—including features, videos, Q&As, profiles, and slide shows—and this year, the magazine has expanded its reach with a weekly, personalized newsletter from editor Mark Blankenship. Sent to both TDF members and general readers who have signed up for an online subscription, the newsletter highlights recent TDF Stages stories and engages readers with weekly questions. The answers to these questions are published the following week, and they have generated consistent, fascinating conversations. Currently, the newsletter—which always directs readers back to TDF Stages and TDF.org—is read by an average of 19,000 people per week. This year we also introduced TDF’s Theatre Dictionary, which uses short, humorous films to define theatre terms that the average audience member may not know. Many of the films are made by theatres around the country—including the Guthrie, the Signature, Yale Rep, and Broadway’s Chicago— which makes the Dictionary not only a reference tool but also a communal art project. Playbill. com is partnering with TDF to feature a new Theatre Dictionary video every month.

New Audiences for New York (NANY)

In 2009, TDF launched a new audience development initiative, New Audiences for New York, which was designed to build new audiences for Broadway among diverse and underrepresented New Yorkers across the City. For this fourth year, TDF worked with a total of 19 groups that represented individuals from all over the City. Each participating group had the opportunity to attend two productions at prices they could afford. Each performance was preceded and followed by a moderated discussion with a TDF teaching artist, as well as a TDF-trained group leader from each of the organizations. As part of TDF’s broader BEAT program, CUNY students had outings and workshops specifically designed around their coursework. Other groups included religious organizations, sororities and fraternities, senior centers, and community centers. Project Audience

TDF is on the Project Audience Transition Committee and Board of Directors of this national audience development initiative funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Project Audience is focused on devel-

oping new technologies to help community-wide arts service organizations become centers for vibrant interaction and information about cultural activities among audience members, artists, and arts organizations. The goal is to provide communities with access to easy-to-use, low-cost, web-based tools and technologies that will increase arts and culture attendance and enhance the visitor experience. Recently completed was a 12-month pilot project in Southern California during which Project Audience built and tested a toolkit for gathering and publishing event information from across the region and began work on a research tool which will offer a layer of business intelligence, mapping, and analytics that should help users better understand audiences or the cultural landscape of their region. Project Audience has scheduled further implementations in other regions of the U.S. over the next year. Project Audience provides an opportunity for the community of arts and culture professionals and their patrons to work together, sharing cultural event information.

TDF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

BEAT (Bridging Education and Theatre)

TDF HONORS AND GALA

tdf Honors

During the past few years, TDF is proud to have been honored by several of its constituents for a variety of its programming. In the fall of 2011, Theatre Development Fund was named as an awardee of the 2011 Mayor’s Award for Arts and Culture. The award acknowledges the role TDF plays in the publicprivate partnerships that sustain the City’s creative vitality and economic well-being. Then, in the spring of 2012, TDF’s Open Doors program, which was originally founded by TDF with Wendy Wasserstein, became the first arts education program ever to receive a special Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. This season, TDF was awarded twice more. First, on September 24, 2012, TDF was presented with the 2012 Ellen Stewart Award, which is given by the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. The Ellen Stewart Award is presented to an individual or organization demonstrating a significant contribution to the Off-Off Broadway community through

tdf Gala service, support and leadership. Over the years, through TDF Vouchers, and most recently with TDF’s very popular OffOff@$9 Program, TDF has introduced hundreds of thousands of theatregoers to Off-Off Broadway theatres and productions throughout the City. For TDF’s contribution to the Off Broadway community, it received a 2012 Lucille Lortel Award, which notes excellence in Off Broadway theatre, for “Outstanding Body of Work.” TDF’s award was presented to Victoria Bailey by actor/playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson at the awards ceremony on May 5, 2013 at NYU’s Skirball Center.

Victoria Bailey accepts Lortel Award on behalf of TDF

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of TKTS in Times Square and honoring Shubert Organization Chairman Philip J. Smith (who was instrumental in the founding of TKTS), TDF hosted a benefit gala on March 4, 2013 at The Edison Ballroom. The evening was a huge success with the 320 guests entertained with a special performance hosted by playwright Douglas Carter Beane, and special appearances by Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Zoe Caldwell, and the cast of Forbidden Broadway.

4-time Tony Award winner Zoe Caldwell enthralls the audience

A video introduction to the gala by Hugh Jackman, honoring Mr. Smith and congratulating TDF on 40 years of TKTS, was another highlight of the evening.

The cast of Forbidden Broadway performs special material written by Gerard Alessandrini in honor of TKTS’s 40th Anniversary Shubert Organization President, Philip J. Smith with Bernadette Peters, Douglas Carter Beane, and the cast of Forbidden Broadway

TDF BOARD Officers Earl D. Weiner Chairman Sandra Kresch Vice Chairman Robert T. Goldman Treasurer Deborah Hartnett Secretary Trustees Victoria Bailey Clover Bergmann Amy Chin Wendy Davies Sharon Dunn Bettye R. Fletcher Robert Fried Joseph Giraldi Don Harrell Meg Herrman David D. Holbrook Gail Levenstein Pia Lindstrรถm Hector Lozada Gwen Marcus D. Kenneth Patton Penny Peters Charles L. Reinhart Ruth Sarfaty Eileen S. Silvers Donna Williams Edward N. Wolff

Chairmen Emeriti George Backer Stephen Benedict John E. Booth John F. Breglio Anna E. Crouse August Heckscher David D. Holbrook Lloyd Richards Edwin Wilson Founding Trustees Stephen Benedict John E. Booth August Heckscher Stuart W. Little John F. Wharton TDF STAFF Victoria Bailey Executive Director Michael Naumann Managing Director Stephen Cabral Director of TDF Costume Collection Lisa Carling Director of TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP) William Castellano TKTS Head Treasurer Julian Christenberry Director of National Services and Ticket Programs Joy Cooper Director of Development

David LeShay Director of Communications Daniel Renner Director of Education Doug Smith Director of Web Services Eric Sobel Director of Finance Tymand Staggs MIS Director Thomas Adkins Victoria Alvarez Sarah Aziz Stephen Banovich Donald Beale Patrick Berger Mark Blankenship Angel Blasini Michael Buffer Joseph Cali Jonathan Calindas John Cinelli Fred Collay George Connolly Laura Delbert JoAnn Gall Robert Gore Joanne Haas Joseph Haws Craig Henniger Tony Heron Joyce Hinds Jennifer Hurlburt Tina Kirsimae Nesly LaFontant Pierre LaFontant

Nicole LaPene Darryl Love Ronnie March Howard Marren Shirley Martignetti Ann Mathieson Erica McLaughlin Michael McCarthy Ginger Meagher Christophe Mentor Costas Michalopoulos Oleg Mishchenko Robert Neely Denyse Owens Barbara Palmeri John Palumbo Jane Pfeffer Frances Polino Salvatore Polizzi Richard Price Ann Ramirez

TDF staff

Christopher Reichheld Eve Rodriguez Brian Roeder William Roeder Mark Runion Cheryl Schoonmaker Rajesh Sharma John Sheehan Michele St. Hill Catherine St. Jean Craig Stekeur Charles Stuis, Jr. Allison Taylor Paula Torres Thomas Westerman Julie Williams Michael Yaccarino

TDF BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF

tdf Board of Trustees and Staff

2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT

TDF

Theatre Development Fund

tdf

520 Eighth Avenue Suite 801 New York, NY 10018-6507 Phone (212) 912-9770 Fax (212) 768-1563 Twitter@TDFNYC Facebook.com/TheatreDevelopmentFund TDF.org