Case Statement 2019

COMPELLING RELEVANT

WE ARE THE NEW HUNTINGTON

LIFECHANGING ACCESSIBLE COURAGEOUS INCLUSIVE CREATIVE INSPIRING ESSENTIAL

BRUNER/COTT ARCHITECTS

RENDERING OF THE NEW HUNTINGTON AVENUE THEATRE COMPLEX

“We will create a space where people come to feel more alive, more engaged, more fulfilled.

To accomplish this vision we are restoring the luster of the Huntington Avenue Theatre, an architectural treasure built in 1925 as the nation’s first nonprofit theatre, and infusing it with 21st century amenities driven by inspired creative thought.

“We will immerse patrons in the creative energy of our city.

We are expanding to create a state-of-the-art, public

will be transparent from the street. This welcoming and modern 14,000 square-foot convening space will have its own flexible performance venue, as well as a café, balcony, bar, event space, and comfortable seating areas.

“It will be unlike any other theatre experience in the country or any other cultural venue in the region.”

— Peter DuBois,

Norma Jean Calderwood Artistic Director, Huntington Theatre Company

Greater Boston deserves a nexus that nurtures diverse thinking, the arts, culture, and in-person experiences that enrich us as individuals and as a city. Our new Huntington Avenue Theatre complex will be an inspiring and unifying location for theatre, education, creative thought, and social connection: a cabaret, a hive of activity, a welcoming place to be.

destination housed in a new contemporary wing that

WE ARE BUILDING BOSTON’S CREATIVE HUB.

BUILDING BOSTON’S CREATIVE HUB

The Huntington Theatre Company is embracing dramatic change. We are transforming our historic home on the Avenue of the Arts to increase our capacity for meaningful people-to-people engagement and the vibrant exchange of ideas through performance, programs, and collaboration.

BUILDING BOSTON’S CREATIVE HUB

BUILDING BOSTON’S CREATIVE HUB BOSTON IS A NOTABLE HUB FOR TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION, MEDICINE, AND INNOVATION. IT DESERVES A THRIVING NEW CREATIVE CENTER.

The Huntington Avenue Theatre stands in the heart of the city at the gateway to the Avenue of the Arts, an historic and important spine through Boston that links Symphony Hall, the New England Conservatory, MassArt, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. We are building Boston’s Creative Hub at the geographic crossroads where the arts intersect with the diverse neighborhoods of Back Bay, the South End, Roxbury, Mission Hill, and the Fenway, increasing our impact beyond our stage.

The scale of our ambitions extends well beyond our audience of theatre lovers to all those who want to see Boston thrive creatively through the arts, business, education, and nonprofit sectors. Our new public spaces and programs will increase our impact for generations to come.

This is why we’re embarking on the region’s most important cultural campaign with a $100 million goal to expand our theatrical productions, signature partnerships, and educational offerings, as well as to safeguard our future.

“The Huntington plays an irreplaceable role in making Boston an arts leader. It anchors our cultural life, helps drive our local economy, and is a staple of our thriving arts scene in the heart of the city.”

— Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh

THE HUNTINGTON’S BOLD VISION Four decades strong, the Huntington has played to an audience of over 3.5 million, presented more than 200 plays (18 of which went on to Broadway or Off Broadway), and served more than half a million students, community members, and other cultural organizations.

Now we are investing $100 million to create a new center of gravity in the city. This campaign allows us to be a force for change and inclusivity, amplifying our cultural impact in three key ways:

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

1. LIFTING ALL VOICES •• Promoting creativity and experimentation

•• Supporting emerging playwrights and actors

•• Staging theatrical works that reflect the diversity of our city and our nation

•• Removing barriers to theatre for all

The company of Man in the Ring (2018)

Attendees at a student matinee

3. CREATING A SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND COMMUNITY STIMULUS •• Attracting a new generation of theatre enthusiasts and artists through innovative programming •• Supporting Boston’s performing arts community through signature partnerships at the Calderwood Pavilion and the Huntington Avenue Theatre complex

OUR BOLD VISION

•• Fostering a creative economy

•• Providing a compelling forum for idea exchange MIKE RITTER

•• Serving students more comprehensively, with greater impact and reach

The company of Merrily We Roll Along at a post-show Actors Forum (2017)

2. BUILDING HUMAN CONNECTIONS •• Providing collective experiences that build community and a sense of belonging •• Exploring relevant and broad-reaching topics that make us think, feel, and connect

NILE HAWVER

•• Launching live conversations on and off the stage, opening our minds, eyes, and hearts to new ideas and perspectives

OUR INVESTMENT $100 MILLION BUILDING AND RESTORING

GROWING CAPACITY

•• Restoring and updating the historic architecture of the Huntington Avenue Theatre, a nearly century-old venue:

•• Expanding the scope of our theatrical work

–– integrating the modern amenities and comfort our patrons desire –– creating a backstage that harnesses contemporary theatrical technology –– recreating a striking historical veranda on the first floor •• Creating a dynamic 14,000 square-foot audience engagement center, transparent from the street, to serve as the Huntington Avenue Theatre’s new entrance. This spacious, fully-accessible, multi-story complex will incorporate: –– patron services and ticketing –– a café — open daily to the public –– an expansive second floor “living room” that will double as an intimate performance and event venue –– a balcony off the second floor of the new wing •• Establishing a new Production Center (completed 2017), a dedicated education space, and administrative offices

•• Broadening and deepening our education programs •• Fostering more opportunities for human connections •• Engaging and nurturing new playwrights, actors, and artistic companies

ENSURING OUR FUTURE •• Increasing our endowment to safeguard our future •• Expanding artistic capacity and maintaining our facilities •• Operating with long-term sustainability

BRUNER/COTT ARCHITECTS

performance space, a bar, and a balcony overlooking Huntington Avenue.

BRUNER/COTT ARCHITECTS

New Audience Engagement Center 2nd floor, “Boston’s Living Room,” with a flexible

OUR INVESTMENT

New Audience Engagement Center 1st floor, with the theatre complex entrance, a café, ticketing services, and a ramp leading to the renovated historic theatre.

CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CREATIVE THINKERS EDUCATING BOSTON’S YOUTH THROUGH THE THEATRE ARTS IS ONE OF OUR DEEPEST PASSIONS.

NILE HAWVER

Funded through this campaign is an even greater investment in the youth of our city and the surrounding communities. We currently invite students throughout the Greater Boston area to attend our theatre at little to no cost, often providing their first or only opportunity to see live professional theatre. We impact over 30,000 students each year from more than 150 schools with our awardwinning and far-reaching education programs both in our theatres and in the classroom.

The company of Merrily We Roll Along interacts with students following a student matinee (2017)

In an age dominated by truncated electronic communications, we help young people develop the breadth of their own voice as writers, speakers, and collaborators. Students learn to be creative thinkers and compassionate communicators, building their emotional intelligence and honing life skills that extend far beyond the arts. They are encouraged to discover their true potential in a creative and challenging environment that fosters professional and personal growth. Our new facilities will allow us to scale many signature programs like our partnership with Codman Academy and to expand our profound impact on students and their education.

NILE HAWVER

CODMAN ACADEMY CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL Our groundbreaking collaboration with Codman Academy integrates Huntington plays and programs into a humanities curriculum, helping students achieve academic success and personal growth.

OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

POETRY OUT LOUD

STUDENT MATINEES To see our theatre filled with young adults is a joyful experience. We inspire these students beyond the performance with pre-visit curriculum guides, in-school workshops led by Huntington teaching artists, post-show Actors Forums, and invitations to return for free with their families.

The Huntington partners with the Mass Cultural Council to facilitate this national recitation contest, reaching over 23,000 students across the Commonwealth each year.

EPIC: YOUTH Mentored by Huntington artists and staff, students create an original play centered on important topics that affect their lives in this invigorating after-school program.

AUGUST WILSON MONOLOGUE COMPETITION

DAVID MARSHALL

The Huntington introduces Greater Boston area students to the works of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson and coaches them to perform monologues for competition.

“As both a director and admirer, I know how important the Huntington is to Boston’s cultural ecosystem. Your support of the Huntington’s campaign will allow this magnificent company to expand its vital work on stage and in the community.”

— Mary Zimmerman, Tony Award winner and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient,

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

director of The Jungle Book, Candide, Journey to the West, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Huntington

AndrĂŠ De Shields and the company of The Jungle Book (2013)

WELCOMING OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY WITH A CORE VALUE OF RADICAL HOSPITALITY, WE STRIVE TO MAKE THE HUNTINGTON ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO EVERYONE.

REACHING NEW GENERATIONS

NILE HAWVER

ANITRA PIERSON

NILE HAWVER

In addition to our student tickets and education programs, the Huntington reaches younger audiences through 35 Below, where anyone 35 and under can purchase $30 tickets to any performance throughout the year and is invited to unique social events to connect with other young theatregoers. Young donors engage with the Huntington in a deeper way through The Hunt.

Young audiences enjoy socializing after the show

Huntington Community Membership Initiative reception

ELIMINATING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS

NILE HAWVER

OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY

The Huntington Community Membership Initiative (HCMI) works with organizations that serve low- and moderate-income patrons to remove the economic barrier to attending theatre. All members are entitled to the best available seats at any and all performances for $20 a ticket, and are invited to eight annual receptions. The HCMI has helped increase the diversity of our audiences by 100% since its founding in 2011, and in 2017 expanded to serve patrons of two additional theatre companies, SpeakEasy Stage Company and Lyric Stage Company. The program currently engages more than 245 organizations and 3,700 members.

