tdf annual report 2013

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 organiza-tion dedicated to serving the entire spectrum of the performing arts with pro-grams that touch the lives of millions of New Yorkers and visitors each year.

Created in 1968 by a dedicated group of theatre professionals, TDF has developed ground-breaking programs to encour-age and support the production of new artistic works, ensure the availability of affordable tickets to millions of theatre-goers 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.

Behind the scenes, TDF has created and maintains a diverse roster of programs that pro-vides audiences for virtually every theatre and dance pro-duction 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 attend-ance for theatre and dance, TDF has taken the lead in new audience development programs that make theatre-going 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.

tdf Welcome

2

TDF

WE

LCO

ME

“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 Fund520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 801

New York, NY 10018-6507Phone (212) 912-9770

Fax (212) 768-1563Twitter@TDFNYC

Facebook.com/TheatreDevelopmentFundTDF.org tdf

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTSChairman and Executive Director’s Letter 3

TDF Donors 4

TDF Membership/Theatre and DanceSubsidy Programs 7

TKTS Discount Booths 8

TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP) 9

TDF Education Programs 10

TDF Costume Collection 12

Audience Development Initiatives 13

TDF Honors 14

TDF Gala 14

TDF Board of Trustees and Staff 15


Facebook.com/TheatreDevelopmentFund

TDF.org

tdf Letter from the Chairman and Executive Director

tdf

Dear Friends of TDF:

TDF’s 45th year was one of celebration and challenge. We celebrated the 40th Anniver-sary 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 Shu-bert 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 chal-lenges 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 per-forming arts productions and created an appetite for theatre in thousands of first-time the-atregoers. That work continued throughout the year.

Our Autism Theatre Initia-tive, 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 Hous-ton, San Diego, Dublin, and London invited us to consult with them—helping them develop their own programs—which we happily did.

We continue to hear from New Yorkers all over the city that without their TDF member-ships 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 pro-grams are provided at no cost to the schools or the students. Our programs are increasingly interrelated, allowing students sequential learning opportuni-ties 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 maga-zine, TDF Stages, continued to expand editorially with the launch of an online theatre dic-tionary 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 three-year plan with the following goals:

• Make TDF central to the creation of a vibrant, passion-ate, 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 organi-zations striving to diversify, build, and strengthen their audiences; and

• Strengthen our internal ca-pacity to position ourselves to be more adaptive in an ever changing environment.

These are ambi-tious goals; we will achieve them only with continued hard work and with the continued support and encouragement of our funders, con-stituents, 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

LETT

ER

3


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


TDF.org

tdf Donors

4

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

Corporate, Foundation, and Government Donors

$100,000 and aboveBloomberg Philanthropies*City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs*New York State Council on the Arts*Stavros Niarchos Foundation*$50,000–$99,999Fund for the City of New York/ NYC Recovery ProgramThe Pinkerton FoundationThe Shubert Foundation, Inc.$25,000–$49,999Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund—General Fund, Bank of America, N.A., TrusteeHelene Berger FoundationThe FAR FundThe Flom Family FoundationLaurence W. Levine Foundation, Inc.MetLife FoundationNational Endowment for the ArtsSAP$10,000–$24,999The Walt Disney Company Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for AutismHarry S. Black and Allon Fuller FundCon Edison

Home Box OfficeThe Rona Jaffe FoundationNew York City Council Member Lewis A. FidlerRobert Rauschenberg FoundationThe Schafer Family FoundationAdolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc.Sony Corporation of AmericaTime Warner, Inc.’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery FundThe Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund$5,000–$9,999Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Inc.The Bay and Paul FoundationsThe Bulova Stetson FundContinental Grain FoundationMcGraw Hill FinancialNew York City Department of EducationThe Henry Nias FoundationThe Blanche & Irving Laurie FoundationThe Rudin FoundationMorris and Alma Schapiro FoundationSeventh District FoundationSherwood 48 Associates$2,500–$4,999The Cottonwood FoundationHerman Goldman FoundationEdith Meiser FoundationSerino Coyne, Inc.Xerox Foundation$500–$2,499Hildegarde D. Becher FoundationCAA FoundationCentury DirectThe Dramatists Guild Fund, Inc.Friars National Association Foundation

