Contact: Tiffany Albright, Marketing Manager
Triad Stage, 232 South Elm Street
Downtown Greensboro, North Carolina
336.274.0067 ext. 203, tiffany@triadstage.org
Greensboro, N.C. – As it nears the end of its 15th anniversary season, Triad Stage is celebrating several major successes. Ticket sales this season have exceeded 40,000, a 6% increase over last season, and Season Pass sales for next season are ahead of pace.
During its 15th season, Triad Stage also continued to expand its cultural and economic impact on the Triad by employing more than 250 professional artists including many local artists in nine productions, among them the World Premieres of Don Juan (running through June 26) and Radiunt Abundunt. A highlight of the show schedule was Fences, the company’s first production by iconic American playwright August Wilson. The show exceeded ticket sales goals and brought hundreds of new patrons to the theater. Triad Stage also continued to cultivate future arts patrons by providing discounted tickets to 4,146 Triad area students to attend theater this season.
The theater is nearing another major achievement as it approaches the end of its fiscal year on June 30. At a donor appreciation event last night, Triad Stage announced it has raised $456,740, or 91% of its $500,000 special fundraising goal announced in February. Triad Stage launched the fundraising initiative to address current and future challenges for the professional not-for-profit theater as it moves into its 16th season of operation at The Pyrle Theater in Greensboro and its 4th season of operation at the Hanesbrands Theatre in Winston-Salem.
“We’re thrilled by the outpouring of support from the community for Triad Stage,” says Triad Stage Board Chair Mindy Oakley. “We’re excited about moving into the future and paying forward the investment the community has made in us.”
More than 150 businesses, foundations and individuals in the Triad have given new or increased gifts this year to support the special campaign, including VF Corporation, Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation, TOLEO Foundation, Cemala Foundation and Well*Spring. Including donors to the special campaign, Triad Stage’s donor base has grown to 694, a 21% increase over last season.
Triad Stage continues to expand partnerships and relationships in the community. Earlier this year, UNCG and Triad Stage announced an expanding partnership that will provide more professional opportunities for students and artists. This season the company also became the first arts organization in history to receive mission funding from both ArtsGreensboro and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.
“This has been an incredible season of success for us,” says Triad Stage Founding Managing Director Richard Whittington. “We’re making strong partners, welcoming new audiences, and continuing to commit ourselves every day to our Core Values, including Excellence, Imagination, and Artistic Risk. We’re making these proactive changes to ensure the next 15 years.”
The theater announced its 2016-2017 Season in February, which will feature eight production including George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man and Arthur Miller’s The Price, which is preparing for a Broadway revival next spring, along with the return of its family-friendly holiday shows in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Season Passes are currently on sale, and options include a 3-play Season Pass in Greensboro and/or Winston-Salem as well as a 6-play Triad Pass that combines programming in both cities at an even deeper discount.
Tax-deductible donations may be made online at www.triadstage.org/support, by calling the Development department at (336) 274-0067 x201, or by mail or in person at 232 S. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
ABOUT TRIAD STAGE
Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theater company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Bluezoom, the North Carolina Arts Council, Arts Greensboro and The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.
All Triad Stage productions feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards®, which named Triad Stage one of the top ten most promising theatres in the country as a recipient of the 2010 National Theatre Company Grant. Triad Stage has also earned accolades including “Best North Carolina Production of 2010” for The Glass Menagerie by Triangle Arts & Entertainment magazine; “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater” (nine years running), Go Triad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year” (2003, 2011), North Carolina Theatre Conference.
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