Spark Magazine Spring 2017

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SPARK

Spring 2017

B L U M E N T H A L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S – I G N I T I N G C U LT U R E

FEATURE:

BRINGING BROADWAY TO CHARLOTTE | P.4

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Ignite a SPARK: Facebook.com/NCBPAC

CONTENTS

Twitter.com/BlumenthalArts Instagram.com/BlumenthalArts

Spring 2017

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Blumenthal has the clout to bring Broadway to Charlotte.

FEATURE:

Members of the dance community mingled and participated in multiple pre-show activities at Blumenthal Celebrates Dance.

4 BRINGING BROADWAY HOME

9 ALL THAT'S JAZZ

8 GRAFFITI AND B-BOY MASTERS

12 STUDENTS ONSTAGE

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Jazz Festival Returns, Pushing the Inside Out

What it Takes to Make a Great Season

Blumenthal Births a Hip-hop Mentoring Program

Blumenthal Programs Provide Invaluable Experience

8 BLUMENTHAL CELEBRATES DANCE 13 SOUNDS ON THE SQUARE Event Makes Dance Program More Accessible

New Outdoor Series Coming Soon to Spirit Square

ON THE COVER: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Reginald Bean, marketing & community relations chair Riaz H. Bhamani Amy Rice Blumenthal Kristin Hills Bradberry, chair Marivi Bryant Bobby Chesney Dena Diorio Bobby Drakeford J. Porter Durham Jr., governance chair David M. Goodman Molly Griffin, education chair Timothy L. Gunter

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Jeffrey Hay, secretary and chair-elect Renee Hobart Sarah Hutchins L. Erin Lavely Barbara Meeks, development chair Gail Sharps-Myers Edwin B. Peacock III George A. Raftelis Ed Rose Matthew Salisbury Kevin White, treasurer and finance & audit chair Amy Wooden

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SPARK is produced by the Blumenthal Performing Arts Marketing staff. Vice President of Marketing Wendy Oglesby Editor and Graphic Designer Mark Wallace, creative services manager Writer and Content Coordinator Elise Esasky, communications manager Contributing writers: Liz Rothaus Bertrand Page Leggett Michael Solender Karen Martin

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Editing support: Tim Jonassen


DIFFERENCE MAKER

PHOTO BY DANIEL COSTON

Above, Peg Adamczyk, fourth from left, and her husband, Jay, in the red shirt, pose with cast members and family at the after party for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder. Below, Jay and Peg take a photo before Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

TRANSFORMING LIVES WITH GOOD WORKS Peg Adamczyk Gives So That the Arts Can Touch Others

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By Liz Rothaus Bertrand

or Blumenthal Performing Arts supporter Peg Adamczyk, the arts reverberate through many of her earliest childhood memories. She recalls the constant stream of music at her parents’ house as she and her seven siblings practiced their musical instruments simultaneously – two bassoons, two trumpets, one flute, two clarinets and one French horn among them, all taught by their dad, a passionate musician. There were long family road trips filled with singing and multipart harmonies, led by her mother’s lovely voice, to pass the time. She remembers fourth grade as a turning point, when she starred in a school production of Charlotte’s Web. “(For the) first time, I really felt special,” says Adamczyk. “Growing up in a large family and being in the middle, it’s very hard to stand out.” That early exposure to the arts has been a driving force for her. Throughout her professional and personal life, Adamczyk has strived to expand access to the arts, encourage talent and help shine a light on the accomplishments of young artists. “I knew my calling was to be a teacher,” she says. She studied early childhood education at Kent State University and went on to a teaching career spanning 27 years. “Whenever possible, I would bring music into the classroom. It’s amazing what kids will remember if you put it to music.” She retired in 2014. Over the years, her involvement at Blumenthal began to grow. Starting as occasional ticket buyers, she and her husband, Jay, eventually became subscribers and then donors. The Adamczyks’ financial contributions to Blumenthal have been key in expanding access to the arts. For example, their donations to the Arts for All program have enabled local, low-income kids who were attending summer literacy programs at Freedom

Schools to see a touring Broadway musical production each summer at Belk Theater. She has also become a passionate advocate for local high school musical theater programs. In 2013, she first attended The Blumey Awards – Blumenthal’s Tony Awards-inspired High School Musical Theater Awards program – and was amazed by the depth of talent on display. She was so inspired, she started attending dozens of high school productions annually. Since last year, she has also served as one of the official judges for The Blumey Awards. This year, she will adjudicate nine productions but hopes to see at least 25 high school shows. “I’ve seen some of these performers blossom,” she says, noting standouts like best actress winners Eva Noblezada (2013), who went on to star in Miss Saigon in London’s West End and now on Broadway; Amina Faye (2016), who went on to win top honors at the National High School Musical Theatre awards in New York; and Abby Corrigan (2014) who will return to Charlotte this June in the national tour of Fun Home. “It’s not just about winning the award,” Adamczyk says. “It’s about growing and improving their programs … that’s just so exciting to me.” Recognizing student achievement is also the focus of the Gordon Hay Scholarship. Adamczyk serves on the selection committee, which awards $5,000 annually to one young recipient pursuing a nonperforming field in the performing arts. In honor of Blumenthal’s 25th anniversary season, Adamczyk and her husband decided to mark the occasion in a big way. The couple donated $25,000 to underwrite this spring’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. She hopes their sponsorship will enable new audiences to discover this unique production. T

