Props! Winter 2023

Bringing you behind-the-curtain news and showing you how your donation makes a difference at Playhouse Square!

A MESSAGE FROM MICHELLE

As we enter 2023, I am torn between my gratitude for the past year and optimism for the new year. 2022 really felt like the “comeback year” for Playhouse Square. Highlights from the last six months include:

• A full KeyBank Broadway Series once again drew capacity audiences that saw our season ticket holders exceed 43,000!

• A sensory-friendly performance of Disney’s Frozen delighted 1,200 children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and other sensory, social and cognitive challenges.

• Yellow school buses lined Euclid Avenue with young, smiling faces pouring out eagerly to see a show in the fancy theater.

• Streaming performances and arts education programming reached more than 120,000 students in 26 counties.

Front

Jason Bogdany

Advancement Database Coordinator 216-640-8428 jason.bogdany@playhousesquare.org

Karen Bridegum

Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8419 karen.bridegum@playhousesquare.org

Ed Broderick

Senior Manager, Front of House 216-640-8535 edward.broderick@playhousesquare.org

Jason Brown

Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8421 jason.brown@playhousesquare.org

Meg Colwell

Senior Manager Volunteers & Guest Services 216-640-8559 meg.colwell@playhousesquare.org

Steven Deliman

Donor Relations & Special Projects Coordinator 216-640-8426 steven.deliman@playhousesquare.org

• The PSQ District was bustling with foot traffic from growing numbers of visitors and residents alike.

And yet, I know this year is going to be even more exciting!

The best of this Broadway season is still to come with blockbusters shows including Beetlejuice, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge and SIX in the lineup. Education programming continues to be on an explosive track as it is on pace to again reach record numbers of students throughout Northeast Ohio. And for the first time since the shutdown, Playhouse Square will again host Center Stage to benefit arts education on June 10!

February will be a month of transition as the curtain closes on Gina Vernaci’s consequential era of leadership as

President and CEO and rises for her successor, Craig Hassall. Craig comes to Playhouse Square from across the pond where for the last six years he was CEO of London’s Royal Albert Hall. We are thrilled to have someone of his international stature take the helm and will be excited to introduce you to Craig at an upcoming event or performance.

With every end there is a new beginning. With that, I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year and look forward to seeing you at Playhouse Square in 2023!

Michelle Ryan Stewart Senior Vice President of Advancement

ADVANCEMENT AND GUEST SERVICES STAFF

Leanne Dewyer

Director of Advancement 216-640-8411 leanne.dewyer@playhousesquare.org

Anthony DiBacco

Guest Services Coordinator 216-640-8553 anthony.dibacco@playhousesquare.org

Victoria Gray

Advancement Coordinator, Annual Giving 216-640-8417 victoria.gray@playhousesquare.org

Cheryl Helden

Foundations & Major Gifts Manager 216-640-8406 cheryl.helden@playhousesquare.org

Beth Kauppila

Donor Relations & Special Programs Coordinator 216-640-8422 beth.kauppila@playhousesquare.org

Meg Kearns

Volunteer Administrative Support Assistant 216-640-8551 meg.kearns@playhousesquare.org

Katie Lang

Donor Communications & Education Fund Coordinator 216-640-8664

katie.lang@playhousesquare.org

Claudia Medlin

Gift Processing & Data Entry Coordinator 216-640-8409 claudia.medlin@playhousesquare.org

Michelle Ryan Stewart

Senior Vice President of Advancement 216-640-8410 michelle.stewart@playhousesquare.org

Annie Singer

Advancement Coordinator 216-640-8407 annie.singer@playhousesquare.org

Sarah Stengel

Partners Advancement Manager 216-640-8408 sarah.stengel@playhousesquare.org

David Turner

Advancement Ticketing Manager 216-640-8432

david.turner@playhousesquare.org

Mary Winchester

Assistant Director of Advancement 216-640-8412 mary.winchester@playhousesquare.org

Cover: Amy Brady, Chris Connor and Gina Vernaci.

FIRST LOOK AT THE NEW MARQUEES AND MORE!

