first stage 2010-11 annual report

FIRST STAGE2010-2011ANNUAL REPORT

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First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through:

•Professional Theater productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain

•UnparalleledTheater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills

•DynamicTheater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community

MISSION

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First Stage strives to be the national leader and driving force behind the creation of the best and most innovative plays for family audiences, theater training programs for young people, and education initiatives for our schools and our community. These three interwoven programming pillars are accessible to and reflective of our increasingly diverse community. Through our exceptional leadership, dedicated team, and commitment to financial sustainability, First Stage will broaden the reach and impact of our transformational programs, thus enabling dreams to be fulfilled, hope to be fostered, and families to enjoy the lasting legacy of a profound shared experience.

VISION

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We believe in the transformational power of theater.

Our work strives to be honest, thought-provoking, full of wonder, inspiring, compassionate, alive with humor,

and driven by hope.

We are committed to our community.

It is our responsibility to ensure our work reflects the diversity of our community, to be inclusive, to build bridges,

and to celebrate the uniqueness of all people, especially the young.

We are dedicated to teaching life skills through stage skills.

We help everyone learn the discipline, self-esteem, team building and other leadership skills that come from participation

in our programs. We encourage each person to take their next step, not only as an artist, but also as a person.

We are dedicated to using theater to drive education.

Our specialized educational programs produce measured results demonstrating student academic performance

improvements. We play a significant role in helping our students set and meet high standards of academic

achievement thus enriching our community’s education outcomes.

We respect and value all people, but especially young people.

We strive to embody the fearlessness, risk-taking, imagination and honesty of the young people we work with.

We know that they are the future and that they have the power to change our community.

We provide a supportive, nurturing and uplifting experience for all who pass through our doors.

By nurturing a positive, collaborative and welcoming environment, we enhance the human development and artistic

excellence of our staff, our students, their families, our volunteers and ultimately our community.

We are good stewards of our talents, time and resources.

By working in collaboration with families, schools, professional colleagues and other organizations, we effectively

and efficiently meet the needs of our stakeholders.

CORE VALUES

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2010-2011 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Carol A. Gehl, President Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

Mike Carter, Immediate Past-President Northwestern Mutual

Joel Nettesheim, Treasurer SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C.

Shelia Reynolds, Secretary Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.

Bob Arzbaecher, Vice President (Governance) Actuant Corporation

Gregory J. Schmeling, M.D., Vice President (Programming) Medical College of Wisconsin Clinics at FMLH East

Christopher G. Didier, Vice President (Business Development) Robert W. Baird & Company, Inc.

Lauren Pagenkopf, Vice President (Marketing) Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Kristin Severson, Vice President (Development) Community Volunteer

2010-2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Todd A. Adams Rexnord

Nicole Angresano United Way of Greater Milwaukee

Libby Baranko Community Volunteer

Carrie Burton Community Volunteer

Dawn S. Cooke Community Volunteer

Darren Goldstein KPMG LLP

Kristine Havlik Foley & Lardner LLP

Luke Kowal JP Morgan Chase

Carol Kracht Northwestern Mutual

Ron Kuramoto Future Milwaukee/Marquette University

Lori Meddings Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Lia Moeser Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC

Liza Perry Community Volunteer

Wendy Petzold Community Volunteer

Greg Ramirez Artisan Partners

Jami Ross Community Volunteer

Janet Schmeling Community Volunteer

Deanna Singh Community Volunteer

Kristin Sheehan Community Volunteer

Carver Smith Baker Tilly

Harry Stratton STRATTEC

Amy Taylor Diamond Community Volunteer

Chad Tessmer PNC

Julie Tynion Community Volunteer

Dashal Young Milwaukee County Division of Human Resources

FIRST STAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Thank you for letting our imaginations travel!”

- The Students of BEAM

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PROFESSIONAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS THAT

INSPIRE, ENLIGHTEN, AND ENTERTAIN

In 1987, First Stage began as a small theater company with

a goal of providing professional theater for young people and

families. Today, the company has grown to become one of

the nation’s most acclaimed professional children’s theaters

and one of the largest theater companies in Milwaukee

drawing an annual audience of 116,000. At the heart of First

Stage is a season of professional theater for young people

and families with titles chosen for educational content,

social significance, and their potential to spark conversation

at home and in classrooms. First Stage productions

have reached approximately 2.5 million people with

161 professional theater productions since 1987.

First Stage has always been committed to developing new

work and to date has presented over 42 world premieres,

collaborating with renowned artists including Harry Connick,

Jr, composer Stephen Schwartz, award-winning author Lois

LowryandWisconsinplaywright/actorJamesDeVita.

The2012-2011seasonwasanartisticsuccess.Due

to popular demand, First Stage added a full week of

performances to our First Steps’ production of THE

LITTLEENGINETHATCOULDandtwoperformancesof

AHUNDREDDRESSESinourFamilySeriesattheTodd

Wehr Theater. It is important that First Stage’s ticket prices

remain affordable for families and student groups therefore

First Stage relies on charitable contributions to subsidize

the cost of producing our high quality productions. In fact,

ticket sales cover only 50% of the cost to produce our

plays. Throughout the 2010-2011 season, First Stage

was able to provide 4,127 subsidized tickets to low-

income schools.

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Our 2010-2011 season was an artistic success reaching 116,000 people in over 340 performances!

