OUR HOME FOR AR ORLD & US PREMIER OUTHAWARE QUEER BEHIND-THE-SCENES ALLIED F A L L 2 0 1 9 MMUNITY DRAMA C ATIVITY MUSICALS THEATRE NEW DUCATION CLASSES
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newsflash! • If this is your first time receiving Behind-The-Scenes, welcome! This is our twice-yearly newsletter to our community of supporters with exclusive content you can’t find anywhere else. We’ve made some changes to our donor benefits, and now, donors at the Director ($500-$999) level will receive this publication. For more information on our current benefits, see pg 16. • NCTC’s work was nominated for several awards at the annual Theater Bay Area Awards Celebration on November 4, and we won! Congratulations to Ruby Vixenn and Mr. David on their award for Outstanding Costume Design (Tier II) for Red Scare on Sunset. Other nominees from NCTC include: -- Devin Anthony Kasper - Outstanding Scenic Design, Kristen Matiaa - Outstanding Fight Choreography, & Patricia Reynoso - Creative Specialties, all for Cardboard Piano -- Brennan Pickman-Thoon - Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role in a Play, The Gentleman Caller Award-winning costumes from Red Scare on Sunset by Ruby VIxenn and Mr. David. Photo by Lois Tema.
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โ ข We are thrilled to announce several new members of our Future Stages program, who have generously stated their intention to support NCTC over the longer term with multiyear and/or increased gifts. A heartfelt thank you to:
Alan Mattacola
Andrew Smith & Brian Savard
Jeff Malloy & Dean Shibuya
Jorge R. Hernรกndez & Ron Jenkins
David Meders
These gifts allow NCTC to build a robust and sustainable forward-thinking budget, ensuring the year-to-year funding necessary to commission and produce world premieres and to grow our youth programs. For more information on multiyear giving with Future Stages, please contact Director of Individual Giving Andrea Partridge at andreap@nctcsf.org or 415.694.6158.
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• NCTC would like to invite our community of supporters to a performance of SCRIMMAGE, our latest play for the YouthAware Educational Theatre program. This short play is designed for high school audiences and centers on the relationship between two brothers, exploring topics of bullying, stereotypes, and personal responsibility to oneself and the people around you. Performances are through November 22nd, Monday-Friday at 10:30am in the Decker Theatre. To schedule your attendance, please contact Director of Individual Giving Andrea Partridge at andreap@nctcsf.org.
• Feel like you haven’t heard from NCTC in a while? You may not be subscribed to our mailing list. This is how we invite you to special events like our Pride Party (Nov 19th, last chance to RSVP here by November 15th to attend), receive updates on our subscriptions, special offers, and more! You can sign up to receive emails from us here. • Many of you may have gotten to know Hilda Li, our Development Assistant, in the Donor Lounge over the last year. It’s with great sadness but immense pride that we announce her departure from NCTC. She has accepted a full time position with the San Francisco Opera. With that, we’re hiring! If you know anyone looking for an entry-level, part-time position in arts administration, please send them our way. You can view the job posting here.
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NCTC is Joining the Global GivingTuesday Movement! GivingTuesday, taking place December 3rd, is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage giving and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Every year, on GivingTuesday, millions of people across the globe mobilize to show up, give back, and change their communities. The goal is to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day, and touches every person on the planet. All theatregoers know the power of a collective experience. As with the emotions quietly shared and synchronized heartbeats in rows of theater chairs, so too can our generosity create unity and a movement that outlasts just one moment. We hope that this GivingTuesday, you’ll share your love for NCTC: with a gift, a mention of a fond memory of New Conservatory to friends, or however you see fit. Those who are interested in joining NCTC’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit us at NCTCSF.ORG/DONATE. Put it in your calendar to donate on December 3rd, and remember, all gifs of $50 or more will be matched 2:1 through the Future Stages Matching Challenge. What else can you do? Help us go viral for GivingTuesday by sharing our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and tagging us on all social media platforms @NCTCSF. For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit www.givingtuesday.org, or follow @GivingTuesday and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.