Last October, Playhouse Square announced an exciting new project to continue the beautification of the Playhouse Square District and transform the outside appearance of our theaters with new marquees and signage. Designed to bring the grandeur and beauty of the 100-yearold, fully-restored theaters outdoors, this next phase features dazzling new theater marquees, signage for the performing arts center’s resident companies and technology upgrades

for elements installed during the original phase of the transformation.

MARQUEES

The Connor Palace and Allen, Hanna, KeyBank State and Mimi Ohio Theatres – Playhouse Square’s five historic venues out of 11 total performance spaces – are being crowned with new marquees that complement one another and will add to the ease of wayfinding for guests and visitors. Each theater’s unique design – inspired by ceiling detail and other elements found within the venues – has a daytime and nighttime personality with video screens, music and lighting that can change color to match shows or seasons. The Bulkley Building is being outfitted with its own marquee to assist guests with locating The Helen and Outcalt Theatres.

RESIDENT COMPANY RECOGNITION

Signage adorning the Hanna Building will call attention to Playhouse Square’s seven illustrious resident companies: Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, DANCECleveland, Great Lakes Theater and Tri-C JazzFest.

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

Video screens and sidewalk kiosks installed eight years ago are receiving the latest technology upgrades for an even more dynamic visual experience throughout the Playhouse Square District.

Leading Ladies continues to provide opportunities for members to connect and engage in the arts at Playhouse Square. In October, members enjoyed lunch in the KeyBank State Theatre Lobby followed by conversation with two cast members from Les Miserables. Christina Rose Hall (Madame Thenardier) and Addie Morales (Cosette) shared their experiences as a part of the cast to open the national tour while working directly with Producer Cameron McIntosh. Leading Ladies had the opportunity to ask them questions about their life on the road and their time in Cleveland. Next up for Leading Ladies members is a January event featuring a mix and mingle reception, plus a presentation from Vice President of Education, Daniel Hahn.

LEADING LADIES

Leading Ladies is always welcoming new members. If you are interested in learning about the group, contact Leanne Dewyer or visit playhousesquare.org/leadingladies.

Mary Anne Leon, Lori Reagan, Ginger Marchetta, Kathy Moock, Cheryl Dunphy

Betsy Stueber, Sue Corsaro, Angela Connelly-Prada, Kathy Freeh

Leading

Sponsored by

Jump Back Ball

PARTNERS HARD AT WORK

Partners, Playhouse Square’s young professionals group (ages 21-40), are the masterminds behind Jump Back Ball. They are involved in the event’s planning process from the very beginning. They choose each year’s unique theme, solicit companies for sponsorships and local shops and restaurants for raffle donations, decide what type of entertainment to offer and musical artists to book, work closely with the caterer to determine the food offerings, and visit with other necessary

vendors. But that’s not all. One of their biggest annual endeavors is building and creating the event’s décor. Throughout January and February, you will find 20-30 volunteers spending countless nights at Playhouse Square using power tools, painting, sewing, and more, all to get the décor built and ready in time for the festivities.

Why do Partners members do this? It’s not just for a night of live entertainment and dancing or endless cocktails and

hors d’oeuvres. They genuinely care about and support Playhouse Square’s education initiatives like sensory-friendly programming and Disney Musicals in Schools. Proceeds raised through Jump Back Ball benefit those programs, and Partners know that the harder they work, the more the Northeast Ohio children, teachers, and parents will benefit.

Playhouse Square staff is eternally appreciative of all the time and effort Partners devote to this event. Buy tickets at playhousesquare.org/jumpbackball.

SPOTLIGHT: JUMP BACK BALL CO-CHAIRS

“We love Playhouse Square Partners because it has so much to offer! From bonding with others over shared passions to letting your creative hair down to building friendships for life, Partners is made up of people who are truly dedicated to the performing arts. We are thrilled to be Jump Back Ball Co-Chairs and are honored to work with such a great group of individuals as we bring JBB to life for 2023. Get ready for a night on the high seas!”