PETER PAN AND WENDY

AdaptedbyDougRand,

from the novel by J.M. Barrie

Total Audience: 17,728

“a beautiful and stirring piece of theater…

a homage to the homespun, human-scaled

magic that makes theater unique”

–Mike Fischer, Special to the Journal Sentinel

MY SON PINOCCHIO

BookbyDavidI.SternwithMusic

and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz,

MusicforWhenYouWishUpona

Star by Leigh Harline, Lyrics by Ned

WashingtonfromtheWaltDisney

Motion Picture PINOCCHIO


“It’s easy to forget that the story of

Pinocchio isn’t just about a puppet

becoming a boy, but also about a man

becoming a father. MY SON PINOCCHIO

is a musical about both, which makes it a

great choice for highlighting First Stage’s

commitment to programming that brings

adults and children together, both on stage

and in the audience.”

–Mike Fischer, Special to the Journal Sentinel

THE MAGIC BICYCLE

An original play by John Olive


Hailed as an “original time-travel

adventure” that is “full of comedy and

heart.” With an “amazing, computerized

bike” and a “charming” cast, THE MAGIC

BICYCLE “[pedals] furiously to develop its

complex plot” in which “imagination [plays]

a key role.”

“The audience [was] delighted to ride along

on [this] exciting trip through history and

their own imagination.”

–Peggy Sue Dunigan, The ThirdCoast Digest

THE 2010-2011 FAMILY SERIES AT THE TODD WEHR THEATER INCLUDED:

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U:BUG:ME

By Jeremiah Clay Neal


“Even if the weatherman forecast snow

and sub-zero temperatures, Milwaukeeans

of all ages can find a little bit of spring

at First Stage. Laughter and music echo

throughoutthetheaterasU:Bug:Me!

rushes in the season by bringing to life

these enchanting insects, compelling the

city to fall in love, trust and be young (or at

least young at heart) once again.”

–Peggy Sue Dunigan, ThirdCoast Digest

THE HUNDRED DRESSES

Based on the novel by Eleanor

Estes, Adapted by

Mary Hall Surface


“the show was spectacular…the period

costumes, simple sets and old timey music

were perfect for the piece.”

–Molly Snyder, OnMilwaukee.com

“You’ll have something to talk about on the

wayhomefromTheHundredDresses.”


MISS NELSON IS MISSING

Adapted from the book by Harry

Allard and James Marshal; Book,

music and lyrics by Joan Cushing


“Judging by the reaction Friday, the

audiencegaveMISSNELSONISMISSING!

an A-plus”


Hundred

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First Steps Series is geared toward children 3 to 6,

introducing them to live theater in an engaging, interactive

and lively environment at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

This year featured:

AESOP’S FABLES

By Mike Kenny


“the production is well conceived…[and]

entertaining for a young audience that may

be seeing live theater for the first time”

– Russ Bickerstaff, Shepherd Express

THE LITTLE ENGINE

THAT COULD

By Watty Piper, Adapted for the

stage by James Larsen, Music and

Lyrics by Stuart Kenny


“audience members will learn the value of

perseverance and self-confidence as they

watch, hope and cheer the Little Engine

over the mountain”

– www.milwaukee.broadway.com

FAbLES

THE 2010-2011 FIRST STEPS SERIES AT THE MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER

“I would like to acknowledge First Stage for helping me grow into the person I am today.”

-Academy Student10

UNPARALLELED THEATER ACADEMY TRAINING THAT

FOSTERS LIFE SKILLS THROUGH STAGE SKILLS

Debutingin1992,FirstStageTheaterAcademyteaches“life

skills through stage skills” and is the largest theater training

program of its kind for young people in the nation. The Theater

Academy is a year-round program which features small class

sizes, sophisticated curriculum, and a high number of contact

hours. Through superb theater training the ultimate goal is

achieved – nurturing the social and emotional wellbeing of young

people while they learn valuable life skills such as leadership,

empathy, commitment, and teamwork. Since the Academy’s

inception, the program has had approximately 30,000

enrollments by students age 3 – 18.

•Morethan1,800studentsparticipatedinthe

program in 2010-2011 (3,000 enrollments).

•Approximately1/4ofenrollmentswereby

studentsresidingintheCityofMilwaukee

Financial aid is provided to economically disadvantaged

children and no child has ever been turned away because

of financial need. Since 1992, First Stage has awarded

3,247 Theater Academy scholarships with 550

Scholarships to 323 students in 2010.

First Stage recognizes that theater is a wonderful tool to

develop skills not limited to the stage. Through Theater

Academy participation, we help young people build self-

esteem and cultivate the vital skills that will help them

throughout everyday life, such as collaboration, empathy,

confidence and focus.

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FIRST STAGE ALUMNI IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING “LIFE SKILLS” LEARNED AT FIRST STAGE THAT HAVE

HELPED THEM OVERCOME CHALLENGES OR REACH GOALS:

First Stage program outcomes correlate with key workforce development skills that employers are actively seeking in

today’s workforce and the next generation of corporate and community leaders.

Classes are offered year-round, most of which take place at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, a national model for youth

training in the performing arts. To accommodate the increasing number of students we serve, First Stage also offers Theater

Academy programming at five satellite locations including:

• Oconomowoc Arts Center • Sharon Lynne Wilson Center (Brookfield) • Schauer Arts Center (Hartford)

• Wauwatosa Recreation Department • Carthage College (Kenosha)

YouthYoung Adult

Adult

First stAge AcAdemY impAct*

AcAdemy youth Active ApplicAtions: Positive risk-taking, critical thinking skills, planning and executing plans, to accept challenges, manage time, optimism, goal setting, to lead as well as follow, to value diversity on all levels, quick thinking, to manage and channel emotions, to delay immediate gratification, teamwork and cooperation, problem-solving, and learning to work for the benefit of the whole vs. the individual.

