• Identify candidates for financial support and cultivate their interest by bringing them to Charleston Stage performances and events

• Be supportive and knowledgeable of Charleston Stage’s mission, activities and programs and be an active advocate for the company

Participation

Advocacy

While active participation is key to any successful board, Charleston Stage’s new board structure is designed to make the best use of members’ time, focusing on participation in projects and fundraising while keeping meetings to a minimum. The current goal is to increase board membership to 33 members. Responsibilities include:• Serving a three-year term• Attending four board meetings in September, January, March and May• Providing meaningful service on at least one board committee or fundraising project• Actively recruiting community volunteers to serve on Charleston Stage committees• Providing high-level expertise in areas such as: legal, finance and accounting, real estate

and construction, fundraising, audience development, human resources and labor relations, diversity and planning

A key objective of any non-profit board is to secure adequate financial funding for the company’s mission. Together Charleston Stage’s Board of Trustees raises about $1 million dollars annually.The key is to build long term partnerships with donors to provide long term support.

Personal Giving Each board member is responsible for personally contributing or personally raising a minimum of $4,850 each season. This includes:• A $1,000 personal gift (or gift from your company) • A Director’s Circle membership ($1250)• Selling 10 tickets to the Annual Gala ($1850)• Selling 10 tickets to the Derby Day Spring Fundraiser ($750)

Fundraising• Each board member is expected to provide significant access to potential financial

resources by leveraging personal contacts to support the work of Charleston Stage. Members are expected to personally arrange a minimum of 4 personal fundraising visits each season.

Board PresidentJennifer Murray

BOARD OF TRUSTEESGuidelines and Responsibilities

Charleston Stage’s Board of Trustees is a dynamic group of dedicated arts patrons who provide support for Charleston Stage’s professional productions, Guest and Resident Actors and our extensive education programs which reach over 15,000 young people each season.

Together we provide leadership and oversee Charleston Stage’s Annual Gala, Derby Day Spring Fundraiser, Director’s Circle Opening Night Society and UPstage, our young professionals group. Together we serve as ambassadors for Charleston Stage, raise over one million dollars annually, and along the way we have a lot of fun. We get to discover all the magical work and provide support for the dedicated theatre professionals who work behind the scenes.

Most of all, we’re proud to support South Carolina’s largest resident professional theatre and continue its 34 year reputation for imagination and excellence. Jennifer Murray, SCBT

SOUTH CAROLINA’S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles

In Residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre • American’s First Theatre

Associate Artistic DirectorMarybeth Clark

Giving and Fundraising

The Historic Dock Street Theatre

The Board of TrusteesJennifer Murray, SCBT, President • Dave Marley, Wells Fargo, Vice President

Suzanne Lynch, Wells Fargo, Treasurer • Natalie Parker Bluestein, Bluestein & DouglasJeanne Condon, Merrill Lynch • Jonathan Kiser, Group Dynamic Rentals

Monica Lavin, College of Charleston • Jennifer McElveen, Community VolunteerJohn Rosen, Rosen, Rosen & Hagood, LLC

Gregory C. Rothschild, The Carolinas Financial Network • Halsey Schreier, Clawson & Staubes Chris South, Blackbaud • Joshua Whitley, Breit Drescher Imprevento & Walker

Past Board Presidents Include

Barbara Burgess, Community Volunteer • John Darby, The Beach CompanyBelk Daughtridge, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney • Laura Hewitt, Community Volunteer

Celeste Patrick, Patrick Properties • Katherine Glenn, Community VolunteerBrandon Guest, Gallagher Benefit Services

Recent Corporate Partners Include

Blackbaud • BMW • The Beach Company • First Federal • Merrill Lynch • McElveen Automotive Morgan Keegan • The Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company • Publix Super Markets Charities

SCBT • SCE&G • Wells Fargo • Firefly Records

SOUTH CAROLINA’S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles

In Residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre • American’s First Theatre

Associate Artistic DirectorMarybeth Clark

The Historic Dock Street Theatre

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH CHARLESTON STAGE Join hundreds of other Charleston Stage patrons, donors and volunteers who give this great city the great

theatre it deserves. Through support groups and fundraising projects, volunteers raise over $1 million dollars each year to produce Charleston Stage’s full professional productions and help underwrite the

company’s extensive education programs which reach over 15,000 young people each season. Join us!

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE Charleston Stage’s Opening Night Giving Society

Join Director’s Circle with six gala opening nights and elegant receptions. Join the Steering Committee and help recruit new members and solicit sponsors to host the opening night receptions.

