earning acclaim, serving saint louis eugene onegin - Opera Theatre ...

BRUNDIBÁR
FISCAL YEAR 2010
“Hans Krása’s Brundibár is a sweet, charming opera for children,
Opera Theatre’s dedicated board, donors, and patrons ensured
Scene from
Brundibár
a simple tale of good overcoming evil. In Opera Theatre of
St. Louis’ intense new production, performed Wednesday at
the Touhill Performing Arts Center, it becomes much more.”
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Brundibár by Hans Krása, directed by Doug Scholz-Carlson
and Gregory Ritchey in collaboration with video designer
Wendall Harrington, featured 26 cast members ages 8-18 along
with members of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.
This production marked Opera Theatre’s debut at the Touhill
Performing Arts Center which reached approximately 6,470
students and adults across the metro area. Holocaust survivor
Ela Weissberger, who performed the role of the Cat in Brundibár
more than 55 times while interned in the Theresienstadt ghetto,
appeared in each of Opera Theatre’s seven performances and
spoke to numerous school groups and audiences. Local arts
cable network HEC-TV broadcast a public performance live
that the company continued to thrive even in the midst of a
challenging economic period. Contributed operating support
increased by more than 6% over the prior year and has risen
12% since 2008 – a true testament to the extraordinary generosity
of our contributors and to their belief in OTSL’s mission.
Expenses were once again held closely in check and market
recovery allowed the endowment to rebound considerably.
The 35 th Anniversary Spring Gala was a highlight of 2010,
grossing more than $700,000 for Opera Theatre’s professional
development and education programs. Co-chairs Donna
Wilkinson and Carol Walker provided exemplary leadership for
the event and the community responded with an outpouring of
support, led by gala host sponsor Centene Corporation. Opera
Theatre was delighted to welcome Wells Fargo Advisors as the
presenting sponsor of the gala, and to salute the firm for its role
as the presenting sponsor of the 2010 festival season.
"The 2010
season at
Opera Theatre
of St. Louis
solidified the
company's
standing as
one of the
country's
premier opera
festivals."
St. Louis
Post-Dispatch
along with pre- and post-performance interviews with directors,
cast members and staff.
A broad, diversified base of support is the key to Opera Theatre’s
continued fiscal stability. In total, more than 1,300 donors in
Made possible with a leadership gift from Dana Brown Charitable Trust,
this community and across the country contributed more than
U.S. Bank Trustee; with generous support from The Staenberg Family
Foundation in conjunction with THF Realty, Inc.; and with special thanks
to Sign of the Arrow/Pi Beta Phi Alumnae of St. Louis, and Target.
$4 million this year to sustain one of the region’s most acclaimed
cultural institutions.
“… although critics really aren't supposed to review the
audience, this one – which ranged from waist-high to almostadult-sized
– deserves a word of appreciation: they were silent
and attentive, almost glued to the performance to an extent
unheard-of among grownups.”
We thank each of these donors for their outstanding investment
which has enabled Opera Theatre to end the year once again in
the black. Your support allows us to nurture the emerging artists
from around the country who will shape the future of the art
form, and enables more than 11,000 local students to discover
their own creativity through opera.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
14 EARNING ACCLAIM, SERVING SAINT LOUIS
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS | ANNUAL REPORT 2010
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