ACT Theatre Releases 2014 State of the Theatre Report

A Contemporary Theatre and Executive Director Carlo Scandiuzzi and Artistic Director Kurt Beattie are pleased to announce that Colin Chapman has been elected as the new President of the Board of TrusteeS. Chapman's two-year term of service was approved at the annual meeting on December 12, 2013. Outgoing President Charles Sitkin will now assume the role of Chairman. Several new members who have recently joined the board and are listed below.

In making the announcement, Colin Chapman said, "I've served on the ACT board for six years. I'm honored to take on a leadership role at such an important time in the theatre's history. ACT is preparing to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2015 and with that comes strategic planning and confirming goals for a fiscally strong and artistically exciting future. We held our annual planning retreat on January 11 and set our objectives to create a stronger ACT for future generations. "

2013 Results

Preliminary results from the FY13 budget, which ended on December 31, indicate that ACT will end the year in the black, with a modest surplus on theatre operations. ACT has 6,500 Mainstage season subscribers and 1,200 ACTPass Members. Combined, package ticket buyers are exceeding pre-recession numbers and contributing significantly to the success of ACT's earned revenue. The 38th annual production of A Christmas Carol exceeded the all-time gross ticket sales record and performed at 91% of capacity. ACT's 48th Mainstage season attracted 17,624 single ticket buyers and in its sixth year, the Central Heating Lab attracted 17,299 single ticket buyers to the various events created through partnerships with area artists. There were 473 performances and events in ACT's five venues in 2013.

Artistic Milestones

In 2013 ACT sent a show to Broadway for the first time. The 2012 world premiere musical First Date, in partnership with The 5th Avenue Theatre, had 174 regular performances on Broadway. Since 2005, ACT has produced seven world premieres by local writers on the Mainstage and has premiered or developed 22 new plays in various play development programs (ACT New Play Award, Icicle Creek Theatre Festival, New Works for the American Stage) which have gone on to have over 60 productions elsewhere in the country, many of them at top professional regional theatres. Several commissions and new works are in development for the 2015 anniversary season and beyond.

ACT's Future

The staff at ACT recently developed a three-year business plan led by Director of Finance, Sheila Smith. As ACT nears the 50th Anniversary in 2015, the board and staff will embark on a major giving campaign to strengthen the non-profit theatre's future resources. Maria Kolby-Wolfe, ACT's Director of Development, has hired established Seattle fundraiser Rebecca Lane as Major Gifts and Campaign Manager. Together, they will work with ACT senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and professional consultants to launch a campaign that will provide a strong base for ACT's fiscal and artistic health, and provide resource to steward our historic building that turns 90 years old in 2015. Still in the Early Stages of the launch, additional information about the major giving campaign will be announced later in 2014.

Sergei Tschernisch led initial campaign preparations and a feasibility study with The Collins Group consulting firm; he will continue to assist ACT on fundraising efforts for the 50th anniversary.

"This is a time of optimism for ACT," says Executive Director Scandiuzzi. "With the increased attendance and loyal base of patrons at the theatre, and a committed group of experienced strategic thinkers on the staff and board, we are confident that now is the right time to garner support for ACT's future. We've balanced our budget four out of the last five years. After missing the mark in 2012, we reduced expenses by $1million. Without compromising the art, we managed to work with reduced resources and come out ahead. Now we can move forward. "

2014 Officers of the Board of Trustees:
Chairman: Charles Sitkin
President: Colin Chapman
Vice President: Richard Hesik
Treasurer: Lisa Simonson
Secretary: Bill Kuhn

New Trustees:
Trevor Cobb Senior VP, U. S. Trust, Bank of America
Robert Diercks Attorney, Foster Pepper PLLC
May McCarthy President and CEO, Bizzultz
Naomi Minegishi Community Volunteer
Teresa Revelle Licensed Social Worker, State of Washington
Karen Shaw Psychologist, Private Practice
Kären White Director of Employee Relations, PACCAR, Inc.

Trustees nominated to new terms:
Laurie Besteman Retired 1st VP of Investments, Wachovia
Lauren Mikov King County Library System
George Ojemann Neurosurgeon, UW Medical Center
Brian Turner Retired CFO, Coinstar