AcAdemy Alumni Active ApplicAtions: Creative thinking skills, problem solving, managing and channeling emotions, selfconfidence, independence, respect, applying constructive criticism, being flexible, empathy for and understanding others’ perspectives, thinking on one’s feet, time management, planning skills, and goal orientation.

employer needs Active ApplicAtions: Ability to take and adapt constructive criticism, time management, admit and learn from mistakes, good listeners, sound decision-making abilities, showing grace under pressure.

AcAdemy youth AcAdemy Alumni Workforce development**employer needsStudents increase their odds of success

by learning:Early and consistent Academy exposure helps prepare young adults for life by teaching: EQ Factors that influence managers’ hiring decisions:

personal skills:• Optimism• Self-Awareness• Self-Management(also supports stress

management)• NavigatingEmotions• Self-Direction• SelfConfidence• Self-Respect• Self-Discovery

social skills:• Empathy• PursuitofNobleGoals(teamwork and

focus on community)• Leadership• TakingDirection• InterpersonalSkills• MutualRespect

personal skills:•Optimism•Self-Awareness•EmotionalLiteracy•NavigatingEmotions•Self-Direction•ConsequentialThinking

social skills:•Empathy•PursuitofNobleGoals(teamwork and

focus on community)•Leadership•TakingDirection•InterpersonalSkills•MutualRespect

personal skills:•Optimism•Self-control•Self-management•Stressmanagement

social skills:•Empathy•Teamwork

•Leadership•Abilitytofollowdirection•Dynamicinterpersonalskills•Conflictresolutionskills

SOURCES:

* First Stage Children’s Theater Academy Evaluation conducted in 2005 included a 3600 qualitative perspective on impact from students, alumni, parents, classroom teachers, and Academy instructors, conducted by professional evaluator Mary Reinders of Reinders Research.; First Stage Children’s Theater Emotional Intelligence Assessment conducted in 2008-2008 including pre and post tests using Six Seconds EQ methodology conducted by professional evaluator, Mary Reinders of Reinders Research.

** Survey conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com between May 19, 2010 and June 8, 2011.

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DYNAMIC THEATER IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS

THAT PROMOTE ACTIVE LEARNING IN OUR

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY

First Stage has offered Theater in Education programs

for all 24 years of the company’s existence serving

approximately 2.8 million students since 1987. First

Stage’s Theater in Education Teaching Artists are in

schools on average of 20 times per week throughout

the school year. With the goal of inciting young people’s

excitement for learning and helping classroom teachers

explore curriculum using interactive, imaginative and

integrated methods, First Stage’s Theater in Education

programs use theater as an effective medium to teach

academic subject matter. Through our professional theater

performances, classroom workshops and residencies,

we encourage students of all ages to experience their

world differently and find new connections to their school

curriculum. As schools are forced to spend less on arts

programming, these programs cleverly blend the arts with

existing curriculum making it a win-win for teachers that are

under pressure to cover a great deal of material and students

that thrive when they are allowed to express themselves

and use their natural creativity in the classroom. First Stage

has the unique ability to use theater activities to present

curriculum effectively to all types of learners – visual, auditory

and kinesthetic. First Stage offers programs that improve

literacy skills, increase state standardized test scores and

help teachers learn new and creative ways to teach.

“Exceptional arts education can be trans-formational for a child by instilling them

with self-esteem and leadership skills, and no organization inspires kids to imagine

and grow the way that First Stage does. Their exceptional outreach helps ensure that schools can incorporate the arts

into the classroom, even at times when school budgets are tight.”

– Deanna Tillisch, president of the United Performing Arts Fund.

THEATER IN EDUCATION

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The Community Partnership Program makes First Stage

programming available and easily accessible to low-income

families and City of Milwaukee schools.

With a goal of furthering the social, academic and

emotional growth of low-income City of Milwaukee children,

the Community Partnership Program had a positive and

lasting impact on approximately 4,800 pre-school through

high school students in 2010-2011.

The Community Partnership Program is made up of three

separate initiatives all with the same goal: to use the power

of theater arts to nurture the positive personal development

and academic advancement of City of Milwaukee children.

1) Family Partnership Program:

Theater Academy Character-Building Program

2) Connections Program:

An In-School Arts Integration Program

3) Literacy Residency Program:

An Arts Integration and

Active Learning Program

OUTCOMES: The 4,800 students reached annually

through First Stage’s Community Partnership Program

increase their chance of success by learning the following

life skills through First Stage programming: emotional

intelligence, self-management, optimism, self-awareness,

empathy, and leadership among other interpersonal and

social skills.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

African American

Hispanic

Caucasion

Asian

Native American

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ETHNICITY

1% 1%

68%

14%

16%

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SINCE THE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM’S

INCEPTION, THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS HAS

INCREASED BY 555%:

•99scholarships(60students)in2003-2004

•550scholarships(323students)in2010-2011

The Family Partnership Program provides scholarships and

individualized support to students who would not otherwise

be able to attend the Theater Academy. In addition to

providing financial assistance, First Stage provides lunch

for students who need it, extra T-shirts if laundry facilities

are not readily available, and safe reliable transportation to

and from the program.