ANNUAL GALA AND AUCTION Charleston Stage’s Largest Annual Fundraiser

Charleston Stage’s Gala raises $100,000+ for Charleston Stage’s education programs. Join the Gala Committee and help solicit auction items, food and beverage donations and corporate sponsors for this event.

UPstage AT THE DOCK Charleston Stage’s Young Professionals Giving Society

Join this exciting and dynamic group of young professionals who enjoy special pre-show gatherings in the Dock Street Theatre Drawing Room and attend after parties at area restaurants and bars. Each event features a behind

the scenes look at some aspect of Charleston Stage’s dazzling productions.

DERBY DAYCharleston Stage’s Annual Kentucky Derby Party

Celebrate the annual run for the roses the first Saturday in May at Charleston Stage’s exciting Kentucky Derby party held at the Woodlands. Join the Derby Day Steering Committee to help plan this wonderful annual spring

fundraiser for Charleston Stage.

FRIENDS OF CHARLESTON STAGECharleston Stage’s Volunteer Support Organization

Join parents, volunteers and other supporters in providing hands on and fundraising support for the work of Charleston Stage. While the major focus is on the company’s education programs, volunteers also work in our

offices and lobby, usher and assist in our scene shop.

PRODUCER’S CIRCLEProviding Support to Underwrite Charleston Stage’s Resident Guest Actors and Guest Actors from New York

Join this select group of donors and supporters who provide the financial support to ensure Charleston Stage productions and education programs have the finest professional talent available. Members enjoy special

cocktail parties and dinners where they meet the actors they support.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEESCharleston Stage’s Governing Body

Charleston Stage’s Board of Trustees is comprised of community leaders, donors and arts patrons from throughout the Lowcountry area. Members provide fiscal oversight, long range planning and ensure that adequate funds are raised each season to support the company’s professional productions and extensive

education programs.

GET INTO THE ACT!

For More Information ContactCharleston Stage • (843)-577-5967 www. charlestonstage.com

Overview Charleston Stage has established itself as one of South Carolina’s premiere arts organizations. It’s 34 year history of stability, creativity and commitment to education has set the stage for growth both institutionally and artistically. To that end, the Board of Trustees has established these Next Stage Goals and Initiatives to lead the company to its next level of development.

Institutional Goals• To expand Charleston Stage’s Board of Directors from 15 members to 33 (the size necessary to

execute these Next Stage Initiatives)• To ensure the duties and responsibilities of board members are clear and that members

commitment of time, talent and treasure are efficiently utilized• Establish better defined circles of support to provide patrons of all backgrounds a place to provide

support for the production and educational programming of Charleston Stage (including Friends of Charleston Stage for volunteers; UPstage, a young professionals group; the Director’s Circle Opening Night Giving Society and a new Producer’s Circle which will provide funding for resident and professional actors)

• To transition to new CRM (ticketing and donor) software, utilizing the Tessatura system that Spoleto and other major institutions in Charleston will be using

Fiscal Goals• To eliminate remaining recession generated debt over the next 18 months (Charleston Stage has

already reduced this debt by $100,000 over the last 14 months) • To develop a cash reserve fund equal to 10% of the company’s operating budget ($150,000)• To expand the operating budget by 20% over the next five years (increasing the budget from $1.5

million to $1.8 million)

Artistic Goals• To expand the Resident Professional Acting Company from six to eight members• To expand the Guest Actor Program from four to ten professional New York actors each season• To expand the Guest Artistic Program to include guest directors, designers and choreographers

Facilities Goals• To begin planning for an Education Facility (leased or purchased) that would consolidate the

company’s leased scene and costume shops, rehearsal studios and classrooms and the company’s three storage facilities (not only would a unified facility enhance efficiency but would supply space to expand our education programs to even more students) Leadership Goals

• While Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Julian Wiles, has no immediate plans for retirement, he and the board are working closely together to establish a smooth transition plan for the future. This includes: • Ensuring Charleston Stage has a dynamic board of sufficient size to provide the support needed for the company’s strategic goals

• Establishing strong leadership for each of the company’s major divisions: Production, Education, Development and Finance • Establishing a two person operating model by adding a role of the General Manager

to oversee the business and development operations of the company along with the replacement of the Producing Artistic Director a the time of the Founder’s retirement

SOUTH CAROLINA’S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles

In Residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre • American’s First Theatre

Associate Artistic DirectorMarybeth Clark

New Horizons Initiatives