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Looking Towards our Future Stages From Executive Director Barbara Hodgen back from our community of patrons, artists and friends, and a lot of hard data, and we come up with a plan that shapes our strategies moving forward. We edit, revise, and repeat every five years.
It takes a variety of skills
to keep a theatre company going. I’ve been known to call on my skills as a diplomat, writer, accountant, cheerleader… you get the picture. Another elusive skill needed is seer – the ability to predict and plan for the future of the theatre while simultaneously keeping the day to day chugging along. Unlike the characters in Head Over Heels I cannot simply tromp off to consult an oracle, so must create strategies that will ensure as healthy and vibrant a future for NCTC as possible. One of the tools we use is a rigorous strategic planning process. Through an alchemy that combines our aspirations for the future, a large dollop of feed-
Of course, a good plan also needs a good financial infrastructure to hold it up. Which brings us to Future Stages, our initiative to develop a stream of multi year gifts that will provide a predictable financial bedrock on which we will build. Partnered with our next Five-year Strategic Plan, this initiative will not only leverage our current strength but will also insure the promise of stability in the years ahead. A robust financial foundation will allow NCTC to best strategize for the longer term: pushing artistic boundaries; continuing to improve the quality of our shows; and expanding our impact on the young people of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area through our education programs. So how does this work? NCTC is incredibly fortunate to have many donors in our family who make us a regular part of their annual charitable plans. Through Future Stages, we work with these donors to plan out gifts
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for several years in a row, thus creating a baseline of funding from which we can grow and develop. Sometimes these plans contain a built-in timeline for gift growth, thus helping NCTC be more closely in step with our ever-increasing annual costs. To give you an example, one of our key goals is to increase compensation to our artists, artisans, and teachers. A committed funding stream over several years helps us set pay levels that we know we can sustain (and increase!) from one year to the next. Donors who make a multiyear investment in our Future Stages initiative provide the vital funding needed which will enable NCTC to better plan, thrive and deliver in its distinctive role as the region’s foremost theatrical voice for the LGBTQ+ and allied communities of all ages. Here are some of the other ways we plan to utilize this support:
On our stages • Stage the world premieres of the new works • Support innovative production values through improved resources and cutting-edge technology Youth programs • Increase teaching artist compensation, strengthening our ability to compete with other larger organizations for top-tier teachers in our Conservatory and other youth programs • Invest in the next generation of artists through broader
development of our youth outreach programs, such as Identity Matters, impacting the lives of LGBTQ+ and other youth throughout the Bay Area
New play development • Commission new works for the Mainstage and our Youth Aware program from both emerging and nationally-recognized playwrights, growing the canon of work celebrating LGBTQ+ and allied voices • Provide developmental support via workshops, readings, and second productions of new plays that speak to our audiences The added bonus for our Future Stages donors is the opportunity this provides for a deeper engagement with the work we do at NCTC. With giving plans in place, we can spend more time talking to you about the shows, or the youth programming or whatever else interests you about our work, and less time asking for money. In short, it’s a good way to guarantee that an email from NCTC will be something you want to open and not just another solicitation! We are implementing Future Stages on a rolling basis. Haven’t heard from us yet? Wait, let me consult the oracle… yes, I see a conversation in our future.
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In
Workshopping Before The Sword: An International Commission October,
Ed Decker headed to London to work on an exciting new project: an international commission of a new work by English playwright Andrew Alty in partnership with Theatre6 in the UK. Set primarily in the Ed with Andrew Alty and actors Interwar Period in England, Before The after the reading Sword is inspired by the life and works T.H. White, an author rumored to be a closeted homosexual, prior to the writing of his famous 1938 novel The Sword in the Stone. It offers an imagination of the inspiration for that story, while exploring themes of rising fascism, father/son relationships and expressions of masculinity, and respect, mindfulness of, and learning from, nature.