Family Partnership Program: Theater Academy Character-Building Program

EVALUATION:WithReindersResearch,FirstStage

conducted a study measuring impact of Theater Academy

participation on students’ Emotional Intelligence (EQ). The

study revealed that the Academy brings the most significant

gains to students at the lowest end of the EQ spectrum, a

group strongly represented by students of color receiving

financial assistance. This reinforces First Stage’s belief that

the Theater Academy program has the most positive impact

on underserved youth.


SERVING 323 STUDENTS

African American

Hispanic

Caucasion

Other

Undisclosed

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ETHNICITY

46%

18%

13%16%

7%

1. Bruce Guadalupe

2. Allen-Field Elementary School

3. Escuela Vieau School

4. LaCausa Charter School

5. Dover Street School

6. Trowbridge Street Elementary School

7. Tippecanoe Elementary

8. Garland Elementarychool

9. Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning

10. Clement J. Zablocki Elementary School

11. St. Adalbert

12. US Grant School

13. Manitoba School

14. Academia Lenguaje Y Bellas Artes - (ALBA)

15. Doerfler School

16. Urban Day School

17. Edward A. MacDowell Montessori School

18. Lincoln Middle School of the Arts

19. Oliver W. Holmes Elementary School

20. Golda Meir

21. Elm Creative Arts School

22. Milwaukee College Prep

23. Business and Economics Academy of Milwaukee, Inc. (BEAM)

24. Neeskara Elementary School

25. St. Catherine

26. 65th Street School

27. Stuart School

28. Concordia Luthern

1234

56

7

8

10

11121415

1617 18

1921

9

13

20

222324

25

26

27

28

Milwaukee

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Connections Program: An In-School Arts Integration Program

SINCE THE CONNECTIONS PROGRAM’S

INCEPTION IN 2004-2005, THE NUMBER OF

STUDENTS REACHED HAS INCREASED BY 768%

•521childrenin2004-2005

•4,000childrenin2010-2011

Most Connections schools have few, if any, licensed arts

education specialists indicating that Connections is

filling a significant need in City of Milwaukee schools.

With the goal of supporting students and teachers

at City of Milwaukee schools who, as a result

of urban school budget cuts, have minimal

access to arts education, First Stage created the

comprehensive in-school arts education program

called Connections. The Connections Program

develops creative thinking, logical reasoning, public

speaking, and Emotional Intelligence.

First Stage is in each individual classroom on

4 separate occasions throughout the school year.

The program includes:

•AttendancetoaFirstStageproduction

•Freebussingtoandfromthetheater

•Pre-Showworkshops

•Post-Showworkshops

•TeachingThroughTheaterworkshop

SERVING 4,000 STUDENTS AT 25 SCHOOLS


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THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

PROGRAM DONORS WHO MADE A GIFT OF $500+

DURING THE 2010-2011 SEASON.

Andrew and Carlene Ziegler

Badger Meter Foundation

Bill & Gwen Werner Fund

Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.

Chase

DesireeErickson

GeneandRuthPosnerFoundation,Inc.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Halbert and Alice Kadish

Fund 2

H. H. Camp Foundation

Harley-DavidsonFoundation

Helen Bader Foundation

Herman W. Ladish Family Foundation

Isabel Bader

Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation

Linda and Michael Groth

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Pieper Electric Inc.

PNC

RalphEvinrudeFoundation,Inc.

Service Club of Milwaukee

Target Stores

The Burke Foundation

The Gardner Foundation

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation

The Sheehan Family Foundation

The Stephens Family Foundation

The Turer Family

Weiss Family Foundation

Wells Fargo

Connections Program: An In-School Arts Integration Program

EVALUATION:GrowthDesignconductedanevaluation

of First Stage’s Connections Program to gauge the impact

of the program on participants. Both program and non-

program participants representing urban, suburban,

private, and parochial schools in the Milwaukee area

were surveyed (656 students and 37 teachers). The study

affirmed that the program was a very valuable education

tool – participants related a clearer understanding of the

values presented within the plays; demonstrated a higher

level of understanding of and empathy for the characters

depicted in the play and their purpose in the story; correctly

identified answers to production-specific academic

questions twice as often.

SERVING 4,000 STUDENTS AT 25 SCHOOLS


0

20

40

60

80

100Minority Students

Free/Reduced Lunch

Special Needs

CONNECTIONS PARTICPANTS

85% 77%

18%

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The First Stage Literacy Residency is a 25-week

arts integration program for City of Milwaukee 2nd – 6th

gradestudents.TheLiteracyResidencyisdesignedto

address two considerable needs in Milwaukee Public

Schools: develop critical literacy skills and improve state

standardized test scores. This program is designed around

the appropriate grade level reading, writing, and language

arts curriculum, as well as the reading comprehension and

writing portions of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts

Examination (WKCE). By using active learning techniques

to appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, this

program helps students gain knowledge and skills in the

following critical learning areas: story comprehension, ability

to identify story elements, listening and oral language skills,

ability to discuss universal themes, critical thinking and

problem solving skills.

Literacy Residency Program: An Arts Integration and Active Learning Program

First Stage’s Early Childhood Literacy Residency,

a school-readiness program for City of Milwaukee 3K to

1st grade students, instills early literacy skills and a love

of reading for low-income preschool children using story

drama and dialogic reading. In 14 workshops, the program

brings 14 stories to life for pre-schoolers using active

learning activities based on the elements of the story and its

characters that helps all types of learners become engaged

in the learning process. Because studies have shown that

simply owning books has a positive impact on literacy

efforts, each participant receives a copy of one of the books

in the series as a “graduation” present. The classroom

teacher also receives a copy of each of the 14 books to add

to their classroom library.

