Fall 2015, Issue No. 8

IN THE ROUND
A VIEW OF ARENA STAGE FROM ALL SIDES
EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS-ONLY NEWSLETTER FALL 2015
No. 8
Fifth Annual Military Thanksgiving | November 2015
The cast of Dear Evan Hansen | July 2015
The cast and creative team of Oliver! after the Opening Night performance. Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End | October 2015
NOTES FROM MOLLY AND EDGAR
Arena Stage at the Mead Center
for American Theater is a national
center dedicated to American
voices and artists. We produce
plays of all that is passionate,
profound, deep and dangerous in
the American spirit, and we present
diverse and groundbreaking work from some of
the best artists around the country. I’m thrilled
with the collection of unique and innovative work
that will be presented on our stages this season.
We are proud of the diverse and dynamic
experiences that our 66th season offers. Dear
Evan Hansen explored the world of adolescence
as it has been redefined by technology and
social media. Karen Zacarías brought the
world of the telenovela to the stage, and her
Destiny of Desire, along with Margaret Engel
and Allison Engel’s Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End,
celebrated the female playwright as part of the
citywide Women’s Voices Theater Festival. It is
so gratifying to honor on such a grand scale
the talents of these women who are creating
powerful theater in our nation’s capital.
I cannot thank you enough for your support as
we strive to continue providing you with inspiring
stories and productions of the highest quality. It
is because of you that Arena is able to celebrate
these American voices year after year.
All best,
Molly Smith, Artistic Director
1...
TABLE OF CONTENTS
We opened the season at Arena
Stage with three world-premiere
productions, continuing our tradition
of supporting new ventures. It is a
privilege to be instrumental in the
development of brand-new work,
and it is made possible because of
committed supporters like you.
1 NOTES FROM MOLLY
AND EDGAR
2
2015/16 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS
3
VOICES OF NOW
CROATIA
We are so proud of the success of Dear Evan
Hansen, which after concluding a phenomenal
run here at the Mead Center will continue
on to Second Stage Theatre in New York. We
were also a proud participant in the Women’s
Voices Theater Festival, which has taken a vital
position in changing the playing field for female
playwrights around the country. It is through
your generosity that Arena can take on big, risky
projects such as Dear Evan Hansen and support
important new work from playwrights like Karen
Zacarías, Allison Engel and Margaret Engel. Each
contribution you make strengthens our potential
to bring a new piece of theater to life, and we
are grateful for the opportunity to challenge
ourselves and push Arena’s capacity in new ways.
4
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
GEORGE AND DUFFY
FTIKAS
5
INSIDE ERMA BOMBECK
WITH BARBARA
CHISHOLM
I thank you for your faith in us and for your
continuing support. Arena produces daring and
evocative new work, as well as American classics,
which, after all, were all once “new” before they
became prized members of the American canon!
11 BACKSTAGE AT ARENA
Thank you,
6
ARENA’S RESIDENT
PLAYWRIGHTS
7-8 CELEBRATING OLIVER!
OPENING NIGHT
9-10 STAFF INTERVIEW WITH
THE LITERARY MANAGER
12 66TH SEASON OPENING
NIGHTS
13 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
14
DEVELOPMENT STAFF
DIRECTORY | BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
Edgar Dobie, Executive Producer
Spotlight on
Connect with Arena
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Set the Scene by supporting the
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AROUND ARENA: A GLIMPSE OF THE 2015/16 SEASON
Laura Dreyfuss and Ben Platt
originated the roles of Zoe and Evan
in the world-premiere musical Dear
Evan Hansen; the role of Evan was
written with Ben in mind.
Photo by Margot Schulman
Executive Producer Edgar Dobie
and Artistic Director Molly Smith are
joined by Playwrights Margaret Engel
and Allison Engel at the opening of
their one-woman play Erma Bombeck:
At Wit’s End.
The cast of Destiny of Desire filled
the stage with song and dance,
captivating audience members with
their infectious energy throughout
the performance.
Photo by C. Stanley Photography
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Director José Luis Valenzuela and
Playwright Karen Zacarías celebrate
the opening of Destiny of Desire, a
night filled with music and laughter.
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Cheryl L. West’s Akeelah and the Bee
allows Arena to welcome plenty of
young actors to the Kreeger Theater.
These talented performers impress with
their acting — and spelling — skills.
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen
spoke at the beginning of the sixth D.C.
Career Fair hosted at the Mead Center
for American Theater. Over 300 people
attended to receive personalized
professional development.
Photo courtesy of Arena Stage
Leaders and playwrights from the
Women’s Voices Theater Festival
gathered at the Mead Center to
celebrate the citywide movement
to encourage and recognize female
playwrights.
Set Designer Daniel Conway created
a home within the walls of the Kogod
Cradle for Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s
End, inviting the audience to share in
Erma’s story.
Photo by C. Stanley Photography
Photo by Scott Suchman
In October, Artistic Director Molly Smith received the Mayor’s Arts Award for Impact on Culture and Humanities,
the first of its kind and one of the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on leaders in the arts.
