NCP 2015-16 Season

2014-2015 Annual Report

The Newman Center for the Performing Arts

                           

303.871.6200 www.newmancenterpresents.com

   

 

 

Our Vision The Robert and Judi Newman

Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrate, entertain, inspire, and feed the imagination

Give voice to the innate human need for expression through performance

Educate and prepare better citizens of our community

Begin conversations of ideas Foster an eagerness for and habits of curiosity

and learning Make the major sources of our own and other

cultures accessible to our community Embrace our differences: celebrate diversity of

forms, attitudes, traditions, and populations Challenge assumptions and encourage creativity

and new work, even at the risk of failure Help teach our cultural heritage through the

performance of great works from the past and support creativity by contemporary artists whose new voices will be remembered in the future

Demand excellence and integrity without avoiding controversy

Remind our community that the performing arts have value to our society, because they:

Create self-esteem, which is earned by striving to achieve high standards

Integrate with other disciplines such as language, history, math, and science

Foster communication and interpersonal skills

Cover photo: Diavolo, at the Newman Center for Performing Arts, May 9, 2015 Top right: Mummenschanz, Nov. 8, 2014 Middle right: A full house in Gates Concert Hall (photo credits: Gwen Phillips) Bottom right: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company offers “An Evening of Movement and Music” at NCPA, Jan. 24 & 25, 2015 (photo credit: Paul B. Goode)

303.871.6200 www.newmancentertix.com

Join us for our 13th Newman Center Presents season!

Companhia Urbana de Dança Sun, Jul 19, 2015

Twyla Tharp 50th Anniversary Tour Thu, Sep 24, 2015 Fri, Sep 25, 2015 Colorado Symphony Orchestra Inside The Score: Brahms’s 4th Symphony Tue, Oct 6, 2015 Michael Feinstein Thu, Oct 22, 2015 Anonymous 4: Final Season Tour Sat, Nov 14, 2015 Boston Brass & the Brass All-Stars Big Band Christmas Bells are Swingin’! Wed, Dec 2, 2015 Brooklyn Rider Almanac Thu, Jan 14, 2016 Kyle Abraham / Abraham.In.Motion Wed, Jan 20, 2016 Sō Percussion with Shara Worden Sat, Feb 6, 2016 Paul Taylor Dance Company Sat, Feb 20, 2016

Sun, Feb 21, 2016 Colorado Symphony Orchestra Learning to Hear Color Thu, Feb 25, 2016 Metropolitan Opera Sat, Mar 5, 2016 Rising Stars Concert Series globalFEST On the Road Tue, Mar 29, 2016

Gabriel Kahane and Timo Andres Sat, Apr 2/3, 2016 Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge Avalon Thu, Apr 21, 2016

Billy Childs Map to the Treasure Thu, May 5, 2016

  

   

 

   

Above: Yale Whiffenpoofs, January 6, 2015 (photo credit: Gwen Phillips)

Left: The Newman Center at the University of Denver. Sketch by Mike Thomas, February 1, 2009

We Thank our Sponsors for their continued support

Founding Partners

Presenting Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

From the Executive Director

The Newman Center for the Performing Arts is a department of the University of Denver reporting to the Provost. Our mission is (a) to assist the Lamont School of Music and Department of Theatre in their uses of the theatrical venues in the Newman Center, (b) to make venues in the Newman Center available for rental by community organizations, and (c) to curate and present to the public the Newman Center Presents series.

Every year the Newman Center for the Performing Arts hosts nearly 500 events serving around 100,000 people from the community. The Newman Center’s four stages feature performances of instrumental and vocal music from classical, alternative classical, jazz, pop, and countless world traditions, spoken theater, dance, and opera. We serve the rehearsal needs of numerous community organizations. In addition, we manage other events ranging from wedding receptions and corporate meetings to memorial services and parties. At the Newman Center people share entertaining and moving experiences with good friends in the region’s best performance venues.

Performing arts centers are complex and expensive buildings to own and operate. A building such as the Newman Center, however, is a vibrant example of the University’s commitment to excellence and public service. No other university performing arts center is so beautiful or offers such unparalleled acoustics, comfort and sight lines. These traits enable our students to learn in the best possible environment, challenging them to live up to the standard of what surrounds them. And these traits allow the artists we present from all around the world to give our community the best artistic experiences possible.

