HELP US CLOSE OUT SEASOn 38!

Friends of the Arts,

Thirty years ago, when I walked into my first rehearsal as a student in the Playhouse’s summer youth program, smartphones didn’t exist and the internet was a novelty. Nowadays, we find ourselves in a digital world of on-demand media, automation, and artificial intelligence. I genuinely believe the live performing arts are more important than ever in an increasingly isolated and screen-bound age.

But while those shared community arts experiences are more vital now, they are becoming much more challenging to sustain. This Season, we saw major sponsors direct their funding away from our community-based work, instead inking corporate marketing partnerships with Live Nation and other large touring houses and arenas. We saw costs go up. And, of course, we saw cuts in government support.

But we also saw increased student enrollment, robust attendance, and continued, strong work from our professional and youth artists. The community is hungry for what we offer, and our team is passionate about our work, but we need the community’s generosity to power that work.

By making a gift to our End of Season Appeal, you are helping us turn the page on our 38th Season to get ready for our 39th. Next season will include dynamite titles like Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, and more. But it can only happen through the support of folks like you who truly understand how important live, local arts are for our culture in this current moment. Thank you for doing what you can to support the Playhouse — we need you!

See you at the theatre next season!

Owen Smith
Producing Artistic Director
Playhouse Stage Company