Annual_Report-2015

Reflections
Annual
Report
O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 4— SEPTE M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
4 7 T H YEAR , A YEAR OF P R O G R E S S
2015 was a very good year. This report reflects the incredible support we had from our many partners.
We finished the year with a modest surplus and an improved cash position. Income exceeded budget with expenses under budget.
Our expenses represent an investment of $10,000 in each KID. These KIDS, ages 15 to 20 receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience both on and
off the stage. Support from our contributors and performance sponsors make it all possible. We are most grateful and thank you for perpetuating
this important state treasure.
We are excited to see the positive reaction to our “Realize Your Dream” program. Now in its second year we reached 850 young people with this
free outreach opportunity. The program positively impacts our relationships with our constituencies and communities statewide.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to
presenting the 2016 Kids from Wisconsin in their 48th
season. On with the show!
Sincerely,
Dr. Joe deGuzman
Board President
A Note from our Producer
One of the delights of serving as KIDS producer is watching old and new mingle together – new staff joining veteran leaders, new KIDS alongside
returning KIDS, communities experiencing a KIDS show for the first time along with communities that have hosted 40 plus years of KIDS performances,
and 33 current KIDS meeting many of our KIDS alumni all summer long. From my vantage point, I get to see it all!
The 2015 KIDS troupe came together in June, half of them brand new to the experience, led by new choreographers joining our longtime artistic
staff. In July, a first time performance in Milwaukee’s Washington Park followed two days later by our 28 th year of performances in Manitowoc.
This blend of new and old is what keeps our program going year after year, for 47 summers.
Our show opened this year with the KIDS singing, “There’s no
place we’d rather be than here with you!” The positive energy
is shared by our KIDS, alumni, staff, audiences, parents,
sponsors, and donors, new and old.
Looking ahead to 2016!
Mark S. Dorn
Kids from Wisconsin Producer
Excited and ready to go for the June 24th Premier Performance which benefited the
“Realize Your Dream” program.

5200
Miles traveled
BAND: The 2015 band was a tremendous hit
with our audiences. Its 13 pieces had the audience
cheering for more and often drawing standing
ovations.
DANCE: This year’s show included some spicy
Latin moves and fast-moving variety in our
Broadway presentation.
“Bullets Over Broadway” was an exciting and
entertaining segment. Our KIDS danced and
sang 8 numbers from the 1920’s and 30’s and
the audience cheered. Bullets over Broadway
was selected as the #1 favorite in our audience
survey.
TOUR : Traveling 5200 miles took the troupe
across the state into all regions, performing 60
shows. The show attracted record crowds with
numerous sell outs which made our presenters
smile.
2015 KIDS BY THE NUMBERS
“I wouldn't take back any moment of the summer. The friends and memories that I have made in a few
short months will last for a lifetime. I've seen so many new places as well and experienced different
venues and crowds which is very helpful in the career that I'm looking into. I'd love to do it again.” -
Anonymous 2015 KID
“KIDS overall was an incredible and unforgettable experience that I will treasure forever. The relationships
and friendships I have formed this summer are such a blessing and I would have never made
such incredible connections if it weren't for this organization. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to
do what I love and perform with such talented and professional peers “ Anonymous 2015 KID
Comments from our Presenters Survey:
2015 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Well done. My Kiwanis club has hosted the KIDS for 20 years, I have been chair for 20 years.
Every year I marvel at the performance. Outstanding.”
“Good music for a diverse audience.”
Comments from our Audience Survey:
“We went to numerous shows. I was never disappointed. The show flowed from one song to the
next very well. Excellent choice of music and well performed. ”
“The KIDS performances are always amazing! I appreciate the professionalism and enthusiasm of
the performers!”
“I travel about 100 miles each year to see the Kids performance.”
“It was totally amazing. Honestly I thought it was the best I've seen of the kids in 50 years.”
Comment from a Parent
OUTREACH: 20 outreach sessions engaged
850 youth. Highlights included:
A full orchestra, including strings in Marshfield
100 inner city youth in Washington Park, Milw.
140 youth in Wisconsin Rapids
Q U O T E S AB O U T O U R 2 0 1 5 S E AS O N
We are excited about our collaborative efforts
with Boys and Girls Clubs and other non-profit
organizations.
DONORS: The KIDS organization depends on a
diverse group of individual, business, foundation
and corporate supporters. This year 516 donors
contributed over $200,000. Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS: Many opportunities for involvement
on tour and in the office, brought us a very
dedicated, enthusiastic group of parents and
friends. We can’t do what we do without the
help of our many volunteers.
STAFF: Superlative professionals work together
to train our troupe and produce a fabulous
show. The tour staff brings their professional
skills to every show while ensuring the
well being or our KIDS.
"To watch our daughter grow and flourish in the company of such a talented and professional
troupe and staff, has been life changing for our family!”
Bill and Debbie Chiasson
516
Donors
52
Songs
6336
Meals
Provided
6000
daily to see
the KIDS
WI State Fair
33 KIDS
Represent
32 Counties
In 2015
120,000
Audience
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
REFLECTS
What a terrific group of hard working, talented
KIDS we had in 2015. The KIDS had
their heart and soul into doing their job this
summer….they did it very well.
The beautiful portrait of a KIDS experience is
painted with tradition, talent , hard work and
the lifelong friendships that are formed. This
years portrait was a masterpiece.
-Executive Director, Tina Weiss
SCHOLARSHIP
SPONSOR REFLECTS
“Having been blessed beyond all expectations
through my own experience as a Kid, it was an
honor to contribute to a fellow musician's participation
in this opportunity. I know firsthand
that the habits cultivated by the Kids from Wisconsin
- discipline, hard work, and an aspiration
for perfection - bear fruit for a lifetime in
any pursuit, and I’m confident they will do the
same for Will.”
-Anonymous Scholarship Sponsor