Our operations are made possible through ticket sales and external rental income, which, however, account for less than 60% of our costs. The Newman Center receives generous support from individual donors and members, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Underwriting from the University of Denver makes up the rest. Thank you very much for your dedication and support.

Sincerely,

Stephen W. Seifert

Executive Director, Newman Center for the Performing Arts   

2014-15 Season Highlights The 14-15 season of NCP had the highest number of tickets sold and the greatest ticket income we’ve ever had. 

We were honored to host The President’s Own United States Marine Band

We hosted Denver premieres by 6 artists (Hot Sardines, Beijing Dance/LDTX, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Roomful of Teeth, Donal Fox, and the it gets better tour)

The week of activities built around the it gets better tour included 12 educational residency activities, the most robust educational work any of our visiting artists has ever provided.

We collaborated with One Colorado to arrange for activities in Cesar Chavez Academy in Denver, Pomona High School in Arvada, Atlas Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, The Center’s Rainbow Alley, and the University’s own Ricks Center, Morgridge College of Education, and Graduate School of Professional Psychology. The volunteer local Community Chorus for the performance included over 75 singers.

Students from the University’s Lamont School of Music spent the fall preparing for and then providing the live musical accompaniment for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company’s performances in January.

We collaborated with CU Presents to host the artists of Medeski Martin & Wood and Alarm Will Sound as they created new works that had their world premiere performances at the Newman Center and Mackey Auditorium.

Above: Capitol Steps, October 17, 2014Left: The Hot Sardines, October 10, 2014 (photo credit: Gwen Phillips) 

Newman Center Staff & Support

The Newman Center is a department of the Office of the Provost, University of Denver Administrative & Executive

Gregg Kvistad, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Stephen W. Seifert, Executive Director Richard Michel, Budget Officer Cathy Kaufman, Executive Assistant Event Services Diane L. Roth, Assistant Director Amanda Swartzbaugh, Event Manager

Ramsey Walker, Event Coordinator Marketing Natalie Raborn, Marketing Director Patron Services Dee Getchel, Assistant Director, Patron Services Production Services Garret Glass, Assistant Director, Production Services

Shakeel Wahab, Stage Operations Coordinator/ Audio Engineer Zach Jovanovich, Stage Operations Coordinator/ Lighting Engineer

Ticketing Services Richard Moraskie, Assistant Director, Ticketing Services Max Manoles, Assistant Manager of Ticketing

Clockwise from top:

Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile, Sept. 23, 2014

Members of Gay Men’s

Chorus of Los Angeles “it gets better,” April 24, 2014

Beijing Dance/LDTX,

November 18, 2014

(photo credits: Gwen Phillips)  

Dee Getchel Garrett Glass Zach Jovanovich Cathy Kaufman

Max Manoles Richard Michel 

Richard Moraskie Natalie Raborn Diane Roth Steve Seifert

Amanda Swartzbaugh Shakeel Wahab Ramsey Walker

Newman Center Staff

 Audience Attendance

& Box Office Report

In combination with over 200 Lamont ensemble and Department of Theatre performances, as well as over 100 Lamont student recitals, plus Newman Center Presents and rentals, the Newman Center reaches tens of thousands of people each year through its events.

The following graphs represent data collected on audience attendance and student/senior ticket distribution for all 2014-2015 events:

 

Approximately 102,921 Attendees Total    Approximately 410 Events Total 

* These data reflect the number of people at ticketed events determined by actual numbers of tickets collected and estimates of the number of people present at non-ticketed events.

The M Allan Frank Family Box Office at the Newman Center tickets approximately 200 events for nearly 40 clients every season, comprising nearly 50,000 tickets sold and $1.5 million in gross ticket sales. Since our switch to Paciolan ticketing systems in 2011, we’ve made great strides in using new technology and giving our customers more options when purchasing tickets on the internet. Customers can now purchase tickets using their mobile devices, select their own seats when buying tickets online, have their tickets delivered to their mobile devices, and transfer their tickets via email to a friend if they can’t use them. In four years, our web sales have increased from 28% to 50% of total tickets sold.

Our box office window staff consists primarily of Lamont School of Music students. Stop by the Box Office to buy your tickets and meet the performers of tomorrow!