About Gina:

Gina Foti is in her sixth and final year on the Partners Board. She has been an active member of the organization since 2016 and has chaired Jump Back Ball once before, in 2019, when guests “jumped back” Across the Pond. In addition to her active involvement with Partners, Gina is

an avid theater-goer and attends all the KeyBank Broadway Series performances.

About Zoe: This is Zoe Ingram-Molls’ second year on the Partners Board. She was an active member of Jump Back Ball last year, helping to identify and book

the 2022 entertainment. In addition to her role as Jump Back Ball CoChair this year, Zoe is also an active member of the Visions Committee, assisting in the development of a strategic plan that will maintain Partners as a successful and desirable organization for those in their 20s and 30s.

To learn more, visit playhousesquare.org/partners or email Sarah, Partners Advancement Manager, at sarah.stengel@playhousesquare.org.

Zoe Ingram-Molls and Gina Foti

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE HONORS CHRIS CONNOR WITH FALCO AWARD

Falco Award

Playhouse Square presented the Falco Award to Chris Connor on November 21 during the President’s Dinner.

Chris joined the Playhouse Square Board of Trustees in 2004. During the 18 years he spent on the Board, Chris held the roles of Vice Chair of Strategic Planning, Vice Chair of Marketing and served on the Executive Committee for 15 years.

In 2014, Chris and his wife Sara made the largest family gift to Playhouse Square, $9 million to the organization’s Advancing the Legacy campaign. In honor of the gift, the Connor Palace – which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year – is named for the family.

The Falco Award, named for former Playhouse Square President & CEO Art Falco, honors an individual, foundation or organization in Northeast Ohio whose leadership, perseverance and dedication has contributed to the success of Playhouse Square.

President’s

DINNER •

•

Nick & Erin Reif, Kevin & Colleen Coyne, Chris Connor, Morgan & Dan Connor

Margy Judd, Craig Martahus, Linda & Larry Hatch, Tracy Brent, Chip Gear

Bill Hilyard, Gina Vernaci, Ronna & Darrell McNair

Theresa Ljubi, Todd & Jen Leombruno, Gary Ljubi

Amy Nadler, Nancy & Scott Drehs, Larrie Nadler, Gloria Fine

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE SALUTES GINA VERNACI

This winter, we say farewell to Playhouse Square President & CEO Gina Vernaci. Gina’s career with Playhouse Square spans 40 years – from intern to President & CEO. Her impact on the organization is undeniable. Her achievements include the expansion of the KeyBank Broadway Series from one week to two, and then three, creating the largest season ticket holder base in North America. But

that’s not all – she also secured and built the Broadway in Akron program. Gina played an instrumental part in the creation of the Education Department, which now serves tens of thousands of students, educators and families each year. She expanded our roster of resident companies with the addition of the Cleveland International Film Festival and the return of the Cleveland

Ballet, and led initiatives to position Playhouse Square as the region’s premier cultural, tourist and entertainment destination within a thriving theater district. We are especially grateful for her leadership through the pandemic, shepherding the organization through the closure and the reopening of our theaters.

Thank you, Gina, for all of your contributions to Playhouse Square!

Watch a special tribute to Gina at playhousesquare.org/thankyougina.

GRACE H H H H for PRESIDENT!

OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GOES THE EXTRA MILE

When the bus carrying 40 students from Cork Elementary to see Grace For President broke down on the way to the theater causing them to miss their show, the Playhouse Square Education Department jumped into action to give

them a memorable field trip. Education Programs Senior Manager Julie Wagner arranged a pizza picnic lunch for the students and got them into the next show. The kids and their teacher wrote to us to express their appreciation!

CHECK IN WITH THE SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES

Playhouse Square launched the Social Justice Series of performances in January 2021 as a part of our commitment to fighting systemic racism in our community. The series explores the issues we continue to face as a community and a nation through the perspectives of outstanding artists of color. Titles are intentionally selected to provide age-appropriate offerings for students in kindergarten through high school. Playhouse Square continues to provide this series, now as a commissioning partner for some of the shows, to ensure opportunities to learn about and engage with social justice topics are available to all. The results of the program so far are impressive!