Hearing Loss Association of America—Manhattan ChapterLutz and Carr

*denotes a multi-year grant

Individual Donors

$10,000 and aboveClover BergmannWendy Davies and Walter C. Johnsen*Robert Fried and Karen Kowgios*Meg Herrman*David and Andrea Holbrook*Sheila and Bill LambertPia Lindström and Jack Carley*Hector R. Lozada and Norman C. Simon*Gwen Marcus and Nancy Alpert*Marc PlattHazel Roy TrustBellanca Smigel RutterThomas SchumacherEileen S. Silvers and Richard Bronstein*Earl D. and Gina Ingoglia Weiner*$5,000–$9,999Virginia BrodyAnna E. CrouseChris and Don W. Harrell*Indigo Theatre ProjectSandra Kresch and Sam Hagler*Gail and Alan Levenstein*Joseph R. MantelloRuth Sarfaty and Jeffrey Miller*$2,500–$4,999Sharon and Noel FrankelJudith and Robert T. Goldman*Mariet HamrahIrene MecchiSarah Saltzberg

$1,000–$2,499Curtis BehrentAl BerrPeter BrownAmy Chin and James Lo*Sharon Dunn and Harvey Zirofsky*Bettye R. FletcherJoseph GiraldiJoseph GordonThe Jane FundTom Melcher and Sharon RuwartF. Richard PappasD. Kenneth Patton*Charles L. ReinhartMartha and Robert SolimineNancy SooHoo-MirandaGayle and Jerry StoneJohn SuiMary TreacySusan and Charles TribbittThe Winter Family FundEdward N. Wolff$500–$999Oliver BaerHilton M. Bailey, Jr.In Memory of Annabelle BaruchBarrington L. BranchChristopher BullockPhilip BurfordNicholas CantalupoRobert DonnalleyBarbara W. FileMary GeissmanGordon and Mary GouldMerrill G. and Emita E. Hastings FoundationFredda HarrisRoy HarrisRoger K. Long and Debra HazelwoodSarah L. HenryDaphne T. HsuPeter IrwinPaulette and F. William Kaufmann

Phyllis Jo KubeyRobert S. LevinsonElaine MarksonElizabeth and Mark MindlinL. Michael NewmanHal PrinceTrenton L. RhotonLinda ShapiroStacey Skordas$250–$499AnonymousVictoria BaileyTimothy BevelacquaPeggy BlackfordRichard CorryKatherine Restaino DickNina DougarArlene EsgarAndrea GalenoJames J. GallagherMelissa GibbsLisa GoldbergClive GoodwinBarbara GottliebGeorge Haase

TDF

DO

NO

RS

Bernadette Peters performing at TDF’s 2013 Spring Gala


tdf Donors

5

TDF

DO

NO

RS

$250–$499 (continued) Jeananne K. Hauswald and William B. HarrisMark HochbergLawrence KongNathaniel KramerMarilyn KupchoRichard LeeSusan LeungSarah MagniLauren ManningEleanor and Kent MartinAlice and Alan ModelNamerow Family FoundationLaura OdellPenny Peters*Zelie D. and Carl A. PforzheimerAlyse ReiffmanNancy RockerCaryn Rosenberg Carmen RossRegina and Dennis SantellaMichael SantulliGary SheltonStephen SondheimElise SosenkoJeanne StellmanKerry SullivanMarjorie and Bernard SunshineGlennda TestoneAnita VerbekeRoberta WailesDeborah WallaceSheila Wyse

We applaud all of the indivi-duals 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 MackintoshNederlander OrganizationThe Shubert Organization, Inc.Earl D. and Gina Ingoglia WeinerBenefactorsBob BoyettJujamcyn TheatersPatronsBroadway Across America Broadway.comBroadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDSThe Broadway LeagueThe City University of New York (CUNY)Wendy Davies and Walter C. JohnsenDisney Theatrical ProductionsTed Hartley & RKO Stage Productions, Jane Bergère and Anita WaxmanMeg HerrmanDavid and Andrea HolbrookPia Lindström and Jack CarleyHector R. Lozada and Norman C. Simon

