Props! Summer 2023

Summer 2023

News for Playhouse Square donors

IN THIS ISSUE

•Dazzle Awards

•Marquee Moments

•Education Impact

•And much more!

While this space is normally reserved for Michelle, she has graciously allowed me to share with you some thoughts after six months on the job.

Since embarking on my new role last February, I have not ceased to be amazed at the energy, efficiency and ingenuity that define all things Playhouse Square. The programs and events have been brilliant:

• The joy exuded by the young students in Disney Musicals in Schools was enormously touching and uplifting;

• The talent and discipline displayed by our community’s top high school musical theater students at the Dazzle Awards made for an electric evening in downtown Cleveland that channels the excitement of the Tony’s in New York;

• Center Stage, our annual benefit for education, was as festive an affair as any I have attended at any performing

arts venue in Europe or Australia.

There is so much to look forward to on the immediate horizon. On September 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m., Playhouse Square will host Marquee Moments presented by Fleet Response, as we light up the new marquees, building and exterior video displays for the first time. This free, outdoor community event will feature performances on multiple stages, headlined by multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer. It will be an exciting night and I hope you will plan to attend.

On the very next evening, on September 29 at 7 p.m., Playhouse Square’s Dance Showcase presented by Terry & Sheldon Adelman will be presented in the KeyBank State Theatre. The annual event is a conduit for local dance companies and new audience members presented free of charge to the community in Playhouse Square’s largest theater.

What an amazing honor it has been to take the helm of an organization that is not only at the top of its game – but the top of the industry. And what a heady privilege

Front cover: Dazzle Awards Best Actor Savon Harris & Best Actress Calista Zajac

it is to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Playhouse Square to new and even greater levels. To work with such a can-do Board of Trustees in such a can-do town as Cleveland is simply the opportunity of a lifetime.

Finally, thank you for your support of Playhouse Square and, on a more personal note, making my move so seamless and special. I have been truly touched by the reception I have received by the wonderful people in Cleveland and look forward to meeting many more of you in the weeks, months and years to come. Should you see me at Marquee Moments, Dance Showcase, a performance or any other occasion, I would be delighted if you would stop and introduce yourself. You are the heartbeat of Playhouse Square, and I would be proud to know you all.

Craig Hassall, AM President & CEO

DEVELOPMENT AND GUEST SERVICES STAFF

Jason Bogdany Development Research & Database Manager 216-640-8428

jason.bogdany@playhousesquare.org

Karen Bridegum

Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8419

karen.bridegum@playhousesquare.org

Jason Brown Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8422

jason.brown@playhousesquare.org

Meg Colwell

Director of Volunteers & Guest Services 216-640-8559

meg.colwell@playhousesquare.org

Steven Deliman

Donor Relations & Special Projects Coordinator 216-640-8426

steven.deliman@playhousesquare.org

Leanne Dewyer Director of Development 216-640-8411

leanne.dewyer@playhousesquare.org

Anthony DiBacco Guest Services Manager 216-640-8553

anthony.dibacco@playhousesquare.org

Victoria Gray Development Coordinator, Annual Giving 216-640-8417

victoria.gray@playhousesquare.org

Cheryl Helden Foundations & Major Gifts Manager 216-640-8406

cheryl.helden@playhousesquare.org

Meg Kearns Volunteer Administrative Coordinator 216-640-8551

meg.kearns@playhousesquare.org

Katie Lang Donor Communications & Education Fund Coordinator 216-640-8664

katie.lang@playhousesquare.org

Sarah Martin Director of Front of House & Food & Beverage Operations 216-640-8535

sarah.martin@playhousesquare.org

Claudia Medlin

Gift Processing & Data Entry Coordinator 216-640-8409

claudia.medlin@playhousesquare.org

Katie Remark Partners Coordinator 216-640-8721

katie.remark@playhousesquare.org

Michelle Ryan Stewart Senior Vice President of Engagement 216-640-8410

michelle.stewart@playhousesquare.org

Sarah Stengel Development Manager 216-640-8408

sarah.stengel@playhousesquare.org

Owen Towns Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8421

owen.towns@playhousesquare.org

David Turner Development Ticketing Manager 216-640-8432

david.turner@playhousesquare.org

Mary Winchester Director of Donor Engagement 216-640-8412

mary.winchester@playhousesquare.org

On May 20, we celebrated and honored the hard work, dedication and excellence in Northeast Ohio’s high school theater programs at the annual Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman. More than 2,000 students from 30 schools participated in the program this year, culminating in the awards ceremony on the Connor Palace stage, where productions and students took home awards in 13 categories.