• In2010-11,theprogramreached200studentsat

Milwaukee College Preparatory School and

Phillis Wheatley Elementary School.

•96%ofparticipantsareAfricanAmerican

•69%qualifyforfree/reducedlunch

EVALUATION:A2007studyconductedbyReinders

ResearchrevealedthattheLiteracyResidencyissuccessful

in creating and reinforcing a classroom community.

While teaching valuable skills in reading, comprehension,

public speaking and technical aspects of language arts,

the program appeals to and unites traditional academic

learners and active learners who are many times excluded

from participation. This evaluation also revealed that urban

schools participating in the program made the greatest

gains compared to their own urban peers.


African American

Hispanic

Asian

Caucasion

90%

8%

1% 1%FIRST STAGE LITERACY AND EARLY LITERACY RESIDENCY ETHNICITY

SERVING 200 STUDENTS AT 2 SCHOOLS

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PARTNERSHIP

First Stage has a longstanding partnership with the

Daniels-MardakBoys&GirlsClub,locatedat4834N.

MotherDanielsWay.StudentsattheDaniels-Mardak

Boys & Girls Club come from a variety of schools including

RufusKingHighSchool,McNairAcademy,35thStreet

School, Custer High, Morse Middle School and Congress.

The average percentage of students that qualify for free/

reduced lunch at these schools is 78% (ranging from 51%

atRufusKingto94%at35thStreetSchool).

In 2010-2011, First Stage reached approximately 250 City

ofMilwaukeechildrenthatattendtheDaniels-Mardak

Boys&GirlsClubwithaDramaResidencyprogramthat

explored cultural and social differences and similarities

through a drama. The year-long residency is open to all

Club members.

A more intensive 20-week advanced program is available

for Club Members to devise, rehearse, and perform a new

play. In 2010-2011, 6 students age 7 - 12 used the book

COOTIE SHOTS, a collection of socially charged plays,

poems, and songs to create a play that promoted tolerance

and acceptance of all people regardless of culture,

ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, gender,

class, or appearance. Students selected the pieces they

found most compelling for their final performance.

COOTIE SHOTS CAST:Greg Chambers, Jada Chambers-Washington, Marco Humprey, Martgzia Humphrey, LaNae Ramey and Martin Williams

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FIRST STAGE SPECIAL EVENTS

First Stage’s largest annual special event, the Make

Beleive Ball enables First Stage to broaden the reach and

impact of our programs.

•Over375adultsandchildrenattendedthe2011

Make Believe Ball.

•The2011MakeBelieveBallraisedover$100,000

forFirstStage!

The Ball featured the dynamic Ant Hill Band from

U:BUG:ME,children’sentertainmentbyFirstStage’s

ComedyImprovgroup“OrganizedChaos,”magicbyRick

Allen Magic Productions, and music and dancing with

MusicontheMove!

Thank you to the 2011 Make Believe Ball Committee for creating

afabulousandmemorableeventforFirstStagefamilies!

2011 Make Believe Ball Steering Committee:

Amy Goldstein, Wendy Petzold, Kristin Sheehan, Lisa Wright

2011 Make Believe Ball Committee:

Amy Arzbaecher, Libby Baranko, Sarah Boardman-Miller,

Carrie Burton, Katerina Brickman, Jennifer Hadcock,

Kristyn Harrell, Amy Hopkins, Pam Lueken, Liza Perry,

KaraRamirez,JamiRoss,DeannaSingh,

Jennifer Slator, Gale Taylor, Sarah Timmer,

Alexis Weltman, and Gayle Woodward

First Stage’s 17th Annual Make Believe Ball

FIRST STAGE CHILDREN’S THEATER’S17th annual

Join the Queen Bee, Pico the Fly, Esteban the Earwig, and all their friends for

a bee-bop of miniature proportions!







Alexis, JJ, and Lucy WeltmanShoot the Moon Photography

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Thank you to our generous sponsors:

PLATINUMSPONSOR

GOLDSPONSORS

RobertW.Baird&Co.

Baker Tilly, LLC

Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Children’s Hospital and Health System

Godfrey & Kahn S.C.

Harley-DavidsonMotorCompany

KPMG LLP

MarcusHotels&Resorts

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

Michael Best and Friedrich LLP

PNC

RexnordIndustries,LLC

SILVERSPONSORS

Answerport Management & Technology Consultants

SVACertifiedPublicAccountants,S.C.

IN-KINDSPONSORS

Beechwood Sales & Service

PNC

Shoot the Moon Photography




Make Believe Ball guests Kiley and Sydney Smith have a ball!

Todd Adams, Sheri Adams, Kim Eck, Dave Eck, Amanda Eck, Ashlyn, TJ & Maddie Adams

FIRST STAGE SPECIAL EVENTSFirst Stage’s 17th Annual Make Believe Ball

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2011 Wine Dinner Co-Chairs

Janet and Greg Schmeling

2011 Wine Dinner Committee:

Amy and Bob Arzbaecher, Amy and Jon Hopkins, Michele

andDanNelson,BarbaraandThomasSlawski

Guests were transported to South America to enjoy the

food, wine, and culture of Argentina. Westmoor Country

ClubExecutiveChefAlDriespreparedanamazingmeal

pairedwithViñaCobosFelinowinesfromArgentina.

The event featured a live tango performance by Bailando

DanceCompanyandguitaristPeterBaime.