Alty with Kate McGregor, Artistic Director of Theatre6
The play is scheduled to have its world premiere here at NCTC in the coming years, and then tour with Theatre6 in the UK. The UK production will use the same stage design and blueprints to enhance efficiency and create consistency between the two productions, which will be further aided by the dual direction of both productions by
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Theatre6’s Artistic Director Kate McGregor. McGregor has been working with NCTC since the commission process began in mid-2018. “Based on the popularity of the T.H White classic stories on both sides of the pond we thought it provided a great platform for an international collaboration that aligned with the missions of both theatres,” Ed says of the partnership. The multi-year development period of a new play is fairly standard, and is one of many reasons why NCTC is working towards sustainable fundraising practices. When we begin the process of commissioning a new play, we must be able to ensure the funding necessary to mount the production years down the line. Even more ambitious is the prospect of rolling out a premiere in two countries. We are eternally grateful to you, our donors, for providing the consistent support needed to grow the organization and incubate new works for the Queer and Allied communities.
Table read of Before The Sword
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For 38 years NCTC has blazed many trails on our stages and in schools throughout Northern California. We will continue this work by building a sustainable financial foundation in pursuit of theatrical excellence. To meet this goal, we introduce you to Future Stages - a bold new strategic sustainability program to foster longevity at New Conservatory Theatre Center. Through multi-year and increased gift commitments, Future Stages is designed to ensure that we can continue to deliver on our mission in the many years to come. One anonymous donor who shares our vision has pledged $100,000 to kickstart our holiday appeal, the Future Stages Matching Challenge. Thanks to this inspiring challenge, all gifts of $50 or more made by January 15th will be matched 2:1. In addition, the successful completion of this year’s challenge will guarantee equal funding for another challenge next year. Please make a gift today to this crucial year-end campaign and help ensure the long-term prosperity of the region’s foremost theatrical voice for the Queer & Allied community and preeminent progressive arts education provider. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season,
Ed Decker, Founder & Artistic Director
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Let’s Get Galactic! Exploring the Transformative Nature of Theatre
Hi everyone! A lot of you k n o w who I am, but for those who may not, my name is Alessandro McLaughlin. My title at NCTC is Box Office and Patron Services Manager, but I also had the distinct honor of directing for YouthAware this year. I directed Let’s Get Galactic which is YouthAware’s touring show for kids in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This directing project was one of the most challenging, but rewarding things I have done so far in my directing career. A little background on my theatre/directing experience that lead me to Galactic (as it’s known to the YouthAware team). I have
been doing theatre for my entire life. I was the little kid who walked around his house doing the best Robin Williams impression he could. Whether it was lines from Mrs. Doubtfire or “Prince Ali” from Aladdin, I was always performing. Cut to many years of theatre classes, musical theatre performances, 4 years at a Performing Arts High School and then I was ready to study theatre full time. I ended up at Clemson University in South Carolina where I got my BA in Performing Arts concentrating in Theatre with an emphasis in Directing and Arts Administration. It was there I discovered my true passion for creating stage pictures and I directed as much as I could. Some of the challenges I took on in college were Cock by Mike Bartlett, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, and
Closer by Patrick Marber to name a few! These shows presented their own challenges including topics of sexuality, deceit, love, anger, family, cheating; you name it. What this taught me was that through theatre, audiences can open their minds and hearts to talk about what makes us human; flaws and all. So you may be saying, “Well Alessandro? How did this lead you to directing a show geared towards children?” which
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is an excellent question! When I started at NCTC I was bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready to take on any challenge. Before NCTC, I was theatre friends with Nikki Menez who is the YouthAware Programs Director. One day very early on, we decided to grab burritos together during our lunch break and we began chatting. We started shooting the breeze about the theatre industry, her experiences as a director, and mainly what YouthAware
The cast and crew of Let’s Get Galactic
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From the original production of Let’s Get Galactic was. That was one of the best burrito lunches I have ever had because I got to learn about all the fabulous things she was doing, and how YouthAware shaped NCTC. As I continued on at NCTC and as Nikki and I began to not only be coworkers but close friends, she approached me to direct for YouthAware. It had been about 5 or 6 months since my last project, so I was itching to find the next thing. I distinctly remember sayin “Nikki, I am honored but I am gonna be