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BRINGING BROADWAY TO CHARLOTTE

Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

COVER STORY BY MICHAEL SOLENDER 4 SPARK | SPRING 2017

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Long-range Planning, Financial Support and Solid Relationships Make a Great Season Possible

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he alluring world of Broadway is as golden as ever, as musicals are enjoying a phenomenal renaissance reaching all the way to Charlotte. Programming an entire Broadway season for Charlotte theatergoers involves a delicate alchemy of significant long-range planning, careful investment in show development, building solid industry relationships and creating a winning environment. This all makes Charlotte a destination producers place at the top of their lists. “We are in a golden age for Broadway,” says Tom Gabbard, president and CEO of Blumenthal Performing Arts, “and it’s not just Hamilton (which appears in Charlotte during the 2017-2018 season) – there are lots of great shows being generated. The number of shows landing on Broadway and looking to tour around the world represents a fantastic pipeline. We can look 18 to 36 months down the road and know that Charlotte is going to enjoy the bounty of that.” Last season was the most popular ever for Broadway, according to the Broadway League,

an industry trade organization. Total Broadway show attendance for the 2015-2016 season reached more than 13.3 million, grossing nearly $1.4 billion, making it the best attended and highest grossing season ever.

BUILDING A BETTER BROADWAY SEASON

Constructing a season is years in the making for Gabbard and his team. Unlike many performing arts centers across the country, Blumenthal has sole responsibility for selection, booking and marketing, and often invests in shows that take its stages. “Many of our peers around the country operate as landlords and simply rent out their space,” says Gabbard. “They have financial partners who shoulder part of the risk and help with marketing. Here, we take the risk, negotiate the deals and often are investors in the shows. Profits made are invested back into the organization to pay overhead and support additional programming.” Charlotte is considered a premier stop for Broadway touring shows. Gabbard says shows in

Charlotte theatergoers get a piece of Broadway without leaving home, thanks to Blumenthal's reputation as a go-to location for touring shows.

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"Blumenthal is seen as one of the … must-go-to locations in the country. They are known for doing things right and as a successful, first-class venue." – CHARLOTTE ST. MARTIN, PRESIDENT OF THE BROADWAY LEAGUE

Above is the set of the Blumenthal-developed First Date musical, which was built from scratch on the Booth Playhouse stage. At right is a photo booth area in the lobby that replicated part of the set.

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Charlotte frequently earn producers the highest net profits over any other city on tour due to strong ticket sales and below-market production costs. Blumenthal’s unique structure and long-term management contracts over six stages keep operating costs significantly below those of its national peers. The organization operates Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater and Knight Theater for the city of Charlotte and the McGlohon and Duke Energy theaters at Spirit Square for Mecklenburg County. The city and county enjoy predictable fixed costs and the benefit of more than $56 million annually that Blumenthal generates for the regional economy. Blumenthal is a nonprofit organization employing about 100 fulltime employees, 350 part-time stage hands and more than 350 volunteers. “Our serving as a single management organization responsible for so many theaters offers significant economies of scale and economic advantages that make us an attractive market,” says Gabbard. Road markets are an important economic component for Broadway shows, according to Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “Blumenthal is seen as one of the … mustgo-to locations in the country. They are known for doing things right and as a successful, first-class venue. Producers see other shows go there and have success and they want to share in that success as well.” 6 SPARK | SPRING 2017

EXTENDING INFLUENCE

Several years ago, Gabbard seized the opportunity for Blumenthal Performing Arts to extend its influence beyond simply booking shows to influencing their development and backing them financially. He founded the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), a consortium of 40 leading touring presenters across the country. “Our collective ability to invest into a show is very powerful,” says Gabbard, noting as an example that exclusive rights to presenting the 2004 Tony Award winner Avenue Q was acquired by Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn – freezing out touring cities. "The following year, Mr. Wynn wanted to acquire exclusive rights to Spamalot. Because IPN had a significant investment in the show, I had a seat on the partners committee, and was successful in arguing that we should not do the same deal. Having a voice to effect decision-making is what the investment buys us.” In addition to Spamalot, IPN has invested in and helped produce several mega-hits, including Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, 9 to 5, Kinky Boots and The Color Purple, each appearing in Charlotte. For many Broadway shows appearing in Charlotte, Gabbard likely had a seat in the room during early workshops or show readings years earlier. “Tom and Blumenthal have a strong reputation with Broadway producers,” says Anita Dloniak, promoter, publicist and marketer of Broadway tour productions. “Charlotte is viewed as a leading market in the industry. We’re looking to introduce Broadway to