Gwen Marcus and Nancy AlpertNewmark Knight FrankShowtime Networks Inc. / CBS CorporationStuart ThompsonTreasurers & Ticket Sellers Union Local 751, I. A.T. S. E.Committee MembersAnonymousHelene BergerIlene BergerAmy Chin and James LoDenham WolfBecky Diamond and Jamie StecherSharon Dunn and Harvey ZirofskyRobert Fried and Karen KowigosSarah GalbraithNancy Nagel GibbsRobert T. and Judith GoldmanDon W. and Chris HarrellDeborah HartnettTom Kasulka and Barbara von BorstelSandra Kresch and Samuel HaglerI. A. T. S. E.Kaufman Astoria StudiosKipany Productions, LTDGail and Alan LevensteinChase MishkinRuth Sarfaty and Jeffrey MillerElaine SargentSerino/CoyneSignature BankEileen S. Silvers and Richard BronsteinTimes Square AlliancePremiere TicketsAnonymousSharon EllmanBarbara H. FreitagMelissa M. GibbsFredda HarrisD. Kenneth Patton

Supporter TicketsThe Actors FundBeth ChapinSuzanne and Edward DaviesCarol GertzJulia and Steven GuggenheimerTom KirdahyDara LambBarbara LigetiTom Melcher and Sharon RuwartCarolyn MichasDeborah Hicks Midanek and Coley BaileyMemphis the MusicalThe Rodgers and Hammerstein OrganizationWinzer CleanersGala Contributors*Jody and John ArnholdThe Asen FundPeter and Helen HajeJane Harmon AssociatesKenneth F. KoenSpark Public RelationsAmy StursbergJournal Advertisements**Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDSRobert ColeDodger PropertiesForesight TheatricalFreida and Roy FurmanLincoln Center TheaterChase MishkinMusic Theatre InternationalPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonJeffrey Richards and Jerry FrankelJeffrey SamuelsStage Entertainment USAThe Broadway CompanyThe Off-Broadway LeagueFran 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 PettyProducing Director La MaMa E.T.C.


#3

tdf Donors

6

TDF

DO

NO

RS

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 SponsorThe Tobin Theatre Arts Fund$1,000–$5,000Bespoke Theatricals / Nina LannanDean BrownKitty Leech and Scott GalliherThe Rolfe Company, Inc.United Scenic Artists Local 829

$500–$999Costume Armour, Inc.Gail Cooper-HechtPaul Huntley EnterprisesJohn Kristiansen New York Inc.Wallace G. Lane, Jr.Donna Langman CostumesMichael J. StantonTricorne, LLCMary H. WhiteEric Winterling, Inc.$200–$499Campbell BairdCarl BaldassoCarolyn and Charles BonheurAlyce Gilbert BriggsStephen Cabral and Brendan ByrnesMolly CampbellCirca Early HalloweenBarbara S. CokorinosPaul ConwayIlya Fatakhov / Arel Studio, Inc.Cynthia Parker FryeDaniel GeolyJess GoldsteinJoseph GordonGordon and Mary Gould

Susan Hilferty and David SteinMichael HotoppCaroline and Edward HymanHolly Hynes and Jim ZulakisFrank R. LopezNelle Nugent / Foxboro EntertainmentPenn and Fletcher, Inc.Gregory A. Poplyk and Patrick WileyHelene ShamashHelen 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.

FRIENDS OF TDFSince 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, ChairFredda HarrisMarsha KaplanGilda SchneiderCommittee MembersPeggy ChaneAnne FrankelMelissa GibbsMary GouldMarilyn GrosswirthSimone KaplanPhyllis KleinJoan Pearlman Nancy RubingerBarbara Williams-HenryJane Zucker

“A connection with TDF has assisted us to improve internal organization manage-ment, connect more effectively with our arts community, and expand our membership base. Through their leadership and innova-tive thinking, TDF has provided mentorship and inspiration that has led to increased success and sustainability.”—Marcy Hoen, Executive Director, Austin Creative Alliance

“ 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.


TDF serves a membership of over 90,000 eligible the-atre 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.

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.

