Actors Theatre Hits 1st Deadline; Focuses on Raising $170,000 By Year End

Donors from Arizona and across the nation have come together to help Actors Theatre reach the first of three critical deadlines that will enable the company to continue moving forward through the end of the year.

Since announcing on October 28 a dire financial crisis that could force the company to close its doors after 26 years, Actors Theatre has received 343 gifts totaling $70,589.47 as of Sunday, Nov. 13. Actors Theatre needed $70,000 by Nov. 30 to begin production of Hunter Gatherers, the third of six shows planned for the 2011-12 season.

"The outpouring of support for Actors Theatre has been incredible," said Producing Artistic Director Matthew Wiener. "We are relieved to be able to stage Hunter Gatherers, hopeful the momentum will continue building to allow us to complete our season and continue operations, and grateful for the generosity at such a difficult time for so many individuals and families."

Wiener said that "we're now focused and working hard on the second deadline we need to hit."

Actors Theatre needs to raise $170,000 by the end of the year to complete the 2011-12 season and another $260,000 by the end of June to establish a solid financial foundation.

During the first phase of the fund-raising effort, 54 percent of those making a gift were new donors and 12 percent of gifts are recurring every month. The average gift amount was $143. At the same time, the company's Facebook views were up 141 percent, Facebook feedback had increased by 300 percent and traffic to The Actors Theatre website (www.actorstheatrephx.org) jumped nearly 50 percent.

"This grassroots effort has gained traction on a national level," said Managing Director Erica Black. "Our patrons, donors, supporters, volunteers, actors and friends have pushed out our messages to their networks and we have benefited incredibly from that outreach. We hope we're able to keep building on that momentum."

Black, who was recently promoted to Managing Director to put a concentrated focus on future business development, said additional steps to change the business model include developing profit-generating lighter-fare, off-season programming during the summer months and creating a strategy to diversify funding.

Actors Theatre's second show of the season, Next Fall, which closed on Sunday, Nov. 13, played to standing ovations and critical acclaim. One critic wrote that the production, directed by Wiener, was the best ever for Actors Theatre.

Ron May will direct Hunter Gatherers, which beings production in the next few weeks. The show will run Dec. 30 through Jan. 15 on Stage West at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe. Tickets are available online or at the Herberger Theater box office.

To make a donation, purchase tickets for Hunter Gatherers or for more information, go to www.actorstheatrephx.org or call (602) 253-6701.