Best Actor winner Savon Harris of Mayfield High School (‘Coalhouse Walker Jr.’ in Ragtime School Edition) and Best Actress winner Calista Zajac of Magnificat High School (‘Roxie Hart’ in Chicago: Teen Edition) went on to represent Northeast Ohio at the Jimmy Awards in New York City on June 26.

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

CHAIR

Amy G. Brady*

CHAIR-ELECT

Brent D. Ballard*

PRESIDENT & CEO

Craig Hassall AM*

VICE CHAIR, DEVELOPMENT

Rick Buoncore*

VICE CHAIR, EDUCATION

Bob Helmer*

VICE CHAIR, FINANCE

Mark Ross*

VICE CHAIR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Paul J. Dolan*

VICE CHAIR, NOMINATING & GOVERNANCE

Brent D. Ballard*

VICE CHAIR, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

Bill Cosgrove*

VICE CHAIR, SALES & MARKETING

Andrea Hogben*

VICE CHAIR, STRATEGIC PLANNING

Jim Merlino*

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Heather Lennox*

Terry Adelman

Thomas W. Adler*

Himanshu Amin

Warren Anderson*

Steven M. Auvil

Ken Babby

Michael Baston

Teresa Metcalf Beasley

Gina Beredo

Jodi Berg

Laura Bloomberg

Jim Boland

Paul Carleton

Scott Chaikin*

John G. Chapman, Sr.*

James Graham

Lawrence H. Hatch

Amy C. Held

J. David Heller

Jason Hillman

David Jacobs*

Julie Jacono

Michael Jeans

Louis G. Joseph

Margy Judd

Patrice (Patsy) Kouvas

Edward J. Largent

Todd Leombruno

Joe Matuszewski

Heath Monesmith

Jon H. Outcalt*

James A. Ratner*

Sean Richardson

Luci Schey

William R. Seelbach

David B. Sewell

Doug Spiker

Sara Ellen Stashower

Kurt Treu

Leila L. Vespoli

Tracy Vigh

Daniel P. Walsh, Jr.

Frances Cudjoe Waters

Neil Weinberger

Denise G. Wells

Debra A. Wert

Jeffrey J. Wild

NATIONAL TRUSTEE

Thomas C. Stevens

TRUSTEE FOR LIFE

Oliver C. Henkel, Jr.

William B. Lawrence

Rena J. Olshansky

Victor J. Scaravilli

K.K. Sullivan

Lawrence J. Wilker

CHAIRS EMERITUS (chronological order)

Oliver C. Henkel, Jr.

John F. Lewis†

Julien L. McCall†

Forrest D. Hayes†

Glenn R. Brown†

Jon H. Outcalt

Henry F. Eaton†

K.K. Sullivan

Thomas W. Adler

Thomas C. Stevens

David S. Goodman

James A. Ratner

*Executive Committee

† Deceased

As of August 1, 2023

NEW TRUSTEES

Ken Babby Owner & CEO Akron Rubber Ducks

Jim Boland Partner/Chief Operating Officer PCP Generational Partners

Dr. Michael Baston President Cuyahoga Community College

J. David Heller CEO NRP

Teresa Metcalf Beasley Member McDonald Hopkins LLC

Joe Matuszewski Partner Ernst & Young LLP

Jodie Berg Past President & CEO of Vitamix Corporation/Faculty Director & Executive Director in Residence at CWRU/Founder of JLB Enterprises

Tracy Vigh Partner Deloitte & Touche LLP

Playhouse Square Board members welcomed RedCoats to their annual volunteer appreciation celebration, Thankapalooza, on June 20.

CENTER STAGE ! BENEFIT 2023

On Saturday, June 10, Playhouse Square hosted its annual Center Stage Benefit presented by The Cleveland Browns and KeyBank. Co-chaired by Dee Haslam and Beth Mooney, the event raised a net of more than $500,000 to support Playhouse Square’s arts education programs, including streaming initiatives, sensory-friendly performances and the social justice series. More than 600 attendees were transported to the streets of Paris as they enjoyed a cocktail reception in the Connor Palace and Mimi Ohio Theatre, followed by a seated dinner in the Allen Theatre. Guests had the opportunity to experience a performance of the KeyBank Broadway Series show Moulin Rouge! The Musical in the KeyBank State Theatre, and they ended the evening with dessert and dancing in the KeyBank State Theatre lobby alongside Moulin Rouge! The Musical cast members.