GRACE FOR PRESIDENT CE R

13 SHOWS PRESENTED with 5 shows yet to play this season.

120,700+ STUDENTS SERVED with an additional 23,700 already registered for the remaining shows in the season.

MORE THAN 5,000 CLASSES REACHED DIGITALLY, with another 500 expected this spring.

Learn more about the Social Justice Series at playhousesquare.org/schoolperformances.

Classroom Connections Workshop Classroom Connections Workshop

DONOR CIRCLE SPOTLIGHT: AUDREY DECLEMENT DONOR CIRCLE

Audrey DeClement started working downtown in 1952, when she was only 17 years old. She was drawn to the atmosphere with all of the department stores, restaurants, and of course the theaters. She remembers being a subscriber to the Cleveland Ballet and Broadway when they were in the Hanna Theatre, and coming to the Palace for movies.

The [Palace] Theatre was beautiful with many paintings, the chandeliers, wrought iron and marble. It was like being in a palace!

Audrey has been an asset to Playhouse Square for so many years. Not only is she a donor, but she has been a volunteer and RedCoat since September 1982. She started as a substitute usher on Sunday matinees and now she’s back in that time slot regularly, wearing her RedCoat!

SPOTLIGHT ON: REDCOATS

Our RedCoat volunteers are an essential part of Playhouse Square. From greeting and seating guests, to scanning tickets and assisting with special accommodations and so much more, RedCoats ensure a smooth experience at more than 1,000 shows each year. There are many reasons to become a RedCoat. For Jake Komar, it was in the family.

“Why did I become a Redcoat/Star? I adore our theaters here in Cleveland. It brings me so much joy to see our theater district so alive in the city of Cleveland. I first started in 2017, when my grandma had a sudden stroke. She was a RedCoat for 30 years. As I was in high school, she asked if I could take her spot and I said of course. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s so nice to interact with guests coming to see these amazing Broadway tours. Yes, we get to see the show, but even better we get to see our donors and patrons smile and enjoy themselves as the stage curtain rises. Playhouse Square has given me a second family in Cleveland. I call Playhouse Square my home away from home as I am a senior at the University of Toledo majoring in nursing with a minor in military sciences and leadership. I can’t wait for the next shows in our wonderful line up that we have. Going into the new year, I hope to see new faces come through the doors from Euclid Ave. And it’s always nice to see our donors and those who have been giving back to Playhouse Square for years.”

Volunteers are always needed! Visit playhousesquare.org/volunteering to learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LADIES

DISNEY MUSICALS IN SCHOOLS

Presented by Dee & Jimmy Haslam Student Share Day March 13 PARTNERS NIGHT at Flanagan’s Wake March 16

You may have noticed a new mural in the KeyBank Concourse on your walk from the parking garage to the theaters. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of our historic theaters, the “Together We Shine” mural welcomes and inspires visitors while commemorating our history and looking toward the bright future of our organization.

Two local artists, Nathalie Bermudez and Alicia Vasquez, created the work of art. Both are known for their public art around Northeast Ohio, but the mural

at Playhouse Square marks their first time collaborating on a project. The two Latina artists were inspired by the diverse community in Cleveland and the power of storytelling for this project, centering their vision on unity with the theme “Together We Shine.”

As visitors walk through the KeyBank Concourse, they will see a collage of scenes where both Bermudez and Vasquez were able to join their artistic styles and imaginations. Guests will notice one scene of people dancing around a fire, which came from the

idea of how storytelling began and how it has changed over time. The larger-than-life, patterned blue and purple faces represent elements from the Earth working together in unity, while the stars they hold –and are seen throughout the mural – tie together the piece’s theme of “Together We Shine.” They hope that visitors to Playhouse Square will not only take photos of the mural, but also experience some joy in traveling through the brightly-colored different scenes in this work of art.

Playhouse Square Foundation 1501 Euclid Avenue Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44115-2108 Family Theater

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 2295

Hiccup

Junie