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The National Theatre Annual Report

The State of the Corporation

October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001

NT EagleFor the fourth successive year, The National Theatre is presenting its Annual Report via the Internet on the World Wide Web.  It is a pleasure to review for you our attractions, programs and projects, and some particular activities and achievements of the past fiscal year.

The goal and mission of the National Theatre Corporation is to keep this historic "Theatre of Presidents," which has operated at the same location three blocks from The White House since 1835, open, with top-quality live stage attractions on our main stage.  Additionally, through our outreach programs, we bring free programs and other services to the public.

We could not succeed without the wise guidance and dedicated efforts of our Board of Trustees: John B. Adams, Jr., Chair; Donn B. Murphy, President; Sterling Tucker, Vice President; Margaret E. Lynn, Treasurer; Patrick J. Daly; Secretary; Tom Mack; Trustees; Jack Golodner; Frances Humphrey-Howard; Victor S. Kamber; Carol Laxalt; Genevieve McSweeney Ryan; and Robert N. Snyder.  Marc E. Miller, Esq., is of counsel to the Board, and our auditors are Bormel, Grice & Huyett, P.A.  Loyal patronage is provided by generous annual contributions made by the supporters of our major outreach programs, and by our friends in the National Theatre Circle, Charles L. Eichenlaub; Lee J. Stillwell, Director, Washington Office & Managing Vice President, Government and Political Affairs, American Medical Association; Burson-Marsteller, Buffy and William Cafritz; Caruso Florist; Chuck; Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Cohen; The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.; Charles A Fazio and Vision Digital Media; Gannett Co., Inc; The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation; and The Washington Post Company.

Our achievements would, of course, not have been impossible without the loyal and robust efforts of our Corporate Staff: Executive Office Manager Natalie Forbes and Accountant, Tracie Powell, as well as our outreach program M.C.'s and Hosts: Todd Clark, Patricia Jennings, Gregory Lee and LaJuan Liles.  Management of the theatre is in the experienced and capable hands of our General Manager, Harry Teter, Jr.; Theatre Manager, Carol Hayes; Box Office Treasurer, John Loomis; Director of Group Sales LuAnne P. Origer, Concession Manager, Bill Conn; Head Usher, Beverly Ruffin; Head Carpenter, Richard L. Reynolds; Head Flyman, John Page; Head Electrician, Jerry Williams; Head of Properties, Richardo Whitson; Musical Contractor, Edward Walters; Stage Door Security: Bob Lawrence, Esther King and Elizabeth Doherty; Chief Receptionist, Vicki Lomax; and the entire House Staff and Backstage Staff of the National Theatre.

The Shubert Organization has provided us with first-rate productions and impeccable management services, for which we are grateful.  Gerald Schoenfeld, Philip Smith, Robert Wankel, Peter Entin, Elliot Greene and Peggy Delany, are always cordial, insightful, and responsive to our needs.  We are also very appreciative of the assistance of Robert Gladstone, Chris Gladstone and Janet Stein, all of Quadrangle Development Corporation.

MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS

The National was alive with a variety of shows this year which brought to the theatre large audiences young and old, from a wide demographic spectrum.  The presentations were:

WEBSITE: www.nationaltheatre.org

DEDICATED SEAT PROGRAM

Donors who wished to dedicate seats in the National Theatre this year were able to do so in return for contributions ranging from $150 to $1,500, depending on seat location.  A handsome brass plate was affixed to the seat, and a duplicate of the plate, beautifully mounted and framed, was available to the donor.  We continued to have significant success this year through the efforts of our Treasurer, Margaret Lynn and the Trustees on the Presidential Row Committee, adding seats both in the Presidential Row and throughout all seating areas of the theatre.  Newly dedicated Orchestra seats honor American Presidents, and the Presidential Row now includes Presidents George Bush, Jimmy Carter, William Clinton, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan and Harry Truman.  Many other individuals and organizations were honored with seats during the year.

NATIONAL THEATRE CIRCLE

These loyal supporters make a wide variety of outreach activities possible.  They have access to best-location house seats in the Orchestra for all performances, and the theatre considers them “family.”

MONDAY NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL

Our Monday music, dance, comedy and drama showcase was scheduled with particular attention to showcasing emerging artists and original material, and to reflecting the wide racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the Greater Washington Area.  Good audience attendance showed that we are successfully fulfilling a need and desire for the free programming of this long-running series.  This series was sponsored by the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation and the Trustees of the National Theatre, whose support we greatly appreciate.  On the bill this year were the following presentations:

2000
Sep 24 - SCREAMING PUPPETS MIKE YOUNG
Oct 1 - ALAIN NU
Oct 15 - ON THE LIGHT SIDE - THE BUFFO OPERAS - DONATO SORRANO -
Oct 22 - MICHAEL MIYAZAKI - WINDMILLS OF MY MIND
Oct 29 - OPA 9/11 AMERICAN TRIBUTE
Nov 5 - AND WHEN SHE WAS BAD... SALLY-JANE HEIT & CO.
Nov 26 - STAGE3 - THE MATCHMAKER’S GUIDE TO CONTROLLING THE ELEMENTS
DEC 3 - MICHAEL SNYDER - A SALUTE TO HOLLYWOOD'S GREAT TROUBADOURS
2001

Jan 29 - SOURCE THEATRE ONE ACT PLAYS
Feb 5 - DC BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION
Feb 12 - SEASONS OF LOVE - KRISTY GLASS
Feb 26 - STEP RIGHT UP - CITY AT PEACE
Mar 5 - A FINE LINE - MARGY SEIDES
Mar 12 - MICHAEL DELALA - SOLI
Mar 19 - JOE’S MOVEMENT EMPORIUM
Mar 26 - BAGELS TO BROADWAY - SARA KLOMPUS
Apr 2 - CARLA & CO. - DANCE PLACE MOVING COMPANY
Apr 9 - JESSE PALIDOFSKI TRIO

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE NATIONAL

Our free family performances continued to brighten weekends for children and their parents this year. Donn B. Murphy programmed the series.  Patricia Jennings was M.C., with Greg Lee and LuJuan Liles as hosts.