Special Thanks to Nelson-Schmidt Inc., Sabor Brazilian

Churrascaria, and Westmoor Country Club for their

support of this event.

•TheWineDinnerraisedover$32,000tobenefit

First Stage

•Attendancewasup35%andrevenueincreased

by 60% from the 2010 Wine Event

First Stage’s Argentine Wine Dinner

First Stage Board Member Todd Adams and Sheri Adams demonstrate the Argentine tango!

Jane Kramer and Dan Nelson of Nelson Schmidt raise a toast to First Stage!

FIRST STAGE SPECIAL EVENTS

“You helped change many lives!”- 2nd Grade teacher, Blakewood Elementary

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THE OVATION SOCIETY

Individualswhodonate$1,000ormoretotheAnnual

Campaign are members of our Ovation Society. Their support

is critical to our success and we were thrilled to welcome 18

new donors into this special group in 2010-2011.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80 02–03

03–04

04–05

05–06

06–07

07–08

08–09

09–10

10–11

TOTAL NUMBER OF OVATION SOCIETY DONORS BY SEASON

12%

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First Stage is proud to have a consistently balanced budget

and carries no accumulated deficit. With an operating

budgetof$4.35million,madeupof40%contributed

revenue and 60% earned income, First Stage relies on the

community to help keep our programming accessible and

help children develop skills fundamental to success in life.

First Stage is proud of the organization’s fiscal health and is

committed to maintaining this through our upcoming 25th

anniversary season and beyond. First Stage relies on the

community to help us keep our programming accessible and

help children develop skills fundamental to success in life.

FIRST STAGE 2010-2011 FINANCIALS

1%

6%3%

3%

25%

Individuals

Corporations

Foundations

Government

Wine Event

Make Believe Ball (Gross)

UPAF

In-Kind

CONTRIBUTED REVENUE RAISED $1,777,727 IN 2010-11 WITH THE FOLLOWING BREAKDOWN

12%

21%

29%

Ticket Sales ($1,791,859)

Theater Academy ($711,623)

Theater in Education ($133,425)

Other Earned Income ($76,260)

United Performing Arts Fund ($452,457)

Grants and Contributions ($1,325,270)

FIRST STAGE SUMMARY OF OPERATING REVENUE & EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

16%

3%2%

10%

29%

40%

24

Visionary ($150,000+)

The Burke Foundation

UnitedPerformingArtsFund

Benefactor ($20,000 – $149,999)

Actuant

Helen Bader Foundation, Inc.

Isabel Bader

The Lynde and Harry Bradley

Foundation

JPMorgan Chase Foundation

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Mary L. Nohl Fund

Harley-DavidsonFoundation

Herzfeld Foundation

Jennifer and Michael Keough

KeithMardakandMaryVandenberg

Nicholas Family Foundation

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

PNC

The Shubert Foundation, Inc.

Wisconsin Arts Board

Andrew and Carlene Ziegler

Muse ($10,000 – $19,999)

Anonymous

RobertandAmyArzbaecher

Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.

Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation


111 Anonymous Fund

Halbert & Alice Kadish Fund 2

Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic

and Musical Programming

Advisory Council (CAMPAC)

National Endowment for the Arts

Jane B. Pettit Foundation

RexnordFoundation

RockwellAutomation

Kristin and John Sheehan

BrianStarkandDebraAltshulStark

The Turer Family

Wells Fargo

Impresario ($5,000-$9,999)

Todd and Sheri Adams

Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Foundation, Inc.

RalphEvinrudeFoundation

Jody and Mark Furlong

Carol and Bill Gehl

Milwaukee Arts Board

Max Samson and Nancy Pinter

Gregory and Janet Schmeling

Stackner Family Foundation, Inc.

Stephens Family Foundation

EllenandBobVenable

Producer ($2,500-$4,999)

Anonymous

Astor Street Foundation, Inc.

Mike and Nancy Carter

LoriandChrisDidier

The Gardner Foundation

DorothyInbuschFoundation,Inc.

Kaili and Praveen Jeyarajah

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

JoelandDonnaNettesheim

LizaandRandyPerry

Service Club of Milwaukee

Barb and Harry Stratton

DavidandJuliaUihlein

Charitable Foundation

Weiss Family Foundation

Weyco Group Charitable Trust

FIRST STAGE 2010-2011 DONORS

Artistic Director ($1,000-$2,499)

Dr.andMrs.JeffreyA.Aldred

William and Janis Annesley

Anonymous (2)

Badger Meter Foundation, Inc.

Libby and Jon Baranko

Gretchen and Chess Barbatelli

Steve and Melanie Booth

Cheryl and Mark Brickman Philanthropic Fund

RandyandMaryLynnBrotherhood

The Burton Family

Children’s Theatre Foundation of America

DawnandBrianCooke

AmyTaylorDiamondandJasonDiamond

Lindy and John Florsheim

Tom and Jennifer Florsheim

Sarah and Jeff Frank

The Franks Family

AmyandDarrenGoldstein

MaryandRobGoodman


Diane Pellegrin Fund

VELA Fund

Linda and Michael Groth

MargareteandDavidHarvey

HGA Architects and Engineers

HH Camp Foundation

MauriceandDianeHunt

Cary and Tara Kochman

CarolandDougKracht

KimberlyandJohnA.LoGiudice,M.D.