honest with you, I have never directed a show geared towards kids. The shows I gravitate to usually have a minimum of 30 curses and are really out there.” Nikki smiled and said “I know and I think you’ll do fine! And plus, I will be here to help you every step of the way. The two things aren’t that different; the main thing is you are helping teach them lessons and show the magic and power of theatre.” From then on, not only was I sold on YouthAware, but I was ready to take on the chal-
lenge. With the blessing and encouragement of Ed and Barb, I went ahead and began the process. Through many auditions I landed on casting Abigail Campbell (who you will see in Head Over Heels) and Darius Cundiff. To have everyone involved be passionate about the craft of theatre was amazing. Whether they were seasoned or brand new, everyone was ready for Galactic. YouthAware brings four age-appropriate productions to Bay Area students through touring and in-house performances. The shows are usually 25-45 minutes and handle a range of topics that include bullying, mental health, emotional education, and HIV/AIDS. In Let’s Get Galactic, the story follows an alien named Blorp and a robot Conky after they’ve crash landed on Earth. They then begin to gather as much information from the children and each other as they can. They learn about making healthy choices to fight
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germs, about what HIV/ AIDS are and how it affects your blood, and how to be nice to each other and cultivate friendships. Throughout our rehearsals of Galactic I realized that my experiences as a director had actually prepared me perfectly for this task. Together as a team we knew exactly how to handle these hard topics and to present them to the children in a fun, but informative manner. When we presented it to our first school, it was electric. The kids were excited, laughing, but the most amazing thing they did was listen with care. They listened with open hearts and open minds and because of that were able to enjoy what brings us all to the theatre; to be transported to another place and come back with a smile, a new set of knowledge, and a deeper understanding of what makes us human.
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Dear Supporters of NCTC, In line with our Future Stages efforts, we have made some improvements to our lineup of donor benefits, which we hope will engage our donors more fully in the work and mission of the organization. Here are a few of the changes: • We have moved the level of access to this newsletter to the Director ($500-$999) level. We’re thrilled to offer insight into NCTC to a larger group of our community of supporters! • At the Producer ($2,500+) level and beyond, we have formalized opportunities to attend rehearsals for shows currently in production and table readings of new plays commissioned through NCTC’s New Voices/New Works program. • A piece of NCTC history at the Executive Producer ($5,000): a copy of every World Premiere script produced that season. Because these works are brand new commissions, they are unpublished and not available to the public, and can only be acquired with support at this level. Additionally, these scripts will be signed by the playwright whenever possible. • At the Impresario ($10,000) level, you now have the option to donate 2 full season NCTC subscriptions to a charity of your choice. NCTC often gives ticket vouchers to charities in our community, but we know our donors have many causes they are passionate about. These subscription vouchers are perfect for auctions, prizes, or other fundraising incentives, and help to introduce new people to NCTC! Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Send me an email at andreap@nctcsf.org. We build these benefits with you in mind and appreciate your feedback. Warmly,
Andrea Partridge
Director of Individual Giving
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Invitations to a rehearsal for your chosen show (NCTC schedule permitting) Acknowledgement in select publicity materials for your chosen show 8 Producer tickets Opportunity to host a pre-show reception at NCTC Invitation to exclusive Producer’s Circle event Framed & autographed production poster Exclusive invitations to select new play readings 4 additional Producer tickets Signed scripts for World Premiere productions Option to donate 2 full season subscriptions to the charity of your choice Complimentary cocktails year-round Special recognition on select seasonwide collateral Signature cocktail served in your honor at Mason’s Bar Dinner with Founder & Artistic Director Ed Decker Benefits are offered on an annual basis and are renewable on the anniversary of the gift.
Champion ($50,000+)
Seasonwide Donor Lounge access
Season Producer ($30,000-$49,999)
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes newsletters
Impresario ($10,000-$29,999)
Donor Lounge access for 2 shows
Exec. Producer ($5,000-$9,999)
Season Announcement & Pride Party invitations
Producer ($2,500-$4,999)
Acknowledgement in all playbills
Playwright ($1,000-$2,499) & Encore Society Members
Lobby recognition year-round & acknowledgment in 2 playbills
Director ($500-$999)
Actor ($250-$499)
Ensemble ($100-$249)
Artist ($1-$99)
NCTC Donor Levels & Benefits
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