2000
Sep 16 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MAGIC OF MICHAEL CHAMBERLAIN
Sep 23 THE VOYAGE OF SINBAD - THE RAINBOW COMPANY + ARTS ON FOOT
Sep 30 FIRE & ICE - MAD SCIENCE
Oct 14 MALIFE NKRUMAH’S MESSAGE FROM ANCESTORS - BILL GRIMMETTE
Oct 21 THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE - THEATRE IV
Oct 28 THE RESCUE - INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
Nov 18 CIRCUS MILLENNIA - THE MYSTERIOUS STAIRCASE
Dec 2 SANTA’S MIRACLE - THEATRE IV
Dec 9 HOLLY FOLLIES - SUSAN WALL PUPPETS
2002
Jan 20 THE BIG ADVENTURES OF STUART LITTLE - THEATRE IV
Jan 27 WOOF BLASTS OFF - BILL WELLINGTON
Feb 3 RELUCTANT DRAGON - BOB BROWN PUPPETS
Feb 10 FOLK MUSIC - BRUCE HUTTON
Feb 24 MEET THE CREEPS - CHILDRENS' THEATRE
Mar 3 LYNNIE RAYBUCK’S PUNCH & JUDY SHOW
Mar 10 FISHERMAN & HIS WIFE - LLAMA DRAMA COMPANY
Mar 17 MAGICAL JOURNEY INTO LATIN AMERICA - MARIAN LICHA
Mar 24 THE MOONFLOWER - CLASSIKA PUPPET THEATRE
Mar 31 THE MAGIC OF JOE ROMANO
Apr 7 RUMPLESTILTSKIN - THEATRE IV

SUMMER CINEMA - 2001

Films were shown at the National Theatre during the summer months at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evenings in the Helen Hayes Gallery, where the national portrait of Miss Hayes is displayed.  Admission to these screenings was free.  The series was inaugurated in 1985.  Our theme this summer was

The films were:
18 June AMERICAN BEAUTY
25 June PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
9 July THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
16 July THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE
23 July MISS EVERS' BOYS
30 July THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT
6 Aug TOPSY-TURVY
13 Aug THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN

Projection Equipment for this series was supplied through the generous courtesy of Charles A. Fazio and Vision Digital Media.  Gary Schwartz provided keyboard accompaniment for The Gold Rush.  Donn B. Murphy programmed the series.  Todd Clark was M.C., with Greg Lee and LuJuan Liles as hosts.

NATIONAL THEATRE COMMUNITY VAUDEVILLE

Chamber jpg (3K)The National Theatre Community Vaudeville thrived once again during this fiscal year.  Natalie Forbes scheduled and managed the program.  Our performers traveled to senior citizen homes, homeless shelters, community clubs and other 501.c.3 venues across the Greater Washington Area.  The program continued to bring joy to hundreds of shut-ins and other disadvantaged clients, at no cost to the venues.  Contributions from our National Theatre Circle members helped fund this program.

TICKETS

Through the Special Patron Ticket Program, discounted tickets for our main-stage attractions were made available to seniors, disabled patrons and students.  Through the Annie Oakley Fund, free tickets were made available to students and groups of disadvantaged citizens.  In addition, many free tickets were provided to auctions in support of a variety of charitable causes, although it is impossible to supply the enormous and ever increasing demand for auction tickets.

DISABLED SERVICES

For visually-limited patrons, a live Audio Description Program supplied a live narration of the stage action for one or more performances of each attraction, and continued to be much appreciated by our patrons.  Well-trained volunteers from The Washington Ear provide the narration, which patrons hear via radio signal through headsets which are provided free.

For hearing-limited patrons, amplification was provided at all performances via an infrared signal which carries a direct feed from the show sound system to headsets which are provided free.

Also for hearing-challenged patrons, at least one signed performance was arranged for every attraction.  The Executive Office continues to assist disabled patrons with their particular challenges.

COMMUNITY AFFILIATION

The National Theatre is a member of the League of Washington Theatres, Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, the United Arts Organization, the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the Greater Washington Area.  The contribution Designation number is #8663.

STAGES FOR ALL AGES

In March, 2000, the National Theatre's mainstage production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, as well as Saturday Morning at the National and Monday Night at the National programs of folk-dancers, singers and instrumentalists were part of the "Stages of All Ages" program.  This "two-for-one" ticket program encourages adults to introduce children to a live theatre free of charge.  The League of Washington Theatres and The Washington Post Company inaugurated the program which is intended to introduce  children and young people to the magic of live theatre.

ARTS ON FOOT

In September of 2000, Saturday Morning at the National was the "kick-off" event for this downtown arts promotion developed and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Avenue Quarter.  "Passports" distributed at the National and other places were "stamped" as families and individuals visited the many galleries and theatres which participated with special programs.

VISITORS

Backstage tours of the theatre are given from time to time, by appointment, when productions are not occupying the theatre.  Theatre professionals are invited to the theatre for discussions and tours. 

FINANCIAL REPORT

The Annual 990 Tax Returns is available at the National Theatre Corporate Office, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.

Respectfully submitted,

Donn B. Murphy, Ph.D.
President and Executive Director

Go to Reports from Other Years

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