RayandDawneManista

LanetteandDanMaurina

Elizabeth Meyer and Sam Hope Family

Sue and Tom Neill

Kris and Mark O’Meara

Lauren Pagenkopf and Michael McCafferty

PeckFoundation,MilwaukeeLTD

RobertandDebraPeterson

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS,

CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS

SUPPORT OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON:

25

Judy and Carl Pickard

GeneandRuthPosner

Foundation, Inc.

Pieper Electric, Inc.

KaraandGregRamirez

SheilaReynoldsandBobChang

JamiandBruceRoss

The Scovil Family

The Severson Family

Joan Shafer

Carver and Brenda Smith

Mary and Charles Sprague

Target

Alyssa and Chad Tessmer

Coleen and Sean Tutton

Variety-TheChildren’sCharity

of Wisconsin

Katie and Jason Weeks

Director ($500-$999)

Kim and Steve Acheson Family

Nicole Angresano and

Joshua Mersky

Mithra and Gary Ballesteros

ScottBeightolandDesireeErickson

Jim and Caryn Esten


Bill & Gwen Werner Fund

Luty Fund

HabushHabush&RottierS.C.

Glen and Claire Hackmann

Kristine Havlik and Frank Lenz

Patrick and Melissa Horne

and Family

Mark and Marta Karstedt

Mary and Ted Kellner

Barbara and John Kemp

Francesca Kempfer and Glenn

Czerwinski Family

Luke and Alison Kowal

RonandChristineKuramoto

Jennifer and John Maclay

DanMcKinleyandJanKeleher

Lori and Bryan Meddings

SusanandRobertMikulay

Chris and Anne Noyes

Patrick, Barbara, and Kira Patterson

Anthony Petullo Foundation

AmyandRobertQuinn

SteveandShelaghRoell

Jeff and Sue Schouten

Brenda Skelton and

James Bendtsen

Walt Skipper

PamandDaveSmith

in honor of Jacob

and Bailey Timmer

ElizabethUihlein

Michael and Margaret Welch

Barbara and Merrick Wells

Catherine Young

Playwright ($250-$499)

Greg and Chris Alevizos

Mr. and Mrs. F. Michael Arnow

The Artley Family

RobertArzbaecher,Sr.

Lynn and Charles Barney

The Batory Family

Heather Bechthold/Hayley

and Hunter Paykel

The Blashka Family

Bucciarelli Family

Brandon Campbell

G. F. Carrera

Nancy and Jared Clarkin

Kristine Cleary and Peter Coffey

Mary and James Connelly

FrankGPDailyandJuliannaEbert

4SLAMDMLS

SonjaandAntonDevcic

SueandTomDoyle

Barbara Ecklond

Giacomo Fallucca

Bill and Kari Foote Family

Julia and Josh Gimbel


Walter and Susan Getzel Fund

RandyandLaurieGoll

Lori Hanes and Todd Martens Family

Ann and Charles Heide

Anne and Steve Hoch

Hupy and Abraham, S.C.

Gene and Stephanie Klurfeld

The Lampereur Family

Curt and Carin Larson

DebandKenMater

Michael Melugin and Pam Hanson

Paul Miller

DebandPaulMoody

Maria and Mitchel Olig

DavidOlson

Laura and Adam Peck

Charles Perry

Jay and Carolyn Peters

James and Sharon Petrie

Tom and Sheri Price

NicoleandDanRenouard

SymaandTimothyRicher

BibiandGregRosner

LynnRusy

DanSchleyandBarbaraHaig

Dr.andMrs.JeffreySchwab

Molly and Michael Shapiro

DeannaSinghandJustinPonder

SuzanneandDougStaniszewski

Stamm Technologies

Larry Stephens

Thermoset, Inc.

CaroleandWilliamVetter

SharonandDeanVlasak

DedraWallsandRobertMunger

Paul and Laura Weisman

John and Margaret Wittkowske


26

Star ($100-$249)

Cheryl and Ward Alles

Julie Anding

Mr.andMrs.RobertAnger

Anonymous (3)

MariandRajBal

Carmen Anderson and Peter Balik

Kimber L. Bartosiak

DonnaandDonaldBaumgartner

RobertBenson

Shannon and Nathan Bernstein

Betsy and Bill Berrien

C.M. Best

Annette and Scott Blanchard

Joyce and Bernard Bobber

Kim Bosworth

George and Angela Bowman

DavidBraaten

Sally and Steve Brandl

Edward J. Hammond and

Marcia P. Brooks

Bunkers Family

Tim Carpenter

Dr.M.SandraCasper

Clossey Family

Elyse and B.J. Cohn Family

Amy and John Cordio

JulieandMarkDarnieder

PamandDaveDoerr

ChrisandLisaDresselhuys

MichaelH.andNancyCrossDunham

Karyn and Bill Elliott

Amy and Brian Ellison

SusanandDavidElls

Jeffrey Elver

Laura and John Emory, Jr.

Sam and Jennifer Essak

Marie Fahrendorf

Conner Farrell

Mrs. Ardith Faucett

Tom and Tanja Felton

Mark and Holly Filmanowicz

Michael Fitzgerald

Mike and Marybeth Flanders

Michelle and Scott Fleischmann

DavidS.Flores

Kellie and Mark Foster

Sabrina, Jessica and Katrina Fox

Marion Frank

Freeman Family

Kitty and Eric Gaenslen

Molly and Patrick Gallagher

Holly and Clark Gamblin

Ken and Cindy Gear

Jane Gellman

M. Anne and Franklyn Gimbel

Jill and Mark Goldstein

GrandValleyAppraisalServices,Inc.

