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Friends of Spotlighters . . .
Well, it has been over a year, since the lights last came up on our intimate stage in the square! BUT, thanks to your support and the many state and federal COVID emergency funds; Spotlighters continues to operate and plan to return to LIVE IN-PERSON performances hopefully in the early Fall. It is amazing when you have no auditions, or rehearsals or set builds, or performances - - - just how much you can get done for growing and expanding programs and planning for never before seen circumstances. In the past months Spotlighters has been carefully looking at how we operate and how we need to expand and broaden our reach - both for those on-stage, back-stage and those in the audience. The Board of Directors has been working to find ways to make our space safe for our audience members to return to our intimate space — and overall increase our audience comfort levels. We have several projects underway that will improve your experience at Spotlighters. We are also looking to expand our artistic and education teams. We will be posting more about those growth opportunities in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! One area that we need to grow is our Board of Directors. We are looking for individuals will a passion for Spotlighters and Live Theatre in Baltimore. Our Board is a working, hands-on board, that guides the organization through season planning, events and, of course, fund raising. We are committed to diverse and inclusive board. If you are interested in learning more about the board, visit https://www.spotlighters.org/board-of-directors Take a few moments to review the Board Expectations and if you are ready to help lead one of Baltimore’s oldest community theatres — complete the Board Application and email to AHSpotlighters@gmail.com As we start to plan, still in pencil, for our re-opening this fall we need your support. We are checking state, city and CDC guidelines for re-opening and for capacity limitations. We need to make sure we have the volunteers to assist with productions (ushers, box office staff, tech crew, etc) and we will need assistance with re-opening the building that has been closed for over 12 months. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, or wish to donate to the cost of cleaning and preparation materials, please email AHSpotlighters@gmail.com You may also donate online at https://www.spotlighters.org/partners Consider joining The 100! with a monthly donation to the theatre. Any amount from $5 to $25 to $50 a month or more will help the theatre meet our routine monthly expenses. We will continue to produce video content for our friends and family - - - it isn’t LIVE Theatre, but it is thought provoking and challenging. If you haven’t seen our YouTube Video: Our History, ... Their Words, take sometime and watch this powerful and moving tribute to America’s Black History, so often ignored or unknown - Click Here: https://www.spotlighters.org/board-of-directors.html We miss performing and having our audiences with us . . . and we have a full season and a half to make up for, so ... get ready for an amazing return to Live Theatre — in our intimate space.
This has truly been a year like no other!
. . . and thanks to you, we have made it through! The Spotlighters Board of Directors, the Associate Board and I want to take this time to say “Thank You!” for all the wonderful support we have received this year. Little did we know on March 16, 2020 that when the theatre went dark, we would remain dark for the rest of that season and into the next season! We still have no concrete idea of when we can officially reopen and have audiences back in our space to experience the Challenging and Engaging live theatre you love from Spotlighters. Our Board and Artistic Team are working on ideas to bring you theatrical performances via our website, and in the process showcase our local playwrights. We are also working on a line-up of performances for when we can once again turn the lights on! More information will be available in our E-newsletters and on the website as plans develop. Since March the theatre has had zero income from performances, a loss of about 55% of our budget. We were forced to shut down our education programs and furlough all staff and employees. We have been able to secure emergency funding from Maryland State Arts Council and from a few local foundations, as well as a PPP loan from the Small Business Association via PNC Bank to cover 2 months of staff payroll, rent and utilities. But even more important has been the donations from individuals that love Spotlighters. Your gifts, some monthly, some one time, have allowed us to pay the bare necessities without incurring debt during these uncertain times. For that, all of us at Spotlighters are forever grateful. At this time of year, I look back over the events and experiences of 2020, and the one thing I miss the most, is seeing the faces of our audiences as they watch live theatre in our intimate space. Being able to share a common experience with an audience is one of the most powerful things in our culture. I look forward to when we can do that again! And with your help Spotlighters will return to live performances in the future. Thank you for the support you have shared during this trying year, and I hope you will continue to support the work of Spotlighters as we work together to control and end this pandemic. If you have not become a member of The 100! . . . please give it some thought. A simple monthly donation of $5, $25 or more helps the theatre pay our routine expenses (utilities, rent, insurance, etc - about $3,500/month). For more info visit https://www.spotlighters.org/partners If you haven’t made an end of year donation, please consider making a donation at this time. We want to be ready to return to full operation as soon as it is safe for all of us. And, we appreciate each and every gift! Again, thank you for the great support this year; and from all the designers, directors, actors: we appreciate your love for Spotlighters, and . . . HAPPY HOLIDAYS
and HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
Did you know that you can generate donations while shopping at no extra cost?
Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/03-0547060 to confirm "Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre Inc" as your charity of choice, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price to our organization. 
JOIN THE 100!
CLICK HERE to make a monthly donation to support the Challenging and Engaging work of Spotlighters Theatre. Your support will help us meet the routine monthly expenses of the theatre that ticket sales just don't cover. Any donation - from $5 to $500 - is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your support of Live Theatre! 
PARKING NOTE:
Please plan time for parking and traffic in Mt Vernon. We will not be able to seat late arrivals for the performance until Intermission. Please plan to arrive at the theatre at least 30 minutes prior to curtain, and allow time to find parking in Mt Vernon. Thank you for understanding. Try the parking app - www.SpotHero.com DIRECTIONS & PARKING INFO - Click Here |
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Spotlighters Theatre Arts Drama Academy
Theatre education programs for youth in grades K - 12. Fall & Spring After-School (and In-School) programs as well as a Summer Theatre Academy! |
Help Spotlighters when you shop smile.amazon.com !
Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/03-0547060 and Amazon donates to Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre Inc.
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OUR MISSION:
To provide the Baltimore community with Exceptional, Diverse, Creative, Bold and Affordable Theatrical Productions, which entertain and stimulate both audience and artists. Spotlighters strives to enhance and increase the Baltimore community's appreciation for, and participation in the experience that is Live Theatre. |