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new audiences. Blumenthal’s programming is attractive to those experiencing live theater for the first time as well as long-standing theatergoers.” Forging strong industry relationships has allowed Blumenthal to make investments and decisions with industry pros they trust. “David Stone, the producer of Wicked, is an example of someone I’ve worked with over time and want to support,” says Gabbard. “This led to bringing If/Then here. Matthew Bourne is another producer we support and someone our audience wants to see more of and experience the evolution of his work.” Blumenthal hosts Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes Oct. 17-22 at Belk Theater after investing in five of his London productions. A magical tale of one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world, the seductive production is set to a new score arranged by Terry Davies. First Date is another example of how Blumenthal’s investment in developing shows paid off for Charlotte. The Blumenthal produced version, which was reconceived from the original Broadway version, received critical acclaim, performed well at the box office and helped cement Blumenthal’s reputation as a top arts organization with which to work. And while Broadway shows are a dominant economic driver, Blumenthal’s stages host a variety of shows that include concerts, dance, comedy and spoken-word performances, reaching nearly 700,000 attendees at more than 1,000 shows annually.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Making first-class performance facilities available at the lowest possible cost is a source of community pride for Blumenthal. Gabbard estimated that Blumenthal waives nearly a million dollars in rental fees annually, benefiting not only Charlotte Symphony, Opera Carolina and Charlotte Ballet, but smaller local arts companies as well. “We recognize there are things we go into that are important to the community, like The Blumeys, Broadway Junior, Breakin' Convention, the Charlotte Jazz Festival, fine arts and educational programming that can’t pay their own way and we need to compensate for,” says Gabbard. “Our basic strategy is to work very hard to generate money any way we can so that when we ask others for funding support, it is with a very clear conscience that we’ve done everything we can.” PHOTO BY JOHAN PERSSON One way Blumenthal gives back Ashley Shaw as Victoria Page in The Red Shoes.

PHOTO BY PETER ZAY

The Caroline Calouche troupe performs Clara's Trip in Booth Playhouse.

is through its resident artist program, offering subsidized performance space to those that have more than half their performances on Blumenthal’s stages. Caroline Calouche, local performing artist and founder of her eponymous dance troupe, notes the resident artist program helped her company build a following. “We have been a resident company at Blumenthal for several seasons,” says Calouche. “They do so much for us. Their entire team is fantastic, from marketing and ticketing to the technical crew who works hard to ensure we are safe – it is a great group to be associated with.” Blumenthal devotes the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square year-round to local performing arts companies. “We let resident companies use it rent free (up to two weeks per title) and provide marketing support,” says Gabbard. We try and create the most affordable environment possible for them.” An arts incubator, the space is frequently accessed by local companies such as OnQ Performing Arts and Three Bone Theater. “We’ve been a resident theater company with (Blumenthal) since 2009,” says Quentin Talley, On Q Performing Arts’ founder. “It has been a great relationship for us. The cost savings allows us to have significantly longer runs, and has been a springboard for us in terms of extending our reach into the community.” For Blumenthal, it’s all about making enriching arts experiences available for the region. “When a company needs larger space and graduates on,” says Gabbard, “that’s something to celebrate.” T

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GRAFFITI GURUS, B-BOY MASTERS

Blumenthal Births a Hip-hop Mentoring Program

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ust because it’s an art form born on the street instead of a classroom, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be formally taught. That's why Blumenthal is connecting promising hip-hop students with established artists. Michelle Youngs, Blumenthal’s special projects manager, said finding mentors was easy by tapping into talent from the first two years of Breakin’ Convention in Charlotte. For the mentoring program, DeNeer Davis teaches graffiti art, Tron Robinson works on B-Boy skills and Claude Whitfield is the DJ mentor. Each mentor works with a group of three or four students – all high school freshmen, sophomores or juniors. The program brings structure and discipline to a multidisciplinary art form that only looks free-form and improvised. Hours of work go into making it look effortless. Students in the mentoring program work with their mentor twice a month on skill development, with the goal of doing a performance or display at the Breakin’ Convention Street Jam in October. They cultivate leadership skills by helping to plan two mini-Street Jams, and they attend evening performances with mentors and other mentees. The lessons go deeper than technique. Students learn the

Tron Robinson, left, mentors a young break dancer on the Levine Center for the Arts plaza.

history of the 50-year-old art form of hip-hop and how the various elements work together. Blumenthal strives to nurture emerging talent and highlight locals at the height of their powers. Mason “Quill” Parker is a Charlotte-based poet, performer, DJ and hip-hop champion who emceed The Hip-Hop Nutcracker last year. For Parker, it was overdue recognition of hip-hop’s local legitimacy. “We are bridging a gap between the underground and the mainstream in a way that is unprecedented,” he said. Davis, another local artist Blumenthal has nurtured, painted columns inside the Knight Theater for both years of Charlotte’s Breakin’ Convention and has done live painting demonstrations in theater lobbies as well as an art show. Davis said, “(Blumenthal is) helping pave the way for me.” And Davis and other mentors are paving the way for the next generation of hip-hop artists. T — Article by Page Leggett

