Hartford Stage Celebrates Successes at 2008 Annual Meeting
Major Gifts Highlighted; Budget Surplus Announced;
Michael Wilson's 10th Anniversary Commemorated;
New Board Members Elected; Veteran Employee Honored;
Artistic Achievements, Institutional Successes Celebrated
July 1, 2008/Hartford, CT . . . Hartford Stage, which recently completed a record-breaking season under the leadership of Board President Walter Harrison, Artistic Director Michael Wilson, and Managing Director Michael Stotts, announced at its annual meeting that the 2008 fiscal year ended with a projected budget surplus. This was one of many successes of the past year celebrated at the event, which was held in Hartford Stage's MainStage theatre at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford and chaired by Mr. Harrison. The afternoon also celebrated Michael Wilson's tenth anniversary as artistic director, a substantial financial gift to the theatre, as well as other significant institutional milestones. The company joined with continuing Directors to welcome new Governing Board members Kimberley Byrd, Bruce Cliff, Richard Costello, David Jimenez, and John Lynch. Board officers were also elected; R. Kelley Bonn and Jill Adams as Vice-Chairs; Paul Bourdeau continues as Treasurer and Nadine Francis West is the new Secretary.
Leadership Gift to Campaign Announced
A centerpiece of the meeting was the announcement of a $1 million leadership gift from philanthropists and entrepreneurs George and Laura Estes for the Tony Award-winning theatre's proposed building renovation and expansion campaign. Christina B. Ripple, speaking on behalf of the campaign co-chairs said, "Geo is among our most generous donors. He is an enthusiastic and energetic advocate, and now he and Laura have set the bar at a new level to encourage others to join them as we prepare for the future." Geo Estes will also join the campaign committee as an honorary chair. Work on the 30-year old Robert Venturi-designed theatre is expected to begin next June, with architect Mitchell Kurtz overseeing the renovation. Further details of the project will be announced late this year.
Artistic Director Michael Wilsonsaid of the gift, "Geo and Laura are passionate about downtown Hartford, the theatre, and specifically Hartford Stage. By making this extraordinary gift, they are expressing their commitment to all three, as well as to the citizens of Connecticut. Geo and Laura are dedicated to sustaining and encouraging the future development of Hartford Stage. Their gift will not only be a legacy to Hartford but to all of Connecticut, and indeed, the American theatre."
Financial Successes, Artistic Highlights of the 2007-08 Season Celebrated
The financial success of the just-concluded season was a recurring theme at the meeting. The theatre ended the season with a projected budget surplus, a rarity for a non-profit arts institutions and a testament to the theatre's fiscal responsibility and the continuing popularity of its artistic programming in the greater Hartford community. Indicative of that popularity were an increase in subscribers for the past fiscal year and record breaking ticket sales for the season-opening production of Our Town. Among the artistic achievements saluted were the successful conclusion of the popular and critically lauded decade-long Tennessee Williams Marathon, record attendance for the ninth annual Brand:NEW Fall Festival of New Work, and the continued expansion of Hartford Stage's unique, life-changing education programs.
Managing Director Mike Stotts states of the season's impressive financial numbers, "We are thrilled that our numbers are up and that our audiences and supporters responded so well to what we are doing. Next year will be another story as we continue to battle costs that are rising rapidly, and we see greater competition for people's time."
Significant Institutional Achievements 2007-2008:
- An increase of $117K in single ticket revenue, a 14% increase over 2007-08, due in large part to critically lauded productions of Our Town, The Bluest Eye, and The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, all enthusiastically embraced by audiences.
- In an industry where subscriptions are declining, Hartford Stage saw an increase of $114K in subscription revenue.
- Hartford Stage had a successful year in terms of contributed revenue, and exceeded $3M for the first time in the Stage's 44-year history. Contributed revenue increased 6% over 2007-08 and over 2200 individuals donated, a 7% increase.
- Corporate giving increased $31K from last season
- Hartford Stage's fundraising goal was exceeded by $218K. Factors contributing to that success were an increase in our operating grant from the state and a $200K Neighborhood Excellence Grant from Bank of America, given over two years, recognizing Hartford Stage as a "Neighborhood Builder."