2
VOICES OF NOW INTERNATIONAL: BENEATH THE SURFACE
Ben Platt Visits
Arena Stage Academy
Each summer, Arena Stage
Academy offers the Musical
Theater Training Company, a
two-week program for highschool students who are serious
about honing their skills in
singing, acting and dancing.
They receive instruction from
experts in the field, and the
program culminates in a final
showcase attended by members
of the Arena Stage artistic
team. This summer, the Musical
Theater Training Company
was joined by Ben Platt and
Laura Dreyfuss, stars of Arena
Stage’s Dear Evan Hansen. The
opportunity to meet seasoned
performers who know what
it takes to build a successful
career in musical theater was a
highlight of the training that the
students received.
3...
Through a fully-funded
partnership with the U.S.
Embassies in Croatia and
Slovenia, Arena Stage had
the opportunity to send
three Voices of Now teaching
artists to Zagreb, Croatia
this September. Students
from Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia,
The performers enact a fight on a public
bus through theatrical movement.
Macedonia and Slovenia joined
forces to create an original play
entitled Beneath the Surface.
By sharing their personal
experiences in a safe and
judgement-free environment,
the students turned stories of
conflict and boundaries into
artistic expression.
This is the fifth international
project Voices of Now has
embarked upon since 2012. In
Washington, D.C., the Voices of
Now ensembles use movementbased theater to raise socially
relevant questions and to tell
the stories of the ensemble
members. The very same tools
are used in the Voices of Now
international projects to explore
social issues and promote
healthy dialogue among young
people. The 2015 project in
Croatia focused on issues of
nationality, religion and culture,
topics that are in the news every
day. The students participated
in workshops for six to eight
hours a day, during which they
explored their own personal
stories and also stepped into
other people’s shoes, validating
their diverse perspectives.
After seven days of preparation,
the Voices of Now ensemble
in Croatia presented Beneath
the Surface to an audience
and conducted a postshow conversation with the
audience members. Through
their theatrical piece and
their discussion, the students
explained the lessons they
learned and the conclusions
they drew from their experience
with Voices of Now: that
understanding is not the same
as agreeing, and people from
different backgrounds can work
together well when united
by a common goal. The students
also had the opportunity to
meet past participants from
the initial Voices of Now trip to
Croatia in 2013, building a larger
community of artists dedicated
to creating positive change.
Voices of Now Croatia ensemble members
line up to perform Beneath the Surface.
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GEORGE AND DUFFY FTIKAS
LIFELONG ARTS ENTHUSIASTS
George and
Duffy Ftikas
joined the Arena
family decades
ago. They’ve
gone from
subscribers, to
donors, to show sponsors, supporting
this season’s Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End.
They took the time to share their story
with Arena Stage’s Melanie Heredia.
MELANIE HEREDIA:
MELANIE HEREDIA: You’ve been part
of the Arena Stage family for a
long time. What brought you to
Arena initially?
GEORGE FTIKAS: When I first came
to this country, it was 1959, and
there was an Arena back then.
I was here for about a year
and a half, and I went to Arena.
Then decades passed. I moved
away, went to Connecticut
and New Jersey, and then I
retired in Washington. When I
did that, I remembered Arena.
I remembered that it was
something I enjoyed back in
1959, and it was something I
would like to experience again
in 1987. So after so many years,
I started going back to Arena,
and then we got hooked.
MH: And is that when you
introduced Duffy to Arena?
DUFFY FTIKAS: Yes, when we
DF: We’ve believed in the arts all
our lives. We support drama and
theater and music; we attend all
kinds of art events.
GF: I came from Greece, and that’s
aspect of Arena?
where theater was invented.
When I was a kid I liked the
arts of all kinds, and back then,
unfortunately, I wasn’t able to
afford anything. To the extent that
I could, I would find some money
to go buy tickets to the theater.
GF: The theater in-the-round. When
DF: My interest in the theater
moved down here we became
subscribers, and we’ve been
subscribers ever since.
MH: Do you have a favorite
we were in New Jersey we used
to go to New York for theater, and
there was one theater there that
was in-the-round. But Arena is
doing it better.
MH: You sponsored Erma
Bombeck: At Wit’s End, which
is part of the Women’s Voices
Theater Festival. Why do you
think it’s important for Arena to
be leading and participating in
this effort to showcase female
playwrights?
GF: It’s important to everybody;
it’s a national movement.
Everybody is cheering for the
women after a long time.
MH: Why do you feel strongly
about supporting the arts?
started when I was eight years
old. We listened to a radio
program called First Nighter.
That was theater on the radio.
Mr. First Nighter took a seat in
the theater, opened his program,
and the play began. And that’s
where the excitement of the
theater began for me.
MH: And you’ve stayed excited
about it now for your whole
life! What do you feel you’ve
received back after giving so
much to the arts?