LET’S DANCE

Blumenthal Performing Arts Throws a Dance Party for the Community

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lumenthal Performing Arts tried something new in February: A program that presented the work of worldrenowned choreographer Twyla Tharp and brought the community together at the same time. With support from Carolinas HealthCare System, Blumenthal made tickets to Blumenthal Celebrates Dance broadly accessible, helping to shine a light on many of the ways people can connect to healthy lifestyle choices and arts groups in Charlotte. “Our colleagues in New York at City Center have had great success with ‘Fall for Dance,’ where all tickets … are sold at a very low price,” Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard explained. “It has drawn into the venue people that usually find price to be an obstacle. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try a miniversion in Charlotte.” Most tickets to the Feb. 25 event at Belk Theater were $10. A few reserved seats cost $20. Twyla Tharp, with her massive crossover appeal, was a good test for what Gabbard hopes will be an ongoing series. “Twyla has constantly reinvented herself,” he said. “From great dance and opera houses, to Broadway and London’s West End, Twyla has always been an inspiring explorer.” Ticket holders got much more than a performance. Blumenthal 8 SPARK | SPRING 2017

An aerial dancer performs in the Belk Theater lobby during Blumenthal Celebrates Dance.

Celebrates Dance included dance, fitness and healthy living exhibits inside the Belk Theater lobby; a lecture/demonstration led by Twyla Tharp Dance Company’s manager; and a nutrition talk. Martha Connerton, who founded Kinetic Works, says the event made one thing very clear: “Charlotteans don’t have to go elsewhere to find great dance.” Charlotte Youth Ballet was also part of the event. Board chair Laura Delgadillo said, “Bringing programs like Twyla Tharp to Charlotte for affordable prices allows children to see exceptional art and dream their own dreams.” Delgadillo pointed out that dance isn’t just an amenity – it’s essential. “There are mountains of research illustrating the positive impact of dance on grade point average, dropout rates, etc.,” she said. “Less tangible, but just as real … is the fact that the arts are nourishment for the soul of our community and our country.” T

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— Article by Page Leggett


ALL THAT'S JAZZ Charlotte Jazz Festival Returns, Pushing the Inside Out

PHOTO BY PHILLIP HOFFMAN

At left, Sammy Miller and the Congregation entertains a crowd at the Mint. Above, Charlotte Jazz Festival takes to the open air on the Levine Center for the Arts pavilion.

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By Karen Martin

fter a hugely successful inaugural year, Charlotte Jazz Festival is making a big return, and the excitement is at an all-time high. Once again featuring the critically acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the leadership of musical director Wynton Marsalis, the festival takes place April 17-23 at Knight Theater, Levine Center for the Arts and Romare Bearden Park, with more music, activities and events. “The second Charlotte Jazz Festival is pushing the inside out in a very big way,” says Tom Gabbard, president and chief executive officer at Blumenthal Performing Arts. “Just walking around, people will savor the sound of music at the tent at Romare Bearden Park, hours of free concerts outside the Knight Theater, lunch at the Sunday Jazz Picnic, and a second line parade winding around uptown.” Creating a true community event sprawling widely across Levine Center for the Arts and beyond, Blumenthal is setting out to shine a light on the world of jazz. Thanks to The Leon Levine Foundation, the festival’s presenting sponsor for the second year, Charlotte Jazz

PHOTO BY PHILLIP HOFFMAN

The second line parade draws in bystanders as it moves through uptown.

Festival 2017 offers something for everyone: intimate club performances at the Harvey B. Gantt Center and the Mint Museum Uptown, late night jams at the Westin Hotel, and the Loonis McGlohon Young Jazz Artist Competition, just to name a few. Other highlights include a Junior Jazz Club for kids in grades 3-7, and hands-on workshops for younger kids. “Free Fun on the Plaza” events, taking place at the pavilion at Levine Center for the Arts throughout the week, are made possible by Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, an affiliate of Foundation for the Carolinas. On Friday and Saturday nights during the festival, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Marsalis will perform on the main stage at Knight Theater, celebrating jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie on Friday and the untamed elegance of the jazz age on Saturday. Marsalis, a Grammy® -winning composer, trumpeter and music educator, was a major influence in creating the inaugural Charlotte Jazz Festival. “It is always great to see the appreciation of jazz grow in the Charlotte community,” says saxophonist Harvey Cummings, band leader of The Harvey Cummings Project. “Continuing the festival gives the opportunity for this area to dive deep into the jazz culture, helping to keep it alive.” One of the most exciting new elements this year is the addition of several tented events at Romare Bearden Park, where local jazz musicians will play from Thursday through Sunday. When the festival closes on Sunday, there will be a giant picnic in the park – free and open to the public – to celebrate everyone who took part in Charlotte Jazz Festival 2017. T

FOR TICKETS AND THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, VISIT CHARLOTTEJAZZFESTIVAL.COM OR CALL 704.372.1000

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BLUMENTHAL

in Pictures

Fifty dance and Spanish language students learned from the great Stephanie Ramirez, female principal dancer from Flamenco Vivo, during a bilingual master class at Northwest School of the Arts in February.

Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard talks all things Broadway at the first “Broadway Café” held at CoCo and the Director in Charlotte

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A young theatergoer dresses up to see Into The Woods.


Blumenthal Performing Arts employees donated coats, warm clothing and hygiene items during the holiday drive.

Area students enjoy Erth's Dinosaur Zoo in Blumenthal's Booth Playhouse.

Attendees at The Hip Hop Nutcracker pose in front of painted columns created by local artists at Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts.

Blumenthal Performing Arts celebrates a record breaking number of Season Ticket holders for the 2016-2017 season.

A couple of theatergoers cut up on the red carpet for An American in Paris.

Blumenthal Special Projects Manager Michelle Youngs poses with WBTV’s John Carter after promoting Blumenthal Celebrates Dance on Bounce-TV.

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THE BLUMEY AWARDS Raising the Bar for High School Theater Students

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lumenthal Performing Arts will host the sixth annual High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Blumey Awards, presented by Wells Fargo, on Sunday, May 21. Since its inaugural ceremony in 2012, the award program has expanded in number of participants, as well as the citywide and national attention. Last year, the ceremony was recorded for broadcast television, airing on WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station, multiple times throughout the summer, and it will be recorded and aired again in 2017. Ten counties are represented in the program this year and a record 46 schools have confirmed – more than double the 20 schools that participated the first year. An exciting choreographer will bring a new element to the mix at this year’s ceremony at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Sarah O’Gleby

PHOTO BY DANIEL COSTON

Local high school students perform the closing number at the fifth annual Blumey Awards presented by Wells Fargo.

is a longtime West End and Broadway performer. She’s an expert in conceiving, creating and executing high profile live, television, theater and film entertainment. From the Metropolitan and Houston Grand Opera to the NBC Universal Upfronts to Ted 2, Sarah brings ingenuity, surprise and great theatricality to production numbers, montages and star driven moments. She has choreographed and coached stars like Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden, Carrie Underwood, Seth McFarlane, Hugh Jackman and Beyonce.

Her love for all things dance shines annually in The Kennedy Center Honors, The Tonys and The Oscars. Maureen O’Boyle, WBTV evening news anchor, will return to host the event along with Amy Burkett, general manager at WTVI PBS Charlotte. WTVI will record the ceremony and air a two-hour special about The Blumey Awards, including performances from the ceremony, interviews with participants, behind-the-scenes footage and a look at the rehearsal process. The air date will be announced by WTVI in the coming months. T

BROADWAY JUNIOR

The Sky is the Limit for Students in Theater Program

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n early April, Blumenthal Performing Arts hosts the annual Broadway Junior Theater Celebration, a three-day festival for elementary and middle school students in the Charlotte region. It offers an educational environment and a chance for students to perform on a real stage to receive valuable feedback from theater professionals. Broadway Junior musicals are owner-approved, condensed versions of classic musicals, Disney favorites and modern works. Blumenthal Performing Arts offers grants to 41 underserved local schools so they can acquire show kits from Music Theatre International, the agency that licenses performance rights to these musicals. Each show kit includes materials that teachers can use to launch their productions: scripts, sheet music, choreography videos and a director’s guide with tips on casting, rehearsals, directing, sets, props, lighting and more. 12 SPARK | SPRING 2017

Broadway Junior is made possible thanks to generous donations and support from Publix Supermarket Charities and the Doctor Family Foundation.

“The students at my school have said that doing the Broadway Junior shows has allowed them to express themselves in ways that wouldn’t be possible without musical theater,” says Bridget Burrows, the chorus and music teacher at Porter Ridge Middle School in Indian Trail. Students and teachers from 46 Charlotte-area schools are participating in this year’s Broadway Junior Theater Celebration, which Blumenthal Performing Arts has sponsored since 2007. The event is so popular that this will be the 10th consecutive year for several schools. These budding triple-threats will explore their art in theater workshops taught by local artists, and then perform a selection from their school musical in front of a panel of artists from New York's iTheatrics. T

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— Article by Karen R. Martin