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 Selec-tion 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 Off-Off@$9, a program whereby TDF members may purchase tickets to these smaller productions for only $9 each. TDF pays these produc-tions 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 rev-enue stream for dozens of estab-lished and emerging not-for-profit dance companies each year.

tdf Membership/Theatre and Dance Subsidy Programs

7

TDF

ME

MB

ER

SH

IP/T

HE

ATR

E A

ND

DA

NC

E S

UB

SID

Y P

RO

GR

AM

S

“ 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. CaplesExecutive Director Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

“ 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

“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-of-mouth’ necessary to the success of any show.”—Amy Jacobs General Manager Bespoke Theatricals

MEMBERSHIP: THE FACTS

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


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



TDF’s TKTS Discount Booth, “under the red steps” in the heart of Times Square, con-tinued to be a gateway for theatregoers attending their first Broadway or Off Broad-way 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 Wednes-day, 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 Chair-man 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 New York Stock Exchange in honor of the special occa-sion. The next day, TDF had a celebration at TKTS “under the red steps” with Broadway stars Harvey Fierstein and Julie Halston hosting. There, Harvey accepted a Proclamation from the City of New York from

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 smart-phones 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

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 down-town as TKTS lost its pres-ence 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 opera-tional 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

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

tdf TKTS Discount Booths

8

TDF

TKTS

DIS

CO

UN

T B

OO

THS

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

TKTS BOOTHS: THE FACTS

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


Productions sold: 230 (74 Broadway, 152 Off Broadway, 2 Dance, 2 Music)

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

“ I work in Times Square but live in Brooklyn and love using TKTS in Downtown Brooklyn. There’s rarely a wait and I get to see more theatre!”—Susan Guinn Brooklyn, NY


tdf Accessibility Programs (TAP)

9

TDF

AC

CE

SS

IBIL

ITY

PR

OG

RA

MS

(TA

P)

TDF Accessibility Programs, also known as TAP, is Theatre Development Fund’s invita-tion to the performing arts for people with physical disabili-ties, as well as individuals on the autism spectrum. TAP arranges for special discount tickets for orchestra seating to be made available to theatre-goers who are hard of hear-ing or deaf, partially sighted, blind, require aisle seating for medical reasons, use wheel-chairs, or cannot climb stairs. For children and adults on the autism spectrum and their ac-companying 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 autism-friendly 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 spec-trum disorder (ASD) or other sensitivity issues. TAP also advised the Disney London of-fice for its first autism-friendly performance of The Lion King in the West End, April 14, 2013.

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

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.

National Open Captioning Initiative (NOCI)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 differ-ent venues in 19 different states.

Access for Young AudiencesAccess 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 theatre-goers 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 PlusIn partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), TDF is strengthen-ing its commitment to increase accessibility for people with hearing loss through the re-granting program TAP Plus. This program provides funding for open captioning services to eligible cultural organizations throughout New York State.

TAP: THE FACTS

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 partici-pating schools

TAP Plus: 12 organizations re-ceived 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); Step-penwolf Theatre Co. (Chicago, IL); Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)

Open captioned performance of the Broadway production of Once

Autism Theatre Initiative performance of Disney’s The Lion King

“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 SachsBrooklyn, NY

Letter | Donors | Membership & Subsidy Programs | TKTS Discount Booths | TAP | Education Programs | Costume Collection | Audience Development Initiatives | Honors | Gala | Board of Trustees & Staff Letter | Donors | Membership & Subsidy Programs | TKTS Discount Booths | TAP | Education Programs | Costume Collection | Audience Development Initiatives | Honors | Gala | Board of Trustees & Staff

TDF believes that future audi-ences are built by engaging students first-hand in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process as well as by providing opportunities to at-tend live performances of great art. During the 2012-13 fiscal year, TDF’s in-depth arts edu-cation 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 introduc-tion 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 of-fered at no cost to the schools.

Residency Program (RP) is TDF’s intensive playwrit-ing and theatre program,

which integrates the craft of playwriting, musical theatre, and movement into the NYC public high school curriculum. Through extensive collabora-tion, a TDF teaching artist and partnering classroom teacher develop a tailored curriculum, with 12 workshops per semes-ter and professional produc-tions 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 presen-tation of original student work be it songs, plays, dance, or visual art, at their school.