DF: A lot of pleasure.
GF: I think we’re more than
rewarded for what we’ve done.
MH: Thank you so much! It was a
pleasure to talk to you.
SPOTLIGHT ON
THE THEODORE H.
BARTH FOUNDATION
Arena Stage is proud to highlight the
substantial philanthropic work of The
Theodore H. Barth Foundation, an
Arena Stage supporter since 2007.
Led by Ellen Berelson and Arena Stage
Trustee Larry Franks, The Foundation
supports artistic and educational
organizations, as well as those serving
children and youth. Says Mr. Franks,
“We are gratified that supporting Arena
Stage enables us to ‘follow our passion’
for contributing to the building of a
civil society. Arena Stage productions
bring together all segments of our
disparate community in a public forum
that engages everyone in a profound
theater experience. Arena Stage’s
community engagement programs
enrich the lives of thousands of young
people who represent the future of our
community. We’re delighted to join with
other donors who value Arena Stage as
a cornerstone of our civic identity.”
Arena thanks The Theodore H. Barth
Foundation for their commitment to
the arts and to strengthening our
shared community!
When George Ftikas moved to Washington, D.C. in 1959, Arena’s season included its very first world-premiere
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play: Clandestine on the Morning Line, written by American playwright Josh Greenfield.
4
BARBARA CHISHOLM ON THE MAGIC OF THEATER
THE STAR OF ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END SHARES HER PASSION FOR THE STAGE
MELANIE HEREDIA: You saw your first professional show
at Arena. Can you tell me about that?
BARBARA CHISHOLM: I must have been in second or
third grade. It was, of course, in the Fichandler, and
I remember being not so much captivated by the
story but captivated by theater. I don’t think my
back ever hit the seat the whole play. It was magic
to me. It changed my life. I just thought, “More.
More please.”
MH: What have you found to be particularly unique
or exciting about the theatrical culture in D.C.?
BC: I’ve been wildly impressed with how vibrant
the scene is. It’s so rich, and the Women’s
Voices Theater Festival is a game changer
for the country. I hope in five years we’ll go,
“Looking back, it really all started there.”
We’ve been talking about gender disparity for
a while, but for Molly to get together with her
colleagues and for them to walk away from the
table saying, “This is what we’re going to do,”
is extraordinary. I’m so proud of everyone here
and so honored that I got to be a part of it.
MH: You’ve done both stage and film work.
What is your favorite thing about theater that is
unique to this mode of performance?
BC: One hundred percent, hands down, a live
audience. Particularly in a solo show, but in all
5...
shows, that’s your other partner; in my case it’s my
scene partner. Performing a whole play with lights
and everything, and nobody in the house – it’s like
a tree falling in the woods. It’s not really a play until
you get people there, and that’s what breathes
life into it. That’s where we’re having a shared
experience. Energy is passing back and forth;
there’s nothing like it.
MH: Do you have a favorite Erma-ism?
BC: I would have to say: “When I stood before God at
the end of my life, I didn’t want to have a single bit
of energy or talent left. I looked forward to saying,
‘I used everything you gave me.’”
Barbara Chisholm as Erma in Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End.
Photo by C. Stanley Photography
SPOTLIGHT ON THE U.S. COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
Arena Stage proudly recognizes the U.S.
Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital
Arts and Cultural Affairs program for its support
of artistic and cultural institutions in the District
of Columbia since the late 1980s. Last year, the
NCACA program provided a total of $2,000,000
in grant support to not-for-profit institutions that
have been leaders in the D.C. arts community for
the past decade. From theater, to visual art, to
ballet and more, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
encourages organizations that are bringing art
to D.C. audiences by providing federal support
where other organizations across the country
may receive state arts council funding. Says
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Secretary Thomas
Luebke, “We are glad to be able to administer
this arts program to the many high-quality arts
institutions in Washington, D.C., such as Arena
Stage. The NCACA program has worked for
almost 30 years to help establish, cultivate, and
grow significant arts organizations in this city.”
Arena is incredibly grateful for the support it
has received from the NCACA program, which
has allowed the theater to sustain and grow its
artistic programming.
The team behind Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End – Barbara, playwrights Allison Engel and Margaret Engel, and director David Esbjornson
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Theatre in Austin, TX.
MAKE A LASTING IMPACT!
JOINVOICES
THE FULL
CIRCLE
AMERICAN
NEW
PLAYSOCIETY!
INSTITUTE
GIVING RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHTS A HOME AT ARENA
Since its inception in July 2009, the American
Voices New Play Institute has been a program
through which Arena Stage has had the
opportunity to nurture developing plays and
talented playwrights. By providing support and
best practices to theater artists, the New Play
Institute encourages the birth of groundbreaking
new work, which serves to enhance and enrich
the theatrical content Arena is able to bring to
its patrons.