Open captioned performance of Sherlock’s Last Case (2018)

We offer ASL Interpretation, Audio Description, Braille Programs, and Open Captioning at select performances to provide pathways for as many people as possible to enjoy theatre. Large print programs and assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

KATHY WITTMAN

ENSURING ACCESS

HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY TIMELINE

1925 America’s first civic playhouse opens as the Repertory Theatre of Boston, built as a permanent home for the Henry Jewett Players (in residence until 1929)

2000 Nicholas Martin is named Artistic Director

1982 The Huntington Theatre Company is founded by BU, led by Producing Director Peter Altman and Managing Director Michael Maso

2001 The Huntington’s education department is a founding partner of Codman Academy Charter Public School, providing humanities content for 9th and 10th graders

2004 Raising $14 million, the Huntington builds and opens the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts

1954

1986

2005

Boston University purchases the theatre facility

The Huntington is reorganized as an independent, nonprofit organization operating separately from, but in residence at, BU

The Huntington’s education department becomes the Boston home for the August Wilson Monologue Competition, giving high school students the opportunity to bring the characters of August Wilson to life

The Huntington begins its long-standing relationship with playwright August Wilson, producing his play Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, which transfers to Broadway

Angela Bassett & the company of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

— Michael Maso, Managing Director, Huntington Theatre Company

THE HUNTINGTON TIMELINE

“Opening the Calderwood Pavilion in 2004 was an important first step for us to expand our mission and dedication to our communities beyond the Avenue of the Arts. Now, with your generosity, we will reinvigorate the Huntington’s original, historic location creating a dynamic new center for creativity in the heart of our city.”

2017 The Huntington’s 35-year relationship with BU ends

2013 The Huntington receives the Regional Theatre Tony Award

2019 The Huntington Campaign reaches over 50% of its $100 million goal to build Boston’s Creative Hub, through the participation of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources

The Huntington Production Center in Everett is created

2008

2016

2018

NEXT PHASES

Peter DuBois becomes Artistic Director

QMG Huntington LLC purchases the Huntington Avenue Theatre complex and, thanks to the support of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, agrees to give the theatre to the Huntington

The Huntington receives the deed to the Huntington Avenue Theatre

Construction to begin on the QMG residential tower, which includes a new 14,000 square-foot lobby and audience engagement center for the Huntington, to be followed by the renovation of the Huntington Avenue Theatre

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Yvette Freeman, and Corey Allen in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2012)

Michael Emerson, Kate Burton, and David Lansbury in Hedda Gabler (2001)

— Kate Burton, Tony and Emmy Award nominee

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

“ Playing Hedda Gabler at the Huntington was a magical time for me. The experience made me a stronger actor and launched me as a true leading lady. The Huntington is a special place to me, and Boston is lucky to have this jewel of a theatre.”

The company of Indecent (2019)

“I first encountered the Huntington when I was in high school when we saw August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. It was an experience that changed my life and opened up my eyes to what theatre could be and what theatre could do.”

— Liesl Tommy, director of Top Girls, A Raisin in the Sun, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Ruined at the Huntington and Eclipsed on Broadway; Tony Award nominee and director of the films on Aretha Franklin and Trevor Noah

Haneefah Wood in Bad Dates (2018)

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

Nick Offerman and the company of A Confederacy of Dunces (2015)

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

T. CHARLES ERICKSON

PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE

We believe that every philanthropic investment in this campaign will strengthen the diverse cultural fabric of Boston, our Commonwealth’s youth, and the region’s creative economy.

We invite you to be a stakeholder in the Huntington’s bold vision.

Your charitable commitment will bring to life a Huntington Avenue Theatre complex where audiences and artists will intersect to create meaningful people-to-people experiences.

Your support is essential to our collective future. Join us as we shape the future of the Avenue of the Arts, securing the Huntington as the heartbeat of this creative nexus.

“Your investment, joined with others, will secure the Huntington’s legacy as essential to Boston’s creative economy and expand our ability to serve, enliven, and enrich the city.”

NILE HAWVER

— David Epstein, Chairman, Huntington Theatre Company Board of Trustees; President, COO & Founder, The Abbey Group

Haydn Gwynne in A Little Night Music (2015)

EXPAND

RESTORE

the number of performances we create, the audience members and young people we serve, and the arts organizations we support, as well as the scope of our artistic ambitions;

an historic theatre to its former glory and link it to an exciting and welcoming new support facility for artists, audiences, and community members;

SECURE

BUILD

the Huntington’s financial future and service to Boston for generations to come;

Boston’s Creative Hub to serve as an artistic, social, and educational convener on the Avenue of the Arts.

YOUR HUNTINGTON CONTRIBUTION

WITH YOUR INVESTMENT, WE WILL:

Patrons applaud in American Sign Language at a performance

GRETCHEN ERTL

“The Huntington is securing the future of the American theatre, nurturing new plays that will become the classics of tomorrow, introducing young people to theatre, and creating the next generation of engaged audiences.

The Huntington consistently proves that it is a cornerstone of Boston’s cultural community, and one that I am so pleased to support. I am proud to be part of this transformation.”

PAUL MAROTTA

— Carol G. Deane, Campaign Chair

The company of Sunday in the Park with George (2016)

NILE HAWVER

HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY 264 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 campaign@huntingtontheatre.org 617 273 1568

A standing ovation for the company of Merrily We Roll Along (2017)