Chase Rynd, Beth Mooney (Gala Co-Chair), Amy & Stan Brady

Bill Litzler, Craig Hassall, Joyce Litzler

THANK YOU T0 OUR SPONSORS

PREMIER LEVEL

DIAMOND LEVEL

The Warren Anderson Family

Bill & Joyce Litzler

Leslie Millstein

Jane & Jon Outcalt

Kevin & Kristen Stein

PLATINUM LEVEL

Beth Mooney

Susie & Jim Ratner

Don & Cathy Sinko

AJ & Nancy Stokes

Norm & Denise Wells

GOLD LEVEL

Joanie & Tom Adler

Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

Thomas E. Connors

Deloitte

Corinne L. Dodero Foundation

for the Arts & Sciences

FirstEnergy Foundation

Patrice Kouvas & Austin Carr

Bill & Kathy O’Neill

Oswald Companies

Karen Skunta & Company

Laurel & Sean Stack

Jerry Sue Thornton

Leila & Tony Vespoli

Dan & Molly Walsh

Neil C. Weinberger

Debbie & Jim Wert

John & Jacqueline Woods

Helen Forbes Fields, Lorna Wisham, Darnella Robertson, Ariana Kirkpatrick

Dan & Molly Walsh

Denise & Norm Wells

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Thank you to those of you who shared your stories in our recent donor survey. We enjoyed all of the submissions and we hope Playhouse Square continues to be a place for you to make special memories with family and friends. Here are two we are sharing first, and more to come soon!

We have been donors since the 2015-16 season and season ticket holders since 2013-14. We look forward to new experiences when we visit Playhouse Square. PSQ is really a home away from home for us, we try and catch a show each month, whether it’s a KeyBank Broadway, Huntington Series or one night only like Jerry Seinfeld. Our jobs keep us both extremely busy, and by being season ticket holders we automatically create time just for us doing something we both love: watching live entertainment. Being donors enhances our visits with pre-sale access to tickets, the RJF Presidents’ Club and having an extremely helpful donor relations representative. Many of our visits are complemented by taking advantage of some of the great dining options in the Theater District.

Probably one of our most enjoyable memories is the launch party for the 2018-19 season when we heard from Chazz Palminteri and Captain Beverley Bass.

We started donating during the 1970s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris era… sometimes a hat would literally be passed around at concerts. The thought of losing those beautiful theaters was heartbreaking. We wanted to be part of saving them.

We later became formal donors, continuing to raise our donor level. We believe in live theater and are so fortunate to have access to such a cultural gem in Cleveland. Thus, we have included Playhouse Square in our will, so future generations can continue to enjoy it.

Wayne & Terri Mosley

Jane Wearstler & Eddie Williams

EDUCATION IMPACT

2022-23 SCHOOL MATINEE PERFORMANCES & STREAMING PERFORMANCES FOR SCHOOLS

8 IN-PERSON SHOWS; 61 CURTAINS

6 VIRTUAL SHOWS with 3 WEEKS VIEWING

88,734 TOTAL AUDIENCE SERVED; 43,210 IN-PERSON and 45,524 STREAMING

61,362 served with CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS WORKSHOPS

FAMILY THEATER DAY

30 COUNTIES SERVED

More than 5,000 guests came to Playhouse Square to enjoy performances, crafts and art enrichment activities as part of Family Theater Day on May 6! Performances and activities took place throughout the theaters, lobbies and Idea Center.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

Hiccup

Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School

Step Afrika!

FREE PERFORMANCES

Djapo Cultural Arts Institute

Dino-ROAR!

FREE ACTIVITIES

Crafts

6 CURTAINS WITH 2,891 ATTENDEES

The Carnival: An Interactive Experience

1,500 PARTICIPANTS

Flower Entertainment Fun Stations

895 PARTICIPANTS

LEADING LADIES

Leading Ladies had the opportunity to meet and hear from Craig Hassall at a reception in May. He shared his enthusiasm for his new role as President and CEO and for creating a new business plan for the next five years for Playhouse Square. Members then had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Connor Palace and KeyBank State Theatre. Leading Ladies also enjoyed a luncheon and a Q&A with the cast of Six The Musical, part of the KeyBank Broadway Series in August.