One of the focuses of the New Play Institute is
the residency program, including the Playwright
Residencies. The focus of these residencies
is the cultivation of the playwright as an artist,
rather than a specific piece of theater that the
playwright is developing. Not only is Arena able
to give playwrights the resources to pursue the
projects about which they are most passionate,
with the support of expert dramaturg Jocelyn
Clarke, but it also allows Arena to deepen
pre-existing relationships with playwrights
during their residencies. Through the New Play
Institute’s residency program, playwrights can
take their time with a project, allowing it to reach
its fullest creative potential. By establishing
an environment that encourages vibrancy and
risk-taking in writing, Arena, through the New
Play Institute, pursues excellence in new work,
strengthening the community of artists and the
collection of original theater.
Arena Stage is grateful to the Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation for generously supporting the launch
of the American Voices New Play Institute.
HOW DO ARENA’S RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHTS GET INSPIRATION FOR THEIR WRITING?
“I see it first. It’s a vision or an
image and I can begin to build out
from there.” – John Strand
“I’m a playwright who writes a lot
from place and space. I’m inspired
by setting more so than anything
else.” – Katori Hall
“When I found the dramaturgical
language of the play, that allowed
the plot to come soaring in.”
– Karen Zacarías
One of Karen Zacarías’ sources of inspiration for Destiny of Desire was Bertolt Brecht, a 20th-
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century German playwright and director who inspired an entire field of theatrical study.
READ AND PLAY STORYTELLING DAY
Photo by Laura Turner
Arena is proud to be partnering with
Martha’s Table throughout the 2015/16
season in order to encourage the
love of storytelling in young people
throughout Washington, D.C. In addition
to the ongoing book drive, through
which Arena Stage patrons can bring
children’s books that they wish to
donate directly to the theater, Arena
hosted the Read and Play Storytelling
Day in conjunction with Martha’s Table.
On November 24, over 200 children,
ages three to five, stepped into the
magical world of the theater during
a unique visit to Arena. From hearing
stories told by the actors of Oliver! and
Akeelah and the Bee to exploring the
Fichandler Stage and learning how a
tale comes alive onstage, the children
spent a day immersed in a world of fun
and imagination.
6
CONSIDER YOURSELF PART OF THE FAMILY OLIVER! OPENS AT ARENA
Arena Stage Executive Producer Edgar Dobie and
Choreographer Parker Esse during the post-show
reception
Jake Heston Miller as Oliver and the cast of Oliver!
perform “Consider Yourself.”
Photo by Margot Schulman
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Board Member Gene Samburg, Mikela Gay, Board
Member Joanne Barker, Board President David
Shiffrin, Peggy Shiffrin and Nina Benton
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
As the audience walked into the Fichandler Stage for the Opening Night performance
of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, it became clear that this was a telling of the classic story of
a hungry orphan unlike any the audience had seen before. From the enormous steel
catwalk above the seats to the boombox sitting on the stage, the entire Fichandler
space exuded the gritty urban environment in which Director Molly Smith set Arena’s
updated production of Oliver!
With permission from the owners of the rights to Oliver!, Music Director Paul Sportelli
updated the original show orchestrations, so tunes like “Food, Glorious Food,”
“Consider Yourself” and “It’s a Fine Life” were both familiar and contemporary. After
the performance, the audience mingled with the cast and creative team, including
talented child actors and innovative designers, at the dessert reception. It took a large
and dedicated team to pull off this daring production, and their hard work paid off in a
powerful and charming evening of theater!
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
7...
Charles Dickens would sometimes walk up to 30 miles a day to familiarize
himself with London and ensure he portrayed it precisely in his writing.
• FACT! magnam volupidellab inveri as reptass imagnienda dolorae perupta tempora tenda
CONSIDER YOURSELF PART OF THE FAMILY OLIVER! OPENS AT ARENA
American Voice Award Recipient Congressman
Chris Van Hollen and Board Chair Beth
Newburger Schwartz
the Humanities and other community arts
projects, Congressman Van Hollen was an
exemplary candidate for the award. He even
performed in a summer camp production of
Oliver! when he was a child! Congressman
Van Hollen also recognized the poignancy
of Oliver!’s contemporary setting, given that
wealth disparities are as prominent as ever
and that our own communities are still full
of children like the play’s title character.
Arena Stage thanks Congressman Van
Hollen and other elected officials for their
support of the arts. Their efforts are making
our communities stronger and more vibrant
places to live.
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
American Voice Award
Arena Stage presented the American Voice
Award on November 12 at a special dinner
before the Opening Night performance of
Oliver! The award honors elected officials
who are dedicated to the promotion of arts
and arts education in America, and this year
it was presented to Congressman Chris
Van Hollen (D-MD) by Arena Stage Board
Chair Beth Newburger Schwartz. Because of
his support of the National Endowment for
OLIVER! IS GENEROUSLY
SPONSORED BY:
&
Director Molly Smith welcomes the guests at the
Oliver! Opening Night dinner.
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
Additional support is provided by Karen
and Edward Burka and the Harry and Fay
Burka Foundation, Sylvia Kay Greenberg and
Charlotte and Hubert (Hank) Schlosberg.