Summer Playwriting Inten-sive (SPI) provides select grad-uates of TDF’s RP playwriting program the opportunity to engage in a two-week summer

intensive workshop, attend two plays on or Off Broadway and interview professional play-wrights. 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 perfor-mances, 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, play-wright 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 stu-dents 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 Dan-iele, Scott Ellis, Joe DiPietro, Alan Eisenberg, Peter Fried-man & Caitlin O’Connell,

tdf Education Programs

10

TDF

ED

UC

ATIO

N P

RO

GR

AM

S

CUNY students at a production process talk with playwrights Dominique Morisseau and Eduardo MachadoDance Project students having just attended ABTRP graduates after having their plays performed at The Snapple Theatre

“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


“ I stand in front of you today a person 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 ScholarTalent Unlimited H.S., Senior

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

STAGE DOORS: THE FACTSNumber of participating students: 5,250

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

OPEN DOORS: THE FACTSNumber of participating students: 184


RP: THE FACTSNumber of participating students: 750


Shows attended by students: Dance of the Railroad, Water by the Spoonful, The Madrid, The Piano Lesson, Detroit 67, The Trip to Bountiful

11

TDF

ED

UC

ATIO

N P

RO

GR

AM

S

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

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 audi-ence, 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 ad-vantage 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.

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

Stage Doors students at a performance of Peter and the Starcatcher


pxp.tdf.org

Theatre Development Fund’s Costume Collection provides costume rental of professionally designed costumes to organi-zations nationwide. Based on a sliding scale, the reasonable rental rates not only allow fledg-ling companies to mount more professional-looking shows but also help organizations to pro-duce a greater number of new works by keeping production costs down. Performing arts companies, colleges and univer-sities, 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 Collec-tion houses more than 80,000 costumes and accessories con-tributed 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,

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Fences, the New York Philhar-monic 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 Theatre-works USA, RWS and Associ-ates, 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.

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 soon-to-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.

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

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 Theatri-cal 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

tdf Costume Collection

12

TDF COSTUME COLLECTION: THE FACTS

Theatre productions Number of organizations served: 417 (261 performing arts organizations, 113 universi-ties and colleges, 43 secondary schools)

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

CO

STU

ME

CO

LLE

CTI

ON

“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 SupervisorAmerican Academy of Dramatic Arts

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

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

Staff of TDF Costume Collection


tdf Audience Development Initiatives

13

TDF

AU

DIE

NC

E D

EV

ELO

PM

EN

T IN

ITIA

TIV

ES

BEAT (Bridging Education and Theatre) TDF enjoyed the third year of its partnership with CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university. The program is called BEAT (Bridging Educa-tion 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 com-munity of students and faculty. Since 80 percent of CUNY students remain in New York City after graduation, this part-nership 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 educat-ing 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, educa-tion, 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 popu-lar destination for theatregoers, it attracts over 6 million visitors each month. Editorial content, fully searchable show listings, information about ticket avail-ability and purchasing proce-dures, as well as accessibility in-formation 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—in-cluding features, videos, Q&As, profiles, and slide shows—and this year, the magazine has ex-panded its reach with a weekly, personalized newsletter from editor Mark Blankenship. Sent to both TDF members and gen-eral 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 conver-sations. Currently, the news-letter—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 mem-ber 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 Diction-ary 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 underrepre-sented 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 op-portunity to attend two produc-tions 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 AudienceTDF is on the Project Audi-ence 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 in-formation about cultural activi-ties among audience members, artists, and arts organizations.

The goal is to provide commu-nities with access to easy-to-use, low-cost, web-based tools and technologies that will increase arts and culture attendance and enhance the visitor experi-ence. Recently completed was a 12-month pilot project in Southern California during which Project Audience built and tested a toolkit for gather-ing and publishing event infor-mation 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 audi-ences 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 cul-tural event information.


TDF.org

TDF.org

TDF.org

Playbill.com

Playbill.com

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 De-velopment 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 public-private partnerships that sus-tain 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 spe-cial Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre.

This season, TDF was awarded twice more. First, on Sep-tember 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

service, support and leadership. Over the years, through TDF Vouchers, and most recently with TDF’s very popular Off-Off@$9 Program, TDF has introduced hundreds of thou-sands of theatregoers to Off-Off Broadway theatres and produc-tions 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/play-wright Ruben Santiago-Hudson at the awards ceremony on May 5, 2013 at NYU’s Skirball Center.