Interested in joining?

Leading Ladies is a fun way to get to know others and have an inside look at Playhouse Square. Membership is open to all at any time. No committee or volunteer obligations. Once you join, you will have access to four exclusive events throughout the year. Visit playhousesquare.org/leadingladies for more information or contact Leanne Dewyer at leanne.dewyer@playhousesquare.org or 216-640-8411.

Peggy Sobul, Craig Hassall, Karen Fishbaugh, Eva Jones

KeyBank State Stage Tour

Maryann Leon, Betty Silversten

Kathy Ader, Terri Mosley, Pam Hughes

Craig Hassall, Joyce Litzler, Karen LaFond, Cheryl Weaver

Karen Kappus, Diane Kennedy

“We’re excited to be leading Playhouse Square’s young professionals group, Partners, this fiscal year! We’re looking to build on a theme of Connection as we work on expanding our reach to other young professionals within the Greater Cleveland area and build a deeper connection with Playhouse Square and the district.”

MEET THE BOARD

At-Large Board Members

PARTNERS MEMBERS MEETINGS 2023-2024

Monday, October 2, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. • Allen Theatre

Monday, November 13, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. • Allen Theatre

Monday, March 11, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

• Allen Theatre

Monday, April 15, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. • Allen Theatre

Monday, May 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. • Kennedy’s Cabaret

Partners members can join a committee at any time! Contact Partners Coordinator Katie Remark at 216-640-8721 or katie.remark@playhousesquare.org to get involved. Learn more about the committees at playhousesquare.org/partnerscommittees.

Committees:

• Communications

• Education

• Encore Society

• Engagement

• Jump Back Ball

Liz Malloy & Tom Euerle PARTNERS CO-CHAIRS

Zoe Ingram-Molls & Ali Swift VICE CO-CHAIRS

Marissa Alfano Ashley Cifani

John Durbin Josh Linerode

Stephen Osborn Maria Smith

Jenny Tharp Alicia Trumbull

Katie Kimble & Katie Caporossi COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIRS

David Campobenedetto & Sarah Shaw EDUCATION CO-CHAIRS

Lindsey Jump, Ryan Herman & Alexis Fender JUMP BACK BALL TRI-CHAIRS

Jeremiah Guappone & Kristen Swinton PARTNERS ENCORE SOCIETY CO-CHAIRS

Jacquie Davenport & Megan McNulty ENGAGEMENT CO-CHAIRS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Gold Founder level and higher

AUGUST 28

FRIENDS CIRCLE

SUPPORTING FRIENDS TOUR

SEPTEMBER 9

MEMBERSHIP KICKOFF

SEPTEMBER 13

MOMENTS

DONOR CIRCLE

DONOR CIRCLE NEW MEMBER TOUR

OCTOBER 2

Visit

YOUR MOBILE TICKETING RESOURCE GUIDE

This summer we announced all mobile tickets. This means you no longer have to worry about misplacing your tickets or searching for them when you reach the theater – your phone is your ticket!

To help with the transition, we put together a guide with frequently asked questions, tutorials and more at playhousesquare.org/mobiletickets. Additionally, you can contact the Mobile Assistance Team at 216-377-2240 or mobiletickethelp@playhousesquare.org with questions.

September 29, 2023 at 7 p.m.

KeyBank State Theatre

Ten local dance companies are ready to take to the Playhouse Square stage at Dance Showcase presented by Terry and Sheldon Adelman on September 29. The annual, free event will feature a wide range of dance styles – from ballet to hip hop – plus a special guest appearance.

Local companies performing include Catherine Meredith & Artists, Christina Lindhout, Cleveland Dance Project Company, Dancing Wheels Company, ELEV TED, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Inlet Dance Theatre, SO R, Tabitha in Motion and Verb Ballets.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, especially longtime supporters Terry and Sheldon Adelman, we are able to present this event free of charge and open to all.

The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at playhousesquare.org or by calling your Donor Relations representative.

Terry & Sheldon Adelman