INTERMISSION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
EDUCATION & OUTREACH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
beyond our buildings
Venice Theatre loves to share the joy of live theatre with our community. Our programs are making a dramatic impact at schools, assisted living facilities, and other non-profit organizations in Venice and the surrounding area. We meet you where you are. Through programs such as Troupe In A Trunk, our Teen Improv Troupe, The Silver Foxes, and our TheatreMatters! partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs, we see firsthand how the arts make a difference in people’s lives. The Silver Foxes (see p. 47) can attest to the physical, cognitive, social and cultural benefits that come with performing. Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities build confidence, life skills, and experience the joy of performance through our Dynamic Drama classes.
In April of 2020 you supported us during the online Giving Challenge donating a remarkable $96,035.50. Because of matches offered by The Patterson Foundation and Dr. William H. Jervey Jr., that total grew to $288,106.50! In the fall of 2020, we were able to produce some small-scale live shows with strict safety protocols. Kristofer Geddie and Michelle Kasanofsky reopened the theatre with a cabaret called “Hope.” Lori and Murray Chase starred in A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters. Laurie, Candace and Kim performed The Vagina Monologues directed by Murray Chase. A few concerts and cabarets were added to the schedule, but after Dwight Icenhower performed an intimate tribute to Elvis, we had to shut down again as Covid cases rose.
These programs create performance opportunities outside of traditional theatre, bringing the community into the theatre and the theatre into the community! Please read on to learn more about VT’s outreach programs … theatre with a heart.
VOLUNTEER RITA MAZER WITH TROUPE IN A TRUNK AUDIENCE MEMBERS
In the winter and spring of 2021 we continued to teach, improve our spaces and raise funds. Under the leadership of Producing Executive Director Murray Chase and our board of directors, we kept our staff in place to be ready for when we could open again in April of 2021. It was then that Kiley and Casey Berkery wowed us with the musical john & jen. A few more concerts and cabarets kept us going through the beginning of May and then we closed for two months to begin renovations. The Jervey Theatre got a makeover with a beautiful new coat of paint and new carpeting. But before the carpeting could go in, all the seats had to come out! Add to this new bathrooms and a new bar and our main floor is looking great. We have many more renovations and plans to come as part of our Next Act Capital Campaign which you can learn more about in the pages of this program. Thank you for sticking with us during this challenging and exciting time!
42 Venice Theatre Shownotes
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB THEATRE MATTERS! IN ACTION