SOUNDS ON THE SQUARE

2015-16

FINANCES BY THE NUMBERS

New Outdoor Series Coming Soon to Spirit Square

Operating Revenues

ummertime is about to burst into sound with the first annual Sounds on the Square Series. On Friday nights from May through August, everyone is invited for a free musical mélange outside the 7th Street entrance to Spirit Square (facing College Street). Enjoy the summer night air and the performances of local singers and musicians as Blumenthal Performing Arts presents some of the best talent in the Charlotte area, and more. Featured talent includes winners of the Loonis McGlohon Jazz Competition, Blumey Awards winners and nominees, and the spirited musicians of Girls Rock Charlotte. “We always try to create opportunity for our youth – campers and young volunteers – to feel the pride, camaraderie and joy that you get when you work together as a band to rock a stage and an audience,” says Kelly Finley, founder and executive director of Girls Rock Charlotte. The organization, whose mission is to amplify PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY the confidence of girls and Performances like this will be happening on the Square at Spirit Square this summer. gender diverse youth through the power of music, holds its summer camps at Blumenthal. “When we were making plans with them for 2017, they mentioned this new opportunity of Sounds on the Square, so we said ‘Yes!’…. We love the idea of celebrating our campers and volunteers in this amazing venue.” Other musical events will include a Hamilton sing-a-long and two outdoor movie nights. Sounds on the Square events will be held every Friday night from 7-8:30 p.m., May 5-Aug. 25, rain or shine. Should the weather turn gloomy, the musical merriment will be moved inside Spirit Square. Feel free to bring chairs and a picnic – or purchase food and drinks onsite – and enjoy some superb summer Sounds on the Square! T

Event Revenues

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— Article by Karen R. Martin

$30,774,130

ASC Support

$234,077

City/County Maintenance Reimbursement

$914,526

Contribution Income for Operations Other Revenues

$2,175,966 $219,183

Total Operating Revenues

$34,317,882

Operating Expenses Events Operations

$22,686,269 $9,967,467

Management and General

$1,066,458

Fundraising

$510,234

Total Operating Expenses

$34,230,428

Net Results From Operations

$87,454

Audited financials, year ended Aug. 31, 2016. To see our full audited financial report and Form 990, visit BlumenthalArts.org.

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS No. of Performances, Classes, Events and Activities Attendance at All Events and Classes Economic Impact

3,410 690,387 $56,306,595

Student Impacts

19,092

Free Tickets for Arts for All Initiatives

3,402

Community and Education Program Impacts 23,555 Hours Donated by Volunteers

56,188

All Donations (Mission and Endowment) $2,567,175

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Blumenthal's Junior Ambassador Program Grows

ave you met the energetic young people who serve as ushers in our theaters? They’re part of Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Junior Ambassador program for high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about the theater. From September to April each school year for the past 10 years, the Junior Ambassadors have volunteered their time as ushers. They also attend seminars about personal development and the field of arts management.

This year’s class of Junior Ambassadors includes students from 21 schools in seven different counties in the Charlotte region. In January, they came together for the first Junior Ambassadors Mid-seasonal Social. They gathered for dinner and then made their way to Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, where they attended a performance of the UNC Clef Hangers, Carolina’s oldest a cappella group. “The social was a great way to get to know other Junior Ambassadors ... it was BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG

Junior Ambassadors enjoy a social event.

really cool to bond over it,” says Elizabeth Sauser, a senior at South Point High School in Belmont who is in her second year as a Junior Ambassador. T — Article by Karen R. Martin

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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS PRODUCER’S CIRCLE $25,000+

Peg and Jay Adamczyk Barbara and David Goodman*

$10,000+

Dr. Milton and Arlene Berkman Philanthropic Fund Victoria and Porter Durham Beth and Jonathan Feit Vickie and Tom Gabbard Laura and Jeff Hay Renee and Chris Hobart Mr. and Mrs. William B. McGuire, Jr. Michael, Jaime and Allie Monday Jeanne and Rick Puckett Michael and Ann Tarwater

$7,500+

Betsy and Alfred Brand Mr. William K. Diehl, Jr. Belinda and Timothy Gunter Nancy and Davis Hauser Wendy and Michael Kahn Jean and Matthew Salisbury

$5,000+

Cathy and Jim Baily Mr. William M. Barnhardt and Mrs. Nancy B. Thomas* Christine and Arthur Becker The Blumenthal Foundation – Amy and Philip Blumenthal Hona Childers and Daniel Browne Elizabeth and James Faulkner Dorlisa and Peter Flur Bob and Jena Gallagher Sandra and Stephen Godofsky Dale Halton and Fred Wagner Beverly and Jim Hance Diane and Chuck Harrington Rebecca S. Henderson and J. Michael Booe Hope and Dhiaa Jamil Julie and Howard Levine Barbara and Josh Meeks Beth and Robert Monaghan Linda and Tony Pace Mr. and Mrs. George Raftelis Lori and Eric Sklut Cheryl and Gregory Sprole Melissa and Kevin White Karen and Edgar Whitener Joan Zimmerman

$2,500+

Elizabeth Austin Shavonda and Reginald Bean Julie and Riaz Bhamani Ben Bourne Crandall and Erskine Bowles Kristin and Buck Bradberry Robin and Lea Burt Nathalie and Daniel Carrizosa Mary Catherine and Robert Chesney Nan and Hal Clarke Amy and Alfred Dawson Gloria and Peter De Arcangelis