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Jake Heston Miller (Oliver) and Broadway veteran
Jeff McCarthy (Fagin) celebrate a successful
Opening Night!
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
The Opening Night celebration of Oliver! would not
have been possible without:
8
FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE WITH LITERARY MANAGER LINDA LOMBARDI
In the midst of
workshops and
rehearsals, Linda
Lombardi sat down with
the Editor to discuss the
season at Arena Stage
and what kind of shows
inspire her.
MELANIE HEREDIA: What does a Literary
Manager do, and how did you
become one?
LINDA LOMBARDI: A Literary Manager is equal
parts talent scout, historian, researcher,
journalist, editor, librarian and community
organizer. On each show — whether it’s a
world premiere, an extant play or musical,
or a second or third production of a new
play — I provide dramaturgical support,
which involves everything from research to
script supervision to artist interviews, postshow conversations and panel discussions.
I also work on our artistic initiatives such as
the Kogod Cradle Series and Playwrights’
Arena. As Artistic Associate, I’m involved in
season planning, keeping abreast of new
play festivals and cultivating Arena Stage’s
relationships with playwrights.
My journey has not been a typical one.
I’ve spent most of my time working
for nonprofits — some artistic, some
educational, some political. I’ve worked as
a director and dramaturg for 20 years now,
with the last five or six years focused on
new plays. I actually started at Arena as the
Associate Director of Marketing. It’s unusual
to make a switch like I have, from the
administrative side to the artistic side. Just
like actors get typecast, we put each other
in boxes. You’re analytical. You’re artistic.
Like those two qualities can’t coexist. The
opportunity to break out of your box doesn’t
come along very often. You have to be
ready to take advantage of it, but you also
have to be with people who aren’t afraid to
take risks. The perfect storm is being in the
right place at the right time and surrounded
by the right people.
Director José Luis Valenzuela, playwright Karen Zacarías,
Esperanza America, Nicholas Rodriguez and Trevor Riley look
at the text during rehearsal for Destiny of Desire.
9...
MH: What do you look for in a script?
What excites you about a play?
LL: Molly has a wonderful way of
approaching scripts. She asks a very simple
question — is it the best of its kind and/
or is it something no one is talking about
yet? For me, it all starts with the language;
its content, context and rhythm. Is there
something new and fresh about how that
playwright is telling their story? If I can hear
the play in my head when I’m reading it
then I know there’s something there. Those
plays that you can’t help but read out loud
because the language is so rich. And if I
can’t sit still when I’m reading the play —
if it makes me get up and move around,
makes me wish someone were there to
read it with me — that’s thrilling. Bill Cain’s
Equivocation, Lynn Nottage’s Sweat. They
both had that effect on me. I love stories
about politics and plays that ask the big
question of what it means to be a leader.
From Shakespeare’s histories to Robert
Schenkkan’s All the Way, it’s a constant
dramatic struggle. But there are all sorts of
political stories — sexual politics, workplace
politics, family politics. It’s hard to ďefine,
but what’s really exciting is when I come
across a script that is inherently meant
for the theater, rather than film. There’s
something alive about it that just needs to
be on stage.
First Lady Michelle Obama was the Chair of the Honorary Committee for the Women’s Voices Theater
Festival; Destiny of Desire and Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End were both part of the Festival.
MH: What is the most challenging thing
MH: What are you looking forward to
LL: Getting to “yes.” There are so many
LL: There are so many amazing plays, it’s
hard to choose just one! Being part of it all
is probably what I’m most looking forward
to. That sounds simple, but it’s true.
about moving a show from script
to stage?
extraordinary plays out there that deserve
to be produced. Sadly, there are more great
plays than there are slots theaters have to
offer. But when we get to say yes, that’s the
best part of the job. That’s a good day.
“New plays examine our present situations, but
they’re also about our future. They’re the continuation
of the American canon and the American voice.”
MH: How is your job different when
you’re working on a new play versus
an extant one?
LL: It all depends on the needs of the
playwright and/or director. For a world
premiere like Destiny of Desire, I was in
rehearsal every day as script supervisor
to implement any changes as they
happened. For something like All the
Way or Disgraced, where it’s a second or
third production, the script work may be
more about comparing drafts as the play
has evolved. And for an extant piece it
might be about providing information that
supports the director’s concept, like giving
Molly information about contemporary
London for her vision of Oliver!
most this season?
MH: How have you seen Arena evolve
artistically during your time here?
LL: We’re doing more new plays, which is
fabulous. This year we have five world
premieres. My first season we had two,
maybe three. New plays examine our
present situations, but they’re also about
our future. They’re the continuation of the
American canon and the American voice.
Every great play was once a new play, every
new play had that first audience, and every
first audience had that once-in-a-lifetime
experience of seeing something no one
else has seen before.
Jeff McCarthy as Fagin and his band of boys fill the Fichandler
Stage during a performance of Oliver!
Photo by Margot Schulman
SPOTLIGHT ON
CLARK CONSTRUCTION
Arena Stage is immensely grateful to
Clark Construction for providing the
theater with its home. Thanks to Clark
Construction’s hard work, the Mead
Center for American Theater was
completed on-time and on-budget.
However, equally commendable is
their generosity in the community and
their dedication to giving back. Clark
Construction has been a leader in
building and development for over a
century, but just as important to their
mission is strengthening the communities
in which they work. Every year, Clark
Construction engages in community
service and philanthropic giving in
order to demonstrate the pride they
have for their communities. They are
passionate about sharing their time
and talent in order to create meaningful
change, and Arena Stage has been
fortunate to receive their generosity.
Clark Construction has been a supporter
of Arena for over 10 years, serving as a
sponsor for Military Thanksgiving as well
as contributing to the general operations
of Arena’s programs. Arena Stage thanks
Clark Construction for their support and
their commitment to service.
Check out Linda’s articles and interviews for the Arena Stage blog, Stage Banter, at blog.arenastage.org.
10
GO BACKSTAGE TO EXPLORE MORE OF ARENA
INTO THE VAULT:
ARENA THROUGH
THE AGES
Enjoy an exclusive look through
the backstage of the Mead Center
for American Theater! At the fall
Backstage Tour event, members of
the Development Department guided
Arena Stage members through the
Mead Center for American Theater
to give them a look at what happens
behind the scenes at Arena. The tour
They heard from members of the
production team who explained all
the work that takes place before
the audience enters the theater,
from weeks of rehearsals to the
construction of elaborate sets.
Members were able to ask questions
to deepen their knowledge and
understanding of all the work that
Test your knowledge
with a new Arena trivia
question each issue!
Photo by Scott Suchman
WHAT PRODUCTION WAS THIS FROM?
HINT: This one-woman play tells
the story of a beloved jazz singer
through her own music.
11...
Members admire the beautiful Molly Smith
Study while they learn about the architecture
of the Mead Center.
groups had the opportunity to explore
the many facilities hosted within the
Mead Center, including the Executive
Suite, the Kreeger Theater, backstage
area and the property and scene
shops. Members had the unique
opportunity to step into the shoes
of an Arena Stage executive as they
looked over the administrative offices,
and of a professional performer as
they walked through the hallway that
houses the Kreeger dressing rooms.
Production Manager Joel Krause shares
what it takes to bring a show to life with set
and props.
goes into building a professional
production. Throughout the tour,
Development Department guides
provided information about the
history of Arena Stage and the
beautiful Mead Center, which has
been home to Arena since 2010. It
was a privilege to invite some of
Arena Stage’s dedicated supporters
to go beyond their theater seats and
explore the world backstage.
SPOTLIGHT ON
ARENT FOX
Arent Fox, a law firm with more
than 70 years of history and
approximately 400 attorneys, is
committed to serving the public
interest and supporting charitable
institutions in cities across the
United States. In addition to
providing thousands of hours of
pro-bono work every year, Arent
Fox encourages employees to
give back to their communities,
while ensuring the firm remains
at the forefront of the private
bar’s effort to address unequal
access to legal representation.
The firm also offers direct support
to schools, cultural organizations
and other non-profit organizations,
and Arena Stage is among those
beneficiaries. It has been 25
years since Arent Fox made its
first contribution, and through
the years they have remained a
valuable corporate sponsor as
Arena Stage continues to grow
and pursue new and exciting
challenges. The generosity of
Arent Fox makes it possible
for Arena Stage to develop its
programming and to put on worldclass productions year after year.
Backstage Tours are a member benefit beginning at the Ensemble ($100) level and are held twice each season.
• FACT! magnam volupidellab inveri as reptass imagnienda dolorae perupta tempora tenda
Contact the Development Office at 202-600-4177 for more information.
ARENA OPENS ITS 66TH SEASON IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
Kenneth and Bonnie Feld
Benj Pasek, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Justin Paul and Steven Levenson
World-premiere musical Dear Evan
Hansen, written by Steven Levenson,
dazzled audiences with its poignant
story and Benj Pasek and Justin
Paul’s soaring score. Now moving to
New York to play off-Broadway, the
performance blended comedy with
heartbreak, leaving a lasting impact
on audience members.
FIFTH ANNUAL
MILITARY THANKSGIVING
Guest Speaker Admiral Michelle J. Howard
Karen Zacarías’ telenovela-inspired
comedy featured an all-Latino cast
and celebrated female playwrights
as part of the Women’s Voices
Theater Festival. Laughter filled the
Kreeger as the characters of Destiny
of Desire navigated the plot’s many
twists and turns.
Franklin Moore, Director Charles RandolphBoard member
Grace
and
Tim Terpstra
Wright and
Erich
Hosbach
Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Trustee
Susan Clampitt, José Alberto Uclés and
Elizabeth Neblett
Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Artistic
Director Peter C. Brosius with Artistic
Director Molly Smith
Director José Luis Valenzuela, Norma
Cárdenas and Congressman Tony Cárdenas
The opening night of Akeelah and the
Bee was nothing short of D-E-L-I-G-HT-F-U-L. Cheryl L. West’s adaptation
of the 2006 film brought a diverse
cast of characters to life right before
the audience’s eyes as they cheered
Akeelah all the way to the National
Championship.
Photos by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC
On Friday, November 27, Arena
Stage hosted the Fifth Annual
Military Thanksgiving, welcoming
approximately 200 servicemen and
women and their families to celebrate
Thanksgiving at the Mead Center
for American Theater. Members of
the military community were invited
for a complimentary dinner and
performance of Oliver! in thanks for
their courage and dedication to the
protection of the American people.
Arena was proud to welcome Admiral
Michelle J. Howard to give remarks
during this very special evening.
Military Thanksgiving was generously
sponsored by Lockheed Martin.
Additional support was provided
by Northrop Grumman, USAA Real
Estate, The Coca-Cola Company,
Clark Construction, GEICO, John
and Linda Derrick, Rick and Carol
Froehlich, Ellen K. Harrison and the
David Bruce Smith Foundation.
Playwright Cheryl L. West was a member of the first class of Allen Lee Hughes Fellows at Arena Stage 25 years ago!
12
Inner Circle
Lead ($600-999)
Playwright’s Circle ($1,500-2,499)
Director’s Circle ($2,500-4,999)
Producer’s Circle ($5,000-9,999)
President’s Circle ($10,000-14,999)
Leadership Circle ($15,000-24,999)
Benefactor’s Circle ($25,000+)
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Complimentary use of Bank of America Lower Lobby or Molly Smith Study
Join today to enjoy the following benefits while
helping us make outstanding American theater!
*Excludes Ticketed Fundraising Events
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Star ($1,000-1,499)
Supporting Role ($300-599)
15% off discount and handling fees waived on single ticket purchases
Donor Newsletter – In the Round: A View of Arena Stage from All Sides
Backstage Tour
Invitation to attend Open Rehearsal(s)
Drink Coupon(s) –$1 Off
Drink Coupon(s) – Complimentary
Invitation to meet the cast at First Rehearsal(s)
Recognition in Arena Stage programs
Complimentary Opening Night invitation(s)*
Access to House seats through the VIP Donor Hotline (202-600-4177)
Recognition on the Annual Fund Donor Wall
Onsite Parking
Meet the Artist Cocktail Reception
Opening Night Dinner(s) with the artistic team
Meet the Artist Dinner
Ability to be a Production Intern for an Arena Stage show
MEMBER
Ensemble ($100-299)
BECOME A
CAST
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A WARM WELCOME
TO NEW MEMBERS!
Thank you and welcome to new
members who joined from May
1, 2015 – December 1, 2015. We
gratefully acknowledge your contribution,
which makes it possible for Arena to
present high-quality productions and
innovative education programs.
Hunaina S. Ahmed
Al Mughairy
Michael Angell
Geoffrey Berlin
Joyce Brayboy
George Dalley
Michael DeSantis and
Patrick Baugh
Joseph DiGangi
John Farrell
Nancy and
George Ferris Jr.
Fleishhacker Foundation
Catherine Gorrell
Dean Haas
Kimberly Harshaw
Fred Hochberg and
Thomas Healy
Harriet Hopkins
Diane Hurley
Jack Davies and
Kay Kendall
Thomas and
Joyce Moorehead
Dale Mott and Ken Hyle
Greg Nelson and
Jose Cunningham
J. Michael Payne and
Barbara Johnson
Nancy Regan
Lucia Riddle
Jeffrey Thurston and
Charlie Berardesco
While we appreciate gifts of all size, space only
permits us to list new members of $300 and above.
Join Now! ONLINE: www.arenastage.org/donate PHONE: 202-600-4177 MAIL: Arena Stage Development Office, 1101 Sixth St. SW, Washington, DC 20024 (payable to Arena Stage)
13...
This season, members at the Producer’s Circle and above had the opportunity to hear from playwrights Karen Zacarías
and Margaret Engel at an intimate Meet the Artist Dinner, one of Arena’s numerous membership benefits.
THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS HERE TO SERVE — LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP!
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY
HOLLY K. OLIVER
Chief Development Officer
202-600-4029
[email protected]
ANNE PAINE WEST
Director of Board and Donor Relations
202-600-4024
[email protected]
HANNAH FRIED-TANZER
Development Coordinator
202-600-4050
[email protected]
DALE MOTT
Director of Strategic Advancement
202-600-4062
[email protected]
JULIA MALECKI
Foundation Relations Manager
202-600-4031
[email protected]
KRISTEN MITCHELL
Senior Director of Individual Giving
202-600-4026
[email protected]
CHAR MANLOVE-LAWS
Corporate Relations Manager
202-600-4030
[email protected]
MELANIE HEREDIA
Writer and Editor, In the Round
Development Assistant
202-554-9066 ext. 5059
[email protected]
MARIA CORSO
Associate Director of Development
Operations
202-600-4025
[email protected]
MOLLY GOODMAN
Membership Coordinator
202-600-4027
[email protected]
REGINA BURGHER
Development Fellow
202-600-4032
[email protected]
ARENA STAGE 2015/16 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHAIR
Beth Newburger
Schwartz
PRESIDENT
David E. Shiffrin
CHAIR ELECT
Judith N. Batty
VICE CHAIRS
Michele G. Berman
Edgar Dobie
Patti Herman
John Lynham
Raymond Sczudlo
Sheila Stampfli
SECRETARY
Hubert M. Schlosberg
TREASURER
Larry Franks
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Ronald A. Paul M.D.
GOVERNING BOARD
Andrew R. Ammerman
Kent Amos
Joanne Barker
Linda A. Baumann
Susan Haas Bralove
Eric Braverman
Susan Clampitt
Jeri Epstein
Richard Feinstein
Elliot Feldman
Nicholas Goad
Ellen K. Harrison
Kay Kapoor
Margot Kelly
Daniel Korengold
B. Thomas Mansbach
David B.H. Martin
Joyce Moorehead
Richard A. Newman
Terry R. Peel
Lucia Riddle
Gene Samburg
David Bruce Smith
Molly Smith
Shawna Watley
HONORARY BOARD
Jim Abdo
Ashok Bajaj
Steven R. Bralove
John Derrick
Michael DeSantis
Nancy M. Folger
Natwar Gandhi
Sylvia Greenberg
DOUBLE
YOUR IMPACT!
Fruzsina Harsanyi
Vicki J. Hicks
Judy Lansing Kovler
Mark Levine
Nancy Low
David O. Maxwell
Joan P. Maxwell
Beverly Perry
Judy Lynn Prince
William S. Sessions
Mark Shugoll
Richard W. Snowdon
Sandra E. Taylor
Grace Terpstra
Margaret Tomlinson
Andrea Weiswasser
LIFE TRUSTEES
Norman Bernstein
Zelda Fichandler
Lee G. Rubenstein
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Arlene and Robert
Kogod
PAST PRESIDENTS AND
CHAIRS
J. Burke Knapp
Norman Bernstein
Curtin Winsor, Jr.
Lee G. Rubenstein
Richard W. Snowdon
Denie S. Weil
Riley K. Temple
Steven R. Bralove
Wendy Farrow
James J. Rouse
John M. Derrick, Jr.
Mark Shugoll
David E. Shiffrin
An anonymous donor has
agreed to match all new and
increased gifts made during
our 2015/16 season dollar for
dollar up to $250,000. Give
today to make your gift go
even further.
Thank you for your vote of
confidence in our work. We simply
could not do it without you!
Visit www.arenastage.com/donate or contact
Molly Goodman, Membership Coordinator at
202-600-4027 or [email protected]
to learn more.
TRIVIA
ANSWER:
The volupidellab
2005/06 production
Robertson’s
Lady Day
at Emerson’s
& Grill featuring
• FACT! magnam
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asLanie
reptass
imagnienda
dolorae
peruptaBar
tempora
tenda Lynn Sterling as Billie Holiday.
14
1101 Sixth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
www.arenastage.org
Non-Profit US Postage PAID
Suburban, MD
Permit No. 2800
MOLLY SMITH, Artistic Director
EDGAR DOBIE, Executive Producer
EXCITING EVENTS YOU
WON’T WANT TO MISS!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Opening Night of Sweat
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Open Rehearsal for The City of Conversation
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Opening Night of The City of Conversation
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
First Rehearsal for All the Way
Friday, March 4, 2016
Opening Night of The Lion
(Invitations to above events vary by membership level).
Cover photos courtesy of Cameron Whitman Photography and C.
Stanley Photography. Page 1 (from top to bottom): Ben Platt as Evan
in the world-premiere musical Dear Evan Hansen, photo by Margot
Schulman; The Mead Center for American Theater exterior, photo by
Nic Lehoux, courtesy of Bing Thom Architects; The cast of Destiny of
Desire in rehearsal, photo courtesy of Arena Stage; Choreographer
Parker Esse and the cast in rehearsals for Oliver!, photo courtesy of
Arena Stage; Members of the Voices of Now Croatia ensemble, photo
courtesy of Arena Stage. Page 12: Guest Speaker Admiral Michelle J.
Howard, photo by Cameron Whitman Photography, LLC. Page 14: Elia
Saldaña, Fidel Gomez, Esperanza America and Nicholas Rodriguez in
Destiny of Desire, photo by C. Stanley Photography.
TWITTER: @arenastage | FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/arenastage
United Way of the
National Capital Area
Designation Code: #8601
Combined Federal
Campaign
Designation Code: #19665