In celebration of the 40th Anniver-sary 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 enter-tained with a special performance hosted by playwright Douglas Cart-er Beane, and special appearances by Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Zoe Caldwell, and the cast of Forbidden Broadway.

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.

tdf Honors tdf Gala

14

TDF

HO

NO

RS

AN

D G

ALA

Victoria Bailey accepts Lortel Award on behalf of TDF

Shubert Organization President, Philip J. Smith with Bernadette Peters, Douglas Carter Beane, and the cast of Forbidden Broadway

4-time Tony Award winner Zoe Caldwell enthralls the audience

The cast of Forbidden Broadway performs special material written by Gerard Alessandrini in honor of TKTS’s 40th Anniversary


tdf Board of Trustees and Staff

15

TDF

BO

AR

D O

F TR

US

TEE

S A

ND

STA

FF

TDF BOARD

Officers

Earl D. WeinerChairmanSandra KreschVice ChairmanRobert T. GoldmanTreasurerDeborah HartnettSecretary

TrusteesVictoria BaileyClover BergmannAmy ChinWendy DaviesSharon DunnBettye R. FletcherRobert FriedJoseph GiraldiDon HarrellMeg HerrmanDavid D. HolbrookGail LevensteinPia LindströmHector LozadaGwen MarcusD. Kenneth PattonPenny PetersCharles L. ReinhartRuth SarfatyEileen S. SilversDonna WilliamsEdward N. Wolff

Chairmen EmeritiGeorge BackerStephen Benedict John E. BoothJohn F. BreglioAnna E. Crouse August HeckscherDavid D. HolbrookLloyd RichardsEdwin Wilson

Founding TrusteesStephen BenedictJohn E. BoothAugust HeckscherStuart W. LittleJohn F. Wharton

TDF STAFF

Victoria BaileyExecutive DirectorMichael NaumannManaging DirectorStephen CabralDirector of TDF CostumeCollectionLisa CarlingDirector of TDF AccessibilityPrograms (TAP)William CastellanoTKTS Head TreasurerJulian ChristenberryDirector of National Servicesand Ticket ProgramsJoy CooperDirector of Development

David LeShayDirector of CommunicationsDaniel RennerDirector of EducationDoug SmithDirector of Web ServicesEric SobelDirector of FinanceTymand StaggsMIS Director

Thomas AdkinsVictoria AlvarezSarah AzizStephen BanovichDonald BealePatrick BergerMark BlankenshipAngel BlasiniMichael BufferJoseph Cali Jonathan CalindasJohn CinelliFred CollayGeorge ConnollyLaura DelbertJoAnn GallRobert GoreJoanne HaasJoseph HawsCraig HennigerTony HeronJoyce HindsJennifer HurlburtTina KirsimaeNesly LaFontantPierre LaFontant

Nicole LaPeneDarryl LoveRonnie MarchHoward MarrenShirley MartignettiAnn MathiesonErica McLaughlinMichael McCarthyGinger MeagherChristophe MentorCostas MichalopoulosOleg MishchenkoRobert NeelyDenyse OwensBarbara PalmeriJohn PalumboJane PfefferFrances PolinoSalvatore PolizziRichard PriceAnn Ramirez

Christopher ReichheldEve RodriguezBrian RoederWilliam RoederMark RunionCheryl SchoonmakerRajesh SharmaJohn SheehanMichele St. HillCatherine St. Jean Craig StekeurCharles Stuis, Jr.Allison TaylorPaula TorresThomas WestermanJulie WilliamsMichael Yaccarino

TDF staff


520 Eighth Avenue Suite 801New York, NY 10018-6507Phone (212) 912-9770 Fax (212) 768-1563

[email protected]/TheatreDevelopmentFundTDF.orgtdf Theatre

Development Fund

20

12

-20

13

AN

NU

AL

RE

PO

RT

T

DF


Facebook.com/TheatreDevelopmentFund

TDF.org

tdf annual report 2013

Documents

tdf education programs

tdf accessibility programs

millions of theatre

live theatre

future of theatre

tdf donors

tdf honors

tdf gala