Realizing Dreams
Connecting With Future Performers and Engaging Communities
This years outreach program, “Realize Your Dream",
was expanded further with the help of a new Outreach
Coordinator, Peggy Morgan Strimple. Peggy
brought her expert knowledge and experience with
younger performers to the table.
Throughout the 2015 season the troupe connected
with over 20 different groups across the state.
This years outreach offered some unique opportunities
to connect area youth with the performing arts.
One that stands out is the Jamboree that was held in
Milwaukee. July 15th was an afternoon of sharing
the KIDS experience with inner-city dance
troupes and organizations, followed by a demonstration
by the performance companies that
participated. The whole neighborhood joined
us for an evening performance.
Quotes from the 2015 “Realize Your Dream”
“Please come back to Sun Prairie to teach this
again! The kids here LOVED it. “ - Parent of a
participant“
"I really liked that I got a peak inside KIDS. It
made me want to be a part of it even more! I'll
be auditioning next year!" - Participant
"It was a great experience for the students in our
instrumental programs to rehearse with the KIDS
band. It was a motivating experience for
them. Our middle school choir participants had a
blast. The outreach will contribute to future interest
from our student body to be involved in these
kind of productions." - Phil Smyth, Orchestra
Director at Marshfield Public Schools
Connect and Engage
OBJECTIVES
Generate enthusiasm for continuing
the pursuit of a performance
career
Provide a free, hands-on performing
arts opportunity
Recognize what it takes to be
a performer with the Kids from
Wisconsin
Support music education
throughout the state
Getting Ready for 2016
More NEW BOOKINGS…..TALENTED KIDS…….CAN’T WAIT
The outreach programs are helping to build a wider audience demographic.
2015 was certainly a fine year for the KIDS and we will build on those successes in 2016. Auditions will commence at the end of February and
the 2016 troupe will be selected by March. We can’t wait to meet the talented 2016 KIDS. Every year some KIDS age out and must be replaced.
Guess what...we do it every year. There is so much talent in our Wisconsin youth and they are always ready to experience growth in their professional
skills and life changing experiences
Camp will begin the first weekend in June with seventeen days of rehearsal with our talented artistic staff. A fully staged, two hour, Broadway
style performance emerges with our 33 confident performers ready to entertain 120,000 across the state and the Midwest.
We are excited every year to see how these KIDS have grown and where their talents will take them in the future…..Broadway…..major
orchestras…...theatre directors…..educators…..opera singers…..fine leaders in our communities.
An audience survey shows
that Bullets Over Broadway
was a crowd favorite this
summer.
This segment introduced
music from the American
songbook with songs from
the 1920’s and 1930’s.

These extraordinary individuals help
achieve the KIDS mission by contributing
essential expertise, guidance, networks
and support.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joseph deGuzman, DDS—President
Endodontist and Adjunct Assoc. Prof.
Marquette University Dental School
Charles A. Krause—Vice President
Principal, Krause Consultants, LLC
Tony L. Maze—Treasurer
NeuroQuest LLC
Director, Human Resources
Thomas J. Nolte – Secretary
Director, BMO
Global Asset Management
Katharine A. Azzolina
Educator, Retired
Kenosha Public Schools
Amy L. Barnes
Attorney
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.
Barbara I. Dorn
Executive Director, Emerita
Kids from Wisconsin
Scott Girmscheid
Sr. Tech. Rep. – C&H Distributors
Mark A. Juds
Principal Engineer, Eaton Corp.
Dr. James P. Maney, Jr.
Medical Dir., Anesthesia Services
Aurora Medical Center – Summit
Robert E. Radke
R2 Communications, LLC
Tim Riesterer
Chief Strategy and Marketing
Officer Corporate Visions
Michael D. Sander
Loan Administration Manager
Wells Fargo
Mike Wanta
Operations/Event Manager
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Stephen J. Ziegler
Chairman, InPro Corporation
Tina Weiss – Ex Officio
Executive Director, Kids from Wisconsin
Mark S. Dorn – Ex Officio
Producer, Kids from Wisconsin
Assoc. Prof., Colorado Christian Univ.
KIDS OFFICE: 414-266-7067
kidsfromwis@sbcglobal.net
www.kidsfromwisconsin.org
Financial
2015 Net of $ 135,426
2015 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
2015 generated increases in contributed revenue from individual, foundations and grants. Earned
income through performance bookings exceeded budget and expenses were under budget as a result
of careful control.
Our heartfelt thanks to both our long time and new supporters who helped make 2015 a successful
year on stage and financially. Special appreciation goes out to our presenting sponsors, Wisconsin
State Fair, InPro Corporation and to Jere and Anne Fluno.
Each year half of our revenue comes from your gifts. Thank you. In addition, the support from our
volunteers, parents and community leaders throughout the state make it possible to present great
shows each year while providing professional skills and life changing experiences for our KIDS.
Your contributions are vital as we plan our 48th season and begin preparation for our
50th anniversary in 2018.
THANK YOU
focus
The closing number, Anthem/America the Beautiful, consistently
brought the audience to their feet.
Mission: The Kids from Wisconsin shall seek out, train and showcase the musically gifted youth of
Wisconsin in a manner which will demonstrate the outstanding artistic talent, personal character and
leadership potential present in Wisconsin’s greatest natural resource, its young people.
640 S. 84th Street #522, Milwaukee, WI 53214