May 17, 2019
ADDISON, TX – WaterTower Theatre today unveiled a new fundraising campaign, titled Ignite the Mission, with a simple yet critical objective: to continue delivering the innovative and high-quality programming its patrons have come to expect.
“WaterTower is committed to building community through diverse storytelling—and we take that mission very seriously,” says the organization’s new Producing Artistic Director, Shane Peterman. “But when nationwide demand for live entertainment is down and production costs are up, we need to be realistic and work quickly to secure our future.”
Since assuming his role on March 1, Peterman has already responded effectively to some of WaterTower’s most immediate needs using an approach centered on sound programming and smart business planning. The theater has scaled back its full-time staff, announced a crowd-pleasing new season lineup, and planned a new educational initiative for the summer of 2020 that will enable young artists to train and work alongside regional professionals both on and off stage.
Now, with the help of the Ignite the Mission campaign, WaterTower Theatre hopes to further replenish its financial resources and ensure its ability to serve North Texas for generations to come. At the same time, the organization hopes to re-invigorate North Texans’ passion and support for the arts by giving community members the opportunity to invest personally in the theater’s future.
“This campaign is about renewing our place in this community and reminding the world why theatre matters—now more than ever,” says Kelsey Leigh Ervi, Associate Artistic Director.
With an initial goal of raising $150,000 by September 30, 2019, WaterTower plans to combine grass-roots fundraising efforts with personal donor engagement. The Ignite the Mission campaign promises that no amount donated is too small, and donors will be able to contribute as frequently as they wish.
Furthermore, WaterTower Theatre encourages donors to share the campaign and their own stories about the importance of theatre using the hashtag #WTTIgniteTheMission on Instagram. Use of the hashtag automatically places users in the entry pool for up to eight random prize drawings, where winners may receive anything from concession gift certificates to a 2019-20 season subscription. To stay in the loop, follow the campaign’s progress via social media and the WaterTower website.
“Whether you’re a loyal subscriber or you’ve never seen a show here before, we want you to know your contribution counts in our collective story,” Peterman asserts. “We wouldn’t be here without you, and we cannot do this without you. Let’s ignite our future together.”
Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.watertowertheatre.org/ignite-the-mission.
About WaterTower Theatre
Founded in 1996, WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is one of Texas' leading professional theatre companies and one of the flagship arts institutions in North Texas, having played an important role as a leader in developing new talent and encouraging the growth of the DFW artistic community through its commitment to hiring local artists. WaterTower Theatre is consistently recognized for its artistic excellence by the Dallas Theatre League, DFW Theatre Critics Forum, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others. WaterTower Theatre has a subscription base of more than 2,000 subscribers and serves an audience of over 24,000 patrons annually.
WaterTower Theatre is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. WaterTower Theatre relies on its ticket income and generous donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government organizations to produce world-class live professional theatre and to offer community engagement and arts education programs. WaterTower Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Town of Addison, The Shubert Foundation, TACA, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. WaterTower Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season is also supported, in part, through the generosity of its Producers Circle, including civic, corporate, and foundation donors AMLI Residential, Atmos Energy, FASTSIGNS Carrollton, Frost Bank, ONCOR, Slalom, Veritex Community Bank, Whole Foods, and individual donors Don and Barbara Daseke, The Bob Downs Family, Stan Graner and Jim McBride, Phillip and Janeva Longacre, Tom and Holly Mayer, Kathy Messina and Gary Goodwin, Janiece and Jimmy Niemann, Karol Omlor, Paul and Norma Schultz, Jack and Libby Swindle, Deborah and Craig Sutton, Ron and Donna Whitehead.