Dr. Bryan Edmiston and Mr. Felipe G. Edmiston Charlie Elberson Karen Griffin and John Galloway Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Gibbs Douglas R. and Elizabeth G. Goldstein Mrs. Gail Grim Patti and Mark Hawley* Nora and Thomas Hughes Susan and David Jamison Juanita and Lloyd Johnson Kearns Saldinger Charitable Foundation Hedy and John Manry Dr. Shannon Moran and Mr. Joseph Lovallo Charlotte and Arthur Mott Anna and Tom Nelson Anne and William Newcomb Robert H. Norville, Jr. Kelli and Mike Richardson D. Nelson Rogers Wendy and Frank Rosen Ken Rothmel Brenda and Bill Ryan Rose and Tom Sherard Lisa and Glenn Sherrill Norma and Rodney Short Patricia and John Stewart Lynn and Bill Sullivan Jacqueline A. Tucker Ed Weisiger, Jr. and Betsy Fleming Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. White Lisa and Kenny Wilson Amy Wooden and Joe Kolodziej Anja and David Zimmerman

$1,500+

Anonymous (2) Rick Abrams Becky and Michael Alcione Holly and Jeff Atkins Anne and John Barry Renee and Mike Baumbach Joanne and Steve Beam Mrs. Kimberly Beason Linda and Ralph Beck Joyce and Andrew Berger The Donald H. and Barbara K. Bernstein Family Foundation Betsy Blackwell and John Watson Mr. and Mrs. Alan Blumenthal Dr. Denny Bolton Peggy and Ray Bouley Laura and Sam Bowles Chris and Steve Brace Pat and Tim Brier Kathleen Britton George Brooks Mary and Frank Brown James Bullock Dr. Chris Burkett Joy and Chris Butler Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Case, Jr. Karmen Cassell Delane and Walter Clark Elaine and Steve Coats

Edward Cook Harvey and Muri Corzin Karin and Sean Davies Donna and Al de Molina Richard DelliSanti Pamela and Greg Dills Jim Donahue Michele Durkin Marcia and Bob Dynko Sidney Echevarria Kelli Enos Carolyn B. Faison Todd E. Gardner, MD Michael George Joseph and Carol Gigler Todd Glenham William Griesser Randy Griffin Robin and Blaine Hawkins Juliet and Brian Hirsch Sarah Hollar and Peter Macon Carol and Chris Horn Mr. and Mrs. William T. Houser Larissa and Ken Huber Peggy and Jim Hynes Beth Ipock Michelle Johnson Janet and Neil Kaplan Mary Jean and Howard L. Kushner Patty and Chris Lambert Eleanor Ehrhart and Dominick Landi Erin Lavely Marc and Xhenis Levack The Leon Levine Foundation – Sandra and Leon Levine Julianne Marley Ashley and Scott Mattei Jill Maxwell Suzy and Ed McMahan Karen and Robert Micklash Ms. Marie Mitchell Janet and Peter Nixon Brian Noonan Paul Norris Mr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Peacock III Dr. Helene Keyzer and Dr. Richard Pollard Susan and Dale Pond Gregory Price Jim Putnam Lisa and Robert Rollins Jaye Salter and Daniel Brewster Mr. and Mrs. Jason C. Schmidly Vesime and Marty Schroering Cheryl Barringer and Mike Sherman Peggy and Pope Shuford Andrew Silliker Judith Smith Dr. Ramada Smith and Mr. Kevin Smith Dr. Matthew Wheelock and Dr. Jill Smith-Wheelock Cindy and David Soliday Jeri Dianne Stancil Dia and Paul Steiger Sheri and Kelly Straub

Contributions received from March 3, 2016-March. 3, 2017

Suzanne and Michael Stritch Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sullivan Jennifer and David Teifer Carrie and Jeff Teixeira David Thomason Ellen and Ron Vilas Sandy and Greg Vlahos Bob and Dara Whiting Mary Ellen and Reid Wilkerson Johnnie Willis and Michael Green In loving memory of my Rip – Cathey Winfield

$1,000+

Anonymous (2) Trina Anderson Bryan and Kristen Barboza Dr. and Mrs. Edward S. Baum Marinn and Scott Bengel Mr. and Mrs. Tony Bikhazi Bonnie and Jim Blair Jeremy Blaney Rachel E. Brackett Greg and Susan Brouse Marivi Bryant Peter and Cynthia Buck Bret Burquest Bret Busby Karen and Kevin Chapman Brent Clevenger Charlotte Cochrane Brian Collier Catherine Cordle Lori and Roger Cuddy Rose and Bill Cummings Gaither and Robert W. Deaton Dena R. Diorio Betty Doria Pepper and Roddey Dowd, Sr. Brigid and James Downs Christine and James Drost Claude Duet Rachel and Jonathan Ellis Steven J. Ellis Elaine and Jeffrey Fagan Dr. and Mrs. Roger J. Fish Michele and Walter Fisher Joyce Staley Ford John R. Georgius In Memory of Judy Gerhart Robin Gershen Anne Gilchrist Mr. and Mrs. Mike Greene Molly and Robert Griffin Debby and Mike Groenhout Alex Haefele Neil Handelsman Fred Handsel and Ben Bellante Pamela Hanna, M.D. Mark Hawkins Donna and Randy Helton Bill and JoAnn Hertzing Kathy and Ben Hill James Hill Eric, Lori, Halle and Casey Hillman Michelle and Brian Howell Brian Hunt Kathy and Charlie Izard