- The annual fundraising gala brought in a record $320K in net income
- We expanded of our partnership with the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and will feature third and fourth year acting students in three productions next season
- Artistic Director Michael Wilson had significant professional accomplishments including a National Governors Award for service to the State of Connecticut, a Distinguished Advocate Award from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Hartford. He directed the revival of Old Acquaintance on Broadway and will transfer his Off-Broadway hit Dividing the Estate to Broadway this fall.
A very personal tribute concluded the meeting when Barry Sellers, who has worked in the Hartford Stage costume shop for 26 years creating costumes for countless theatrical luminaries, was honored with the first "Barry" award. The honor, named for Sellers, will be given annually to a Hartford Stage employee who exemplifies excellence in his or her discipline, demonstrates dedication to the theatre, and contributes continuing service to Hartford Stage.
New Members Elected to Hartford Stage Governing Board of Directors
Kimberley Byrd is a founding partner of Tennant Risk Services, a Hartford based specialty insurance broker established in 1987. The firm was sold to Mercator Risk Services earlier this year, and Kim continues to manage day-to-day operations of the business. Kimberley is a member of the Hartford Stage Directors Society. Her past Board experience includes the Bishop's Fund for Children and Chair of St. John's Outreach Committee and Parish Life Committee. She and her husband Chris live in West Hartford and have been season ticket holders at Hartford Stage for over 20 years.
Marla J. Byrnes has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1992, currently serves as an Honorary director, and is a member of the Directors Society. Marla is a Board member of Hartford Hospital, Hartford Golf Club, and Open Hearth. She also serves as a Committee member for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Scholarship committee, Duke University Parents Annual Fund, Yale University Parents Annual fund, Westminster School Parents Annual fund, and The Taft School Parents Annual Fund.
Bruce Cliff is Senior Vice President, Bond and Financial Products at Travelers in Hartford. Bruce is a member of the Hartford Stage Directors Society. He lives in West Hartford and his other community involvement includes leadership positions on the Boards of the Wadsworth Atheneum and the World Affairs Council of Connecticut.
Richard Costello lives in Simsbury with his wife and three sons. He was most recently Vice President of Investor Relations at The Hartford Financial Services Group and is currently transitioning to a leadership role in investor relations at a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company. Richard is a member of the Hartford Stage Directors Society. He is also a member of the Board of Finance at the First Church of Christ in Simsbury.
David Jimenez is a Partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, a leading national law firm, where he is co-chair of the firm's Corporate Governance Practice Group and a member of the Class Action Practice Group. David is a member of the American Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association, the MetroHartford Alliance, the American Leadership Forum, a Board member of the Hartford County Bar Foundation, and a former Barrister of the Inns Court.
John B. Lynch, Jr. is a Partner at Robinson & Cole, where he serves as Chair of the Business Section and as a member of the managing committee. John is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the U.S. Law Firm Group. He also serves on the East Catholic High School Golf Development Committee, the Town of Wethersfield Youth Advisory Board, and the Town of Wethersfield Economic Development Commission.
Major Contributors Recognized
A number of organizations, foundations and individuals continued to provide major support for Hartford Stage's 2007-08 season, helping to promote the theater's mission on stage and behind the scenes. Leadership contributors this year included:
Adams & Knight / Bill Knight & Jill Adams
Aetna Inc.
Bank of America
Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
The Estate of Clifford S. Burdge, Jr.
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
George & Laura Estes
Greater Hartford Arts Council
The City of Hartford
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
John and Kelly Hartman Foundation
ING
Lincoln Financial Group Foundation
The Katherine K. McLane and Henry R. McLane Charitable Trust
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
The Prudential Foundation
The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation
SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.
The Shubert Foundation
The Travelers Foundation
United Technologies
University of Hartford
About Hartford Stage
Hartford Stage has an annual operating budget of approximately $8.5 million, attracts over 135,000 patrons each year - including 17,000 students - and has an estimated economic impact on the Hartford region of over $25 million. The theatre produces year-round, including six MainStage productions, two SummerStage shows, the Brand:NEW Fall Festival of New Work, and Connecticut's best-loved holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, which will celebrate its eleventh anniversary and welcome its 250,000th patron in 2008. Hartford Stage employs over 100 actors, designers, directors, artisans, and theatre professionals annually.