Operating Support Grant
Operating Support Grant
Diversify theatrical offerings to increase participation from the larger Cook County community.
Kathy Neff: musician, Director, Fine Arts Academy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Emily Swanson: arts administrator at Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community; Kris Nelson: artist, teacher; Roxann Berglund: musician; Bill Payne: Professor of Theater at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Sam Zimmerman: visual artist, teacher; Liz Engelman: dramaturg, founder and director of Tofte Lake Center; Jessica Peterson: essayist, playwright, co-founder of Yellow Tree Theater; Erin Cain: University of Minnesota-Duluth Student Liaison
Kathy Neff: musician, Director, Fine Arts Academy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Kris Nelson: artist, teacher; Bill Payne: Professor of Theater at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Erin Cain: University of Minnesota-Duluth Student Liaison
ACHF Arts Access ACHF Arts Education ACHF Cultural Heritage
The Playhouse uses participant numbers, participant and public comments, ticket sales and class fees to evaluate each season's success at meeting goals. Play participants are involved in play selection each year and are asked to complete a questionnaire following each production. The questions include: ?What went well?? ?What were the gaps'? and ?What could be done differently?? The completed questionnaires are then discussed by the BOD to determine appropriate action. Each season's offerings are selected through a process of assessing projected community interest, performance space availability, cost and income potential, and artistic merit. The Playhouse uses participant numbers, participant and public comments, ticket sales and class registration numbers to evaluate each season's success. The participation levels ebb and flow over the course of years, and attention must be paid to their current status. Creating a welcoming yet challenging environment has historically resulted in regularly returning participants and a regular influx of new participants. The involvement of the community in play selections helps create community ownership and secure ongoing participation and commitment.The Grand Marais Playhouse adopted a statement that it was a Brave Space. It is safe for everyone to be who they are regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. The Playhouse has included community members from all areas of the community in its productions. Participation fees are kept as low as possible or are by donation. No one is turned away due to inability to pay for educational events. Scholarships are available to assist as needed. The majority of rehearsals and performances are held in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, which is fully accessible and meets ADA compliance. Differently abled community members have participated in many Playhouse productions. The youth productions are expanded as necessary, to include all who choose to participate. The Playhouse offers a family pass and a group discount to provide options of lower ticket prices. The Playhouse has one performance for each play that is "Pay What You Can" for tickets. The Playhouse recruits donations to cover fees for classes to prevent financial barriers to participation.