Intiman Announces Melaine Bennett As Director Of Development

Intiman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher, Managing Director Brian Colburn and Board President Susan J. Leavitt, announces that Melaine Bennett has joined its staff as Director of Development. Bennett will officially begin work at Intiman on March 2, prior to the end of this season's fiscal year, as Intiman launches new fundraising efforts following the successful completion of its Dramatically Different campaign.

Bennett comes to Intiman with more than 10 years experience as a Development Director at major theaters around the country, including South Coast Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse and Theater of the Stars in Atlanta. She received her M.F.A. from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival under the leadership of Kevin Maifeld. As Intiman's Director of Development, she will oversee operating and endowment fundraising efforts, which include annual fund and major gifts campaigns; corporate, government and foundation grants; and special events including the annual Gala.

Dramatically Different, launched in April 2006, was a three-year, $5 million capacity-building initiative designed to address significant funding needs of the Theatre and stabilize its financial position. The campaign successfully concludes this month ahead of schedule, and has allowed Intiman to increase its endowment to $3.6 million (from $2 million); establish its first Plant & Equipment Fund, which is being used for equipment upgrades throughout the building, including significant upgrades to the theatre's lighting capacity; and support ongoing artistic programming.

"On behalf of the Intiman Board," says Leavitt, "I am grateful to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to the campaign, and all the donors who stepped forward with their support. We are pleased that Dramatically Different reached such a range of contributors, including both individuals (long-standing supporters of the Theatre and new donors) and major Seattle foundations including The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Norcliffe Foundation and The Faro Foundation."

Individual gifts ranged from $50 to more than $500,000, and there was 100% participation from the Intiman Board of Trustees. Moya Vazquez, a former Intiman Board President, and Ron McCollum, a founding Director of the Intiman Foundation Board, served as Co-Chairs. They were joined in their efforts by Intiman's Board of Trustees, a Campaign Committee and an Honorary Committee.

"Part of what drew me to Intiman was how openly and responsibly the Theatre has dealt with its financial challenges," says Brian Colburn, who joined Intiman as Managing Director in November 2008. "Under the leadership of Bart, the Board and former Managing Director Laura Penn, Dramatically Different asked our community to invest in Intiman and secure its future, and we are grateful to all the donors who stepped forward to help make our organization stronger.

"In the current economic climate," Colburn continues, "we will continue to do what Intiman does best: produce work that is bold, essential and responsive to this hopeful and tumultuous moment in history and promotes a generous dialogue with our audience. As we continue to focus on debt reduction and financial stability, I am thrilled that Melaine is joining our staff. Her skills in fundraising and commitment to mission-based programming and collaborative strategic planning make her an ideal addition to our leadership team."

Guided by the vision of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher and Managing Director Brian Colburn, Intiman Theatre is nationally acclaimed for its history of milestone productions and engagement with its community. Intiman produces classics and new plays - work created by artists who make their homes in Seattle and artists from across the country, recognized masters of their craft and exciting new voices. It offers free public programs that extend from intimate conversations in its Seattle Center home to innovative opportunities for youth participation and civic engagement through the American Cycle series. Programs for students include Living History, winner of the Golden Apple Award, which tours annually to schools from Seattle to rural communities in Eastern Washington. Intiman has received many honors including the 2006 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

Intiman Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following major donors for their institutional support: The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Ameriprise Financial, ArtsFund, The Boeing Company, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, John Graham Foundation, Hafer Family Foundation, Intiman Theatre Foundation, Kreielsheimer Remainder Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Nesholm Family Foundation, The Norcliffe Foundation, PONCHO, Safeco Insurance, The Shubert Foundation, The Seattle Foundation, U.S. Bancorp Foundation, and WaMu. Additional funding is received from Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, City of Seattle; 4Culture; Metropolitan King County Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Washington State Arts Commission.

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