DeborahandCharlesGraupner

Ginny Gribble

Laurie and Steve Grindel

Sharon and Michael Grinker

Chris, Margie and Sarah Grond

Steve and Maureen Hansen

Leila and Joe Hanson

DonnaandJamesHarper,Jr.

Julie Hedgcock

Jeff Held, New Berlin Plastics

Kerry Henrickson and Lori Liebman

The Henry/Krauss Family

RuthandJohnHoenick

DavidandPatriciaHoff

Phyllis and Manford Holman

Tammy M. Howard and Family

Jennifer and Andy Hubbartt

Hunter-Kramer Family

Joann Jentzsch

DanielJohnson

DeborahJones

RobertJoseph

Cynthia and Marc Kartman

Kathleen and Jeff Kalenak

SueandRayKehm

LoraKellerandMikeDeWan

Christine and Patrick Keyes

GinaandDaveKing

The Kitchen Family

Allan and Mary Klotsche

Jon Kluge

Patricia and Patrick Knight

Jason Knop

DebraKrajacic

Marina and Frank Krejci

Pam Kriger & Family

John and Therese Lang

Kathleen Lawler

Brenda and Matthew Levatich

Mark and Cindy Levy

Lindy and Josh Liberman

Gail Lione and Barry Grossman

RobertLitzauandAnnieSalmona

Wayne and Kris Lueders

Jodi and Scott Lurie

Kevin & Kristin MacKay and Family

JuliaandDavidMagnasco

Marjorie and Jon Margolies

JanandVinceMartin

Janet and Andy Martin

Drs.LeslieMartinandSabinaDiehr

Zia and Alok Maskara

Jennifer McClellan

Beth and James Mesrobian

Lee and Julianne Mevis

Ken Michaelchuck

SharonandDavidMiddleton

Carol and John Miller

Thomas A. and Kathleen Miller

Jill and Tony Minessale

Michael Mitchell

Jane Moore

Carol and Brian Morello

RonandElizabethMorgan

James and Joan Morrissey

Meaghan Morrissey

Linda and Jock Mutschler

Janet Nelson


27

Stacey and Mark Newcomer

DeborahandTimNustad

John and Monique Olsen

Olson/Garcia Family

LorrainePagel,D.D.S.

Paul and Marion Pagenkopf

Gary Paler

JamshedandDeborahPatel

Mark E. Penzien

Mark and Wendy Peterson

Joseph and Susan Piette

Stacy and Timothy Pike

Bruce and Candy Pindyck

Michael and Jayne Pink

Gail and Frederic Posner

JenniferandDavidPosner

RapisardaFamily

MaxandCindyRasansky

PiperRawsthorne

Victor,GraceandEdyReckmeyer

AnnandJimReeve

MaryReinders

NigelRothfelsandHeatherHathaway

JayandTracyRothman

EvaandWilliamRumpf

KathleenD.Ryan

RobertSaadi

Audrey and Bradley Salick

Gary and Sherry Schickert

Greg and Tracey Schley

Carl E. Schultz, CPA

Christy Schwan

Sue and Bud Selig

Bonnie and Fred Shafrin

Amy Shapiro

Peter Sommerhauser

Bill and Jackie Spaciel

MaryandDavidSteege

DavidStram

Margaret Stratton

and Gregory Norman

Margaret and Gary Tackes

Channing and Holly Tassone

Mr.andMrs.RichTeerlink

Tim and Kim Teske

Steven and Kristen Thomas

Dr.andMrs.JamesToniolo

Anne and Peter Traudt

Todd and Annette Troshynski

The Turner-Warren Family

TomandLynneVanHimbergen

DyanandJeffreyWagner

Mary and Willard Walker

Walkowiak Electric, Inc.

Mr.andMrs.MichaelR.WaltonJr.

Barbara and Jack Ward

Janette and Eric Weiss

Susan and William A. Wernecke, Jr.

Paul and Nadine Weske

Nicholas and Erin Whitehead

Judi and Larry Widen

James B. and Elizabeth T. Wigdale

Nancy and Timothy Wilkinson

RobinWilsonandPeterFoote

Mary Winter

Kathy and Scott Yanoff

Joan and Arjuna Yelanjian

Matching Gifts

Baird Foundation

Bank of America

Brady Corporation

Gap Foundation

GE Foundation

First Stage is grateful for the generous support of our 2010-2011 season of professional theater productions,

Theater Academy and Theater in Education programming. Thank you for believing in our mission to touch

hearts, engage minds and transform lives through theater.

ITW Foundation

Johnson Controls Foundation

KPMG LLP

Merck Partnership for Giving

The Pentair Foundation

Perkins Charitable Foundation

RexnordFoundation

RockwellAutomation

U.S.Bank

Wisconsin Energy Foundation

In-Kind Donations

Alterra

Beechwood Sales and Service

Clark Graphics

Core Creative

Country Springs Hotel

Mark Frohna

Google Inc.

Heim’sDowntownToyStore

Hilton Milwaukee City Center

The Marek Group

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

JoelandDonnaNettesheim

PricewaterhouseCoopers

RainbowBooksellers

Rollesfson,Tochlell&Associates

Sattell, Johnson, Appel & Co., S.C.

The Schmeling Family

Nelson Schmidt

Sign-A-Rama

Stamm Business Technologies

SysLogic


first stage 2010-11 annual report

Documents

young people

education programs

theater training programs

transformational programs

diverse community

stage skillsdynamictheater

communitymission3first

leadership skills