Identifying Board Leaders

IDENTIFYING FUTURE BOARD LEADERSa theatre in transition

THE BASICS: WASHINGTON ENSEMBLE THEATRE

We intend for our theatre to be a physical and creative intersection for community and artists in Seattle, by fostering a love of theatre's humanity, utility, and vitality.

49 seat Little Theatre 9 ensemble members

actors, directors, designers, stage managers Associate Members & Guests: managers,

playwrights Annual Budget: $100,000 per year

$50K ticket sales $40K contributed $10K rental income

THE LITTLE THEATRE THAT COULD

Inspired by a 2002 University of Washington MFA class project by Jon Jory.

In 2003, 14 (recently graduated) founding ensemble members renovate the Little Theatre in Seattle’s Capital Hill neighborhood from a movie theatre to a stage theatre.

2004’s inaugural season of 4 new plays is a smash (critical) success.

By 2010, only 1 founding ensemble member remains + no more subsidized rent =

critical juncture.

PROCESSThe ensemble should

WET’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

IDEAL BOARD MEMBERS

Demonstrated enthusiasm for WET

IDENTIFYING LEADERS

A TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

THE PITCH

DOWN THE ROAD

RISK FACTORS

BENCHMARKING PEERS

CORNERSTONE

Los Angeles, CA (Geoff Korf) Mission: community engagement History

1986-91: itinerant 1992: settled in LA, commissioned by other

theatres 12 Board members

3 Lawyers, 3 ensemble members, 3 Managers: arts, nonprofit, Hollywood 2 artists 1 banker

SITI COMPANY

New York, NY (Anne Bogart) Mission: new work, physical training,

international collaboration History

Founded 1992 Summer training + year around producing

10 Board members4 ensemble members2 Arts managerConsultant (Board Pres)LawyerArchitect

A RED ORCHID THEATRE

Chicago, IL (Kay Perdue) Mission: new plays/artistic rigor/social

compassion History

Founded 1993 in 80 seat (renovated) theatre2004: first 3 production season

6 Board members2 lawyersEntrepreneurCEOCorporate strategy consultantFirefighter

RUDE MECHANICALS

Austin, TX (Nicole Del Giudice) Mission: collaboration, socially conscious work,

mentor young artists, alliances with other artists

Founded in 1995, tours off-Broadway 6 Artistic Directors, 30 member ensemble 10 member Board

President: local CDO VP: local arts manager Treasurer: entrepreneur Secretary: UT faculty Members: 2 entrepreneurs, 3 UT faculty, arts mgr

12 member Advisory Council

Any Questions?