15%

56%

7%1%

21%

Audience Attendance Per Producing Organization *

Newman CenterPresents ‐ 15,109

Rental Clients ‐57,477

DU Internal Clients ‐7,825

Department ofTheatre ‐ 991

Lamont School ofMusic ‐ 21,519

5%

32%

5%5%

53%

Number of Events at the Newman Center

Newman CenterPresents ‐ 21

Rental Clients ‐ 129

DU Internal Clients‐ 21

Department ofTheatre ‐18

Lamont School ofMusic ‐ 212

“Ticket sales…exceeded budget substantially.”

The Newman Center for the Performing Arts is a department within the University of Denver. Our budget does not contain all the revenue or expenses associated with the University’s ownership and use of the Newman Center. For instance, music and theatre student tuition, and gifts for scholarships, faculty support, and academic operations are all accounted for in other departments. Likewise, facility costs such as utilities, grounds and structural maintenance, and many custodial services reside in other budgets. Our financial results reflect our department’s support of Lamont and Theatre usage of theatrical space, the Newman Center Presents series, and our operation of the community rental program.

We are pleased to report that the Newman Center’s financial performance remains strong. Denver’s regional performing arts organizations continue engaging audiences through shows produced in the Newman Center, consequently demand for rental of venues in the Newman Center in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, enabled us to exceed our budget for income related to community rentals. Parking revenue also exceeded budget. Ticket sales for the Newman Center Presents series were very strong and exceeded budget substantially. Our corporate sponsorship income was less than budgeted, but gift income from individuals and foundations was robust. We transferred $40,000 to the long-term capital fund. Finally, our expenses were over budget by 18%, but this was a direct result of conducting more business than budgeted, which results both in more expenses and more revenue. Total operating activity for the Newman Center generated a positive variance compared to budget of just over $46,000. Thanks to these results, we earned $27,240 for our gain/share account, which can be used in future years for special projects. For instance, in FY2013 and FY2014 we engaged nationally known arts firm TRG Arts for professional consultation using a portion of accumulated gain/share funds, in FY2014 we used gain/share funds to pay over half the costs of acquiring a new Steinway grand piano for June Swaner Gates Concert Hall, and in FY2015 we were able to upgrade the projector in Gates Concert Hall, wireless microphone system, and our stage production intercom system, all using gain/share funds.  

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, February 21, 2015

photo credit: Gwen Phillips

Financial Standing Donor & Membership Acknowledgements

The Newman Center for the Performing Arts would like to express its gratitude to the following individuals and organizations who have given generously during the 2014–15 Newman Center Presents season to support the

Newman Center and the Newman Center Endowments. Listed below are donations and memberships received between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015.

   NEWMAN CENTER DONORS

Anonymous (several) Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Charmatz Family Community First Foundation Herschel and Barbara Cravitz Max E. Donaldson Geoffrey Gordon Barbara Jean Hamilton Andrew Hornbrook Meredith Black and L. Roger Hutson MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation Montjoy C. and Frank A. Kugeler Antonia & Vladimir Kulaev Cultural Heritage Fund, Inc. Susan Harriet Martin Yolanda McAllister Douglas G. and Laura B. Moran Barbara Neal and Ed Ellis Tracy Paige Forest O. Peneton Kathy A. and Donald D. Rosenkrans Ruth Schoening Stephen W. Seifert Carolyn Strand J. Alton and Dorothy J. Templin Joan B. Wohlgenant Janalynn Sau Wong In memory of Fran Seifert Karin Bond In honor of Dee Getchel Frances H. and James W. Cosby In honor of Beverlee Henry and the Honorable Robert Fullerton In honor of Judi and Robert Newman M Allan and Margot Gilbert Frank In honor of Susanne W. Hamilton, Edith Berliner, and Max Wilmersdoerffer Barbara Hamilton and Paul Primus Newman Endowment for Experiential & Cultural Learning

