Dear Friends of Berkeley Playhouse,

I know that many of you have given generously to us throughout the year and like me, you are deluged with numerous requests for heartfelt funding appeals. So you might be asking why does Berkeley Playhouse, a company who handsomely produces spectacular shows and education programs, need your limited donor funds?

It may be surprising to learn that only 30% of what the Playhouse needs to survive comes from ticket sales and fees. And only 50% of tuition pays for our educational programs.

Without funding from donors like you, we would have to turn off the lights and close our doors.

Our goal is to continue to attract the best directors, actors, designers and teachers we can afford so that we can offer your children the best education in musical theatre arts and you, the best family entertainment experience. But there is still so much more we need to do. We have been hit hard this year with an unprecedented amount of financial aid requests. We don’t want to turn any child away.

In addition we want to expand our programs to include more children from economically diverse backgrounds so that they too can be exposed to musical theatre arts at its best.

Without your help. we would not be able to maintain, expand or improve the quality of what we produce. Your donation can make a difference in the lives of these children.

We acknowledge that you already support us through tickets, tuition and volunteer time, but the reality is, it’s still not enough to maintain a historic, 102 year old building and all we do within these walls.

Our new Managing Director, Lauren Hewitt and I share a vision that will make Berkeley Playhouse one of the finest, regional theatres companies in town and a model for meaningful family-musical theatre and new musical development that is intelligent, relevant and soul stirring. Your support will help us keep up this great momentum!

Please, won’t you consider a donation to this worthwhile organization at this time?  Public Funding is key to the survival of our organization. Not only do you help us pay our bills, our incredible staff and teaching artists, the magic producing directors and artistic crew, but you’ll help us afford  many other things you’ve asked for:

•    A donation of $25.00 will fund one free ticket for a child to see a school matinee and take this program out of hiatus.
•    A donation of $100.00 will fund a five-pack of booster seats.
•    A donation of $500.00 will provide two scholarships for music theatre classes or one scholarship for summer music theatre camp.
•    A donation of $1,000 will help fund our drives for lighting and sound improvements, wheelchair seating and access, assisted hearing devices, bathroom repairs, and lobby and outdoor patron improvements.

I hope you will join us in supporting Berkeley Playhouse this year. We wish you and yours a magical and loving holiday season and a fabulous, festive New Year!

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO BERKELEY PLAYHOUSE TODAY

Elizabeth McKoy,                                                     Lauren Hewitt,
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR                                    MANAGING DIRECTOR