Save The Stage Campaign
Welcome to Timber Lake Playhouse's "Save The Stage" campaign. Since our humble beginnings in 1961, we've evolved into a cherished community cornerstone, delivering transformative theater experiences that inspire and entertain. Our stage has launched countless careers, fostering talents like Jennifer Garner, Michael Gross, and Tony Award winner Jayne Houdyshell.
Now, we stand at a critical crossroads. The financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, combined with rising costs in materials and labor, have placed our future in jeopardy. Without your support, we risk closing our doors forever. Your contribution can ensure that Timber Lake Playhouse continues to enrich lives, cultivate stars, and provide exceptional theatrical experiences for generations to come.
Since reopening post pandemic, Timber Lake Playhouse has welcomed over 70,000 enthusiastic audience members, but only 531 have contributed financially. As a non-profit dedicated to delivering high-quality theater, we urgently need your support to continue our mission.
Above all, we are interested in Full Transparency. By being forthright about our needs and goals, we hope to continue fostering a deeper connection with our supporters, demonstrating the impact of their contributions and the immediacy of our need and Save The Stage!
Our Situation:
Post-COVID Debt: Despite our best efforts, the financial burden from the pandemic continues to loom over us, preventing normal operations let alone the limitation of our artistic potential.
Rising Costs: With the cost of goods and services soaring, we’ve kept ticket prices steady to remain accessible to our patrons, relying on community generosity to bridge the gap.
Seasonal Challenges: The summer season, our busiest time, is also our most financially strenuous. Expenses peak as our full company gathers, making your support vital at this specific time.
Our Key Messages:
Heritage and Impact: Timber Lake Playhouse is not just a theatre; it’s a cultural cornerstone with a storied history of enriching lives and launching careers. This has been not only a destination for Carroll County, but also one of the most nationally cherished Summer Theatre’s in the country.
Urgency: The need is immediate. Our beloved playhouse, which has held sixty-three consecutive years of programming, is at a critical crossroads. Your support can ensure that we continue to inspire and entertain for years to come.
Community Support: Your donation, no matter the size, directly impacts our ability to operate and thrive. If you have the means to donate, incredible! If you do not, we need your help finding and sourcing the funds and increasing our need’s footprint. Join us in preserving a cherished institution that has been a beacon of arts and culture in our community for generