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Barbara Pasternack posted an update 15 years, 2 months ago
@mediabeth Here is information about the company and the role of the board. Let me know if you want to meet and chat more in April.
Our Mission
The mission of TheatreworksUSA, now in its 48th season, is to create, produce, and provide access to professional theatre for young and family audiences nationwide, including disadvantaged youth and under-served communities. Since our founding in 1961, we have presented more than 80 million children and their families with opportunities to enjoy our theatrical productions. We serve children and families in our home city of New York and also tour states throughout the nation; last year we brought 33 productions to 45 states and Canada, reaching an audience of over three million people.Fulfilling our Mission
TheatreworksUSA is America’s largest professional non-profit theatre for young and family audiences. In addition to our extensive annual audience base, Theatreworks is also the home of over 400 theatre professionals each year. Our programs are a living, breathing fulfillment of our mission and include the following annual activities:
– National Touring: 20 or more shows in up to 47 states; 3,300 performances a year for two million students.
– Class Trips Series: self-presented shows during school time in 118 cities for one million students.
– Early Stages: underwritten Class Trip tickets for economically disadvantaged schoolchildren in Class Trip cities where funding is provided.
– Guest Artists: 1,200 performances of one- to four- person multi-cultural shows.
– Free Summer Theatre: for 19,000+ disadvantaged young New Yorkers.
– New Works Development: 3-5 new productions commissioned and developed each season.
– Arts-in-Education: study guides, in-school workshops and artist residencies.Our Audience
Touring to urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the United States, Theatreworks performs for audiences that are ethnically, geographically, and economically diverse. Approximately 80% of our audiences come from low/middle income households. Our audience breakdown is approximately as follows: 16% African-American/Black, 8% Asian, 12% Hispanic/Latino, 1% Native American/Other, 63% White; 2% preschoolers, 85% children aged 5-12, 5% youth aged 13-21, 7% adults, 1% seniors.Commitment to Diversity
As a national touring company, we strive to maintain a repertoire that is accessible and of interest to the diverse populations we serve. The content of our shows and non-traditional casting are intended to reflect and appeal to a diverse national audience. With programs like Free Summer Theatre and Early Stages providing underwritten tickets, we reach “at risk” inner city youth and those who could not otherwise afford to attend the theatre.Artistic Contributions
Theatreworks has thrived for the past 48 years by consistently commissioning new work that is in step with contemporary youth. By creating productions that are educational, crisp, vibrant, and unique, Theatreworks productions have won favor with young and old audiences alike. Theatreworks is the only theatre for youth to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award. In addition, Theatreworks was the recipient of a 2001 Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, and in May 2000, The Actors Fund of America bestowed its Medal of Honor upon founders Jay Harnick and Charles Hull. Most recently Theatreworks received three nominations in the 2007 Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Revival, as well as a 2007 Drama League Award nomination for Oustanding Revival of a Musical.CRITERIA FOR BOARD MEMBERS
(Approved 10/13/2004 by Theatreworks Board of Directors; revised 7/10/08)Overview
A Board is: “An active and responsible governing body, holding regular meetings, whose members have no material conflict of interest and serve without compensation.”
-National Charities Information BureauThe Board of Directors bears collective and individual responsibilities. Collectively, it is responsible for certain fund raising initiatives and has certain budgetary and fiduciary duties. Individually, the responsibilities may vary from person to person depending on each Board member’s financial means, special skills and abilities. The Board’s strength is dependent on the cooperative efforts of its individual members. Therefore, each director will be expected to do the things necessary to enable the Board to fulfill its responsibilities.
Directors should:
o Feel a personal commitment to Theatreworks’ mission of providing the best possible theatre to the largest number of children.
o Be willing to contribute money, volunteer time, and expend effort to help us accomplish our mission.
o Become familiar with the Theatreworks operation and the programs that it presents.
o Respond to and support staff in fundraising, special projects and committee activities.A. Term: Board members shall serve three-year terms. Board members shall be eligible for re-election by performing responsibilities as outlined below for an unlimited number of additional three-year terms, provided the members have fulfilled their responsibilities (B, below). Members may rotate to the Founders’ Circle after completing their tenure as an active board member.
B. Responsibilities: Board members are expected to assist Theatreworks’ professional staff in achieving goals set forth in the mission statement by contributing wealth, work, and wisdom, according to New York State laws.
1. Wealth (Give and Get)
a. An annual Give or Get minimum of $5,000 will be expected. This may be fulfilled through getting any combination of corporate, foundation and individual contributions, including selling event tickets or giving personally or through in-kind donations. This $5,000 give/get is inclusive of members’ support of special fund raising events (Gala, Free Summer Theatre, Opening, theatre parties, etc.) by purchasing tickets according to individual means.
b. Outreach: Board members are expected to work with staff on behalf of Theatreworks/USA for the purpose of raising funds and seeking pro bono services and in-kind donations.
2. Work
a. Required to attend at least half of the scheduled Board meetings during the year. Members should not miss two consecutive sessions.
b. Required to fill out an annual self-assessment form.
c. Required to serve on at least one committee (e.g. Finance, Board Development/Nominating, Fundraising).
d. Expected to participate in donor cultivation events.
e. Introduce Theatreworks to friends and business associates by bringing them to the theatre and/or new work development workshop performances.
f. Board Building: Introductions and leads for the purpose of adding active new members to the Board.
g. Take responsibility for responding in a timely fashion to staff regarding attendance at meetings and events.
3. Wisdom
Serve as a resource to Theatreworks in your area of professional expertise and contribute the sum of your life experience and knowledge to the general decision-making process of Theatreworks’ Board and staff. Delete Comment