The Brandywiners

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“Our presence is growing in Delaware,” Santoro said, noting that the audience at Longwood is 65 percent from Delaware and that the Chorale performed for President Joe Biden at a 2022 Veterans Day ceremony near New Castle, and has performed at Wilmington Blue Rocks games as well.

The Brandywiners are a Delaware nonprofit, registered out of a post office box in Montchanin. They have an endowment but few physical assets. They rent storage units for lighting equipment and other supplies, and Santoro keeps the temperature-sensitive makeup in his own home.

The Brandywiners have about 700 members, and their 2022 production of The Wizard of Oz featured 66 performers and about as many people working backstage and ushering. The $96,000 budget included $20,000 for costumes (traditionally, all costumes that aren’t rented are donated to Tatnall) and money to pay for about 30 people contracted to lead various activities and provide music.

Through its life, the Brandywiners have helped support other local arts and aids organizations, donating more than $1 million over the years. It’s lately been giving away $15,000 to $20,000 a year, Santoro said, and to help with its growing programming and largesse, it has started to apply for grants from foundations, corporations and individual donors. And all along, they uphold a motto from Laird and Tatnall: “All for fun, and fun for all.”