In honor of Margot and Allan Frank In honor of Sue Anschutz Rodgers Beverlee Henry In honor of Robert and Judi Newman Jennifer Newman In honor of Jane Quinette Stephen W. Seifert and Davol G. Tedder In honor of Cynthia Secor Adrian Tinsley BENEFACTOR Beverlee Henry PARTNER Margot Gilbert and M Allan Frank Stephen W. Seifert Davol G. Tedder SPONSOR Gordon Appell Family Charitable Fund Diana W. and Mike Kinsey David R. and Florence Lynn Linke Paula J. Meadows Sean and Natalie Raborn – Power Quip SUPPORTER Carolyn A. Agosta and William Rauschert Leslie Smith Beltrami Mary Jo Craige Kathryn Heet Marian D. Lauterbach Michael E. Leighton – Sage Family Fund David R. Linke W. Peterson Nelson–Nelson Family \ Foundation Jean and Ed Onderko Richard K. Replin and Elissa Rae Stein Gene E. and Nancy M. Richards Kathryn Spuhler William A. Stolfus and Andrea G. Richardson Adrian Tinsley

CONTRIBUTOR Robert M. and Carole Cantor Adelstein Lisa Allen Mary Brothers Charlene S. Byers Joel S. Cohen and Kathryn L. Oberdorfer Geoffrey G. Gordon James P. Hayes Roger L. and Suzanne O. Kinney Susan Harriett Martin William Mohrman Mike Moore Jennifer Newman Donovan and Phyllis Rieger Paula Roney David Rosentrater Ruth Elaine Schoening Susan Deese Tracy Carol A. Wilson Jeffrey Zax FRIEND Kenneth A. and A. Louise Beard Karin Bond Thomas N. Butler Hilary Carson Matt Chalek Frances H. Cosby Russel R. DeWitt Katherine A. Dines and David Hunter Miller Miriam Farrington Pamela Herring and Martin Eisenberg Robyn Jacobs Ross and Vicki Kazer Jim LeNoir Sarah Lincoln Isabelle Marques Mark Paller Sally G. Plummer Karen J. Shaw Jenene C. and James J. Stookesberry Kalli Van Maaren

   

 

 

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The Power of Membership

We strive to make excellent programming available to everyone in our community. To do this, our ticket prices are held at a level that covers less than half of the true costs of our programming, operations, and maintenance. The difference is made up by your generous gift and membership support.

Your membership in the Newman Center makes a powerful difference by bringing our community the best in performing arts from around the world, supporting student discounts and master classes, and sustaining a landmark facility. Please consider adding a partially or fully tax-deductible Membership to your Newman Center support.  

Matching Grant Opportunity

As part of the University’s Campaign for the Performing Arts, gifts of $10,000 or more to the performing arts at DU will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $5 million. Gifts can be made over a period of up to five years. For example, a gift of $2,000 per year for five years will be matched with an additional $10,000. Binding testamentary gifts of at least $10,000 will also be matched. Gifts may be designated for the Newman Center, Lamont School of Music, or Department of Theatre.

 

“Would you like a program?”

Newman Center volunteers at  The Nutcracker  

Volunteer Program The Newman Center’s Volunteer Program was designed and developed by Dee Getchel, Assistant Director for Patron Services. It began with 22 volunteers during the Newman Center's first season in 2003 and has grown to a dedicated and consistent volunteer group of over 200 members from the Denver area community. These friendly and knowledgeable volunteers serve as ushers and ticket-takers for a large portion of events at the Newman Center. At the end of each season a party is held to show our appreciation and give awards to those who volunteered the most. Since its inception, the volunteer program has not only saved rental clients thousands of dollars in contract usher fees, but it has also saved university-sponsored events close to $475,000. During this past 2014-2015 season alone, the volunteer program saved the university $46,868 covering 27 university-sponsored events. Throughout the season this dedicated group volunteered a total of 2,023 times – covering 82 events and giving 8,284 hours of their time.

FY14 Actual FY15 Actual

________________________________________________________________________ REVENUES

Revenues Related to Community Rentals 750,480 773,518 Internal Rental Activity 80,431 69,821 Newman Center Presents Ticket Sales 447,199 448,463 Sponsorships and Advertising 5,000 5,000 Gifts and Grants 145,514 90,140 University Support 449,986 509,079

_______________________ TOTAL REVENUE 1,878,610 1,896,021

EXPENSES

Wages, Salaries & Fringe Benefits * 766,556 799,742 Office Operating Expenditures ** 84,419 89,920 Printing and Advertising 79,535 90,007 Program Expenditures *** 874,704 852,105 Insurance 23,396 24,247 Plant and Capital Equipment 50,000 40,000