David S. Jacobson Lynn Jeffrey Erich Jungwirth Linda and Kerry Kenner Virginia A. Kern Debra and Steve Kinney Janice S. Ladley Glenn and Shelia Laiken Beverly and John Lassiter James Ledbetter Margie and Victor Lisciani Catherine and Jeremiah Malone Marie-Claire Marroum-Kardous Jane and Hugh McColl Dr. Edith Valladares McElroy and Dr. Clint McElroy Betsy and T. Bragg McLeod Dr. and Mrs. Alden Milam Shelley and Andy Misiaveg Jared Mobley Amy Murphy Jill and Ed Newman Wendy Oglesby and David Higbe Barton and Dr. Valerie O'Kelley Drs. Elaine and Thomas Pacicco Anne Patefield Donna and Steve Pernotto Joy Pinchback Fidel and Laura Prieto Mary and Dave Pylipow Cindy and Randy Rice Dr. and Mrs. Richard S. Roberts Sally and Russell Robinson William R. Rollins Carla and Ed Rose Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Schneck Jane and Nelson Schwab Michael Serulneck Dr. Marvin Shapiro and Mrs. Anita Shapiro Emilie and Gene Sharbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Shelton, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Sherrill The Marc and Mattye Silverman Foundation Alessandra Skinkle Jan and Scott Smith Jennifer Smith Rosemary and Paul Smith Tom E. Smith Mr. Wayne B. Smith, Jr. William Swain Claire and Jim Talley Ben C. Taylor, III Mr. and Mrs. Jack H. Thomas Sandi and Ben Thorman Ellen and Jim Wade Diana and Matt Wakefield Catherine and Scott Warfield Jacqueline and Rusty Wasco Margo and Dave Wehrung Drs. James and Jackie Wheeler Raymond and Mary Williams Teresa and Stick Williams Pat and Bill Williamson Velva and Tom Woollen * Members of The Legacy Society at Blumenthal

Membership gifts make inspiration possible in our community. JOIN TODAY! BlumenthalArts.org/givenow or call 704.379.1288 14 SPARK | SPRING 2017

BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG


LEADERSHIP GIFTS THE DOCTOR FAMILY FOUNDATION

2016-17 Broadway Lights

SIGNATURE GIFTS

CEO PARTNERS

MAJOR GIFTS Preferred Dining and Catering Partner

Preferred Caterer

PRESIDENTIAL PARTNERS

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

DIRECTING PARTNERS Ernst & Young LLP Foundation For The Carolinas Publix Super Markets Charities

Belk, Inc Bradley British American Business Council C design Inc.

Crescent Communities, LLC Deloitte Elliott, Davis, Decosimo PLLC Grove Engineering Inc. InterCon Building Corporation

King & Spalding LLP KPMG McKenney’s, Inc Moore & Van Allen PLLC North Highland Company

NUCOR Rodgers Builders Inc. SteelFab, Inc. Troutman Sanders LLP UTC Aerospace Systems

MANAGING PARTNERS Baird Private Wealth Management BDO Bryan Cave Carolina CAT Charlotte Paint Co. Inc. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry

Gray Dog Investment Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Little McGuireWoods LLP Midrex Technologies Nieman Marcus

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP PMMC Preferred Electric Co., Inc. PricewaterhouseCoopers Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson P.A.

RSM US LLP Walbridge Southeast White Knight Engineered Products, Inc.

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS BB&T Cabarrus Glass Company Inc. Charlotte Business Journal Chicago Title Insurance Company Crosland Southeast

DTH IT Consulting Galvan Industries, Inc. Garmon & Company, Inc. Commercial Flooring Heede Southeast, Inc. High Performance Technologies

Hood Hargett & Associates Hoopaugh Grading Company, LLC Howard Brothers Electric Jenkins Peer Architects McCracken & Lopez, PA McGrann Paper Corporation

McVeigh & Mangum NC Interiors Contracting, Inc. Odell Associates Robert E. Mason & Associates, Inc. Rogers Unloading Service

Schindler Elevator Corp. Tippens & Zurosky LLP Velligan Medical Services, PC Xentegra

RESTAURANT PARTNERS

LEADERSHIP GRANTS Blumenthal Performing Arts receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

The Arts & Science Council supports Blumenthal Performing Arts’ 2017 fiscal year budget with operating and programmatic grants.

BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG

SPRING 2017 | SPARK

15


BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS 130 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 3036

We Inspire Community. Something special happens when we experience a performance in a group – quite different from seeing it at home. We FEEL it more intensely. Shared experiences also build understanding and empathy among the participants. Diverse communities need collective experience more than ever. We inspire community … through the arts.

Blumenthal Performing Arts has been entertaining and inspiring our community since 1992.

Your gifts make inspiration possible. BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS

130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202 704.372.1000 • BlumenthalArts.org

PHOTO BY PHILLIP HOFFMAN


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