_______________________ TOTAL EXPENSE 1,878,610 1,896,021

__________ NET OPERATING RESULTS 0 0

* Full Time, Part Time, Student, and Show Labor ** Office Operating, Postal, Shipping, Telephone, and Tech Services *** Artist Fees and Hospitality, Credit Card Fees, Research, Travel, and Other Outside Services

Diavolo, May 9, 2015 photo credit: Gwen Phillips

Financial Summary

766,556 

84,419 79,535 

874,704 

23,396 50,000 

Wages, Salaries &Fringe BenefitsOffice OperatingExpenditurePrinting andAdvertisingProgram Expendables

Maintenance

Plant and CapitalEquipment

750,480 

80,431 

447,199 5,000 

145,514 

449,986 

Revenues Related toCommunity Rentals

Internal RentalActivity

Newman CenterPresents Ticket Sales

Sponsorships andAdvertising

Gifts and Grants

University Support

773,518 

69,821 

448,463 5,000 

90,140 

509,079 

Revenues Related toCommunity Rentals

Internal Rental Activity

Newman CenterPresents Ticket Sales

Sponsorships andAdvertising

Gifts and Grants

University Support

799,742 

89,920 90,007 

852,105 

24,247  40,000 Wages, Salaries &Fringe BenefitsOffice OperatingExpenditurePrinting andAdvertisingProgram Expendables

Maintenance

Plant and CapitalEquipment

Analysis of Financial Summary   

 

   

 

 

 

 

     

FY 14 Total Revenue  FY 14 Total Expense

FY 15 Total Revenue FY 15 Total Expense

Total Revenue 1,878,610 Total Expense 1,878,610

Total Revenue 1,896,021 Total Expense 1,896,021

Newman Center Endowments

The Newman Center was built to the highest standards of excellence to be of service to both the campus and the community. Long-term support of the facilities, systems, and equipment requires dedicated financial reserves which are provided in several ways. First, the Newman Center’s long-term needs are managed as part of the University’s Integrated Facilities Plan. Second, the Newman Center has a building endowment and several program endowments, each of which is described below. All of these endowments are managed as part of the University’s permanent endowment. Current gifts and planned bequests can be made to any of these endowments or to establish new, named endowments. University matching grants have played a role in the growth of our endowments and may be available to match further gifts.

The Newman Center for the Performing Arts Endowment was created in 2006 and has, since its inception, received lead funding from the Lewis D. & John J. Gilbert Foundation, the John J. and Margaret R. Gilbert Foundation, The Clinton Family Fund, and Margot Gilbert Frank. Its purpose is to provide funding for special programs and long-term or major needs at the Newman Center, including building repairs and upgrades, maintenance, and equipment purchases. All earnings of this building Endowment are re-invested and will continue to grow until such time as an appropriate need arises. Withdrawals from the Newman Center Endowment may only be made from spendable income and only with the approval of the Executive Director of the Newman Center and the Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs. Our goal is to fund the Newman Center Endowment with at least $5 million. The market value of the Endowment as of June 30, 2015, was $864,950, though University Advancement notified the Newman Center that the University will be withdrawing certain matching funds previously deposited in the Endowment due to the University’s agreement to accept a donor’s rescission of a planned gift, reducing that balance in future accountings.

The Newman Center Fund for Experiential and Cultural Learning was established by Beverlee Henry and Hon. Robert Fullerton in 2011 in order to support Newman Center Presents educational activities. As of June 30, 2015, the market value of the Learning Endowment was $54,164.

The Grynberg Family Endowment for Dance Programming was created in 2012 to support Newman Center Presents dance programming. As of June 30, 2015, the market value of the Grynberg Family Endowment was $571,545.

The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado Endowment for Diverse and Innovative Music was created in 2013 to support Newman Center Presents alternative music programming. As of June 30, 2015, the market value of the Gay & Lesbian Fund Endowment was $56,405.

The Porter Adventist Hospital Endowment for the Performing Arts was created in 2013 to support Newman Center Presents programming. As of June 30, 2015, the market value of the Porter Endowment was $54,405.

In addition, the Newman Center annually transfers funds into a Renewal and Replacement account that can be drawn upon when needed for regular maintenance, repair, and upgrades. As of June 30, 2015, the balance in the Renewal and Replacement account was $501,373. Finally, the Newman Center maintains a Special Opportunities Fund that accepts gifts for special projects and with the support of which unique opportunities can be pursued. As of June 30, 2015, the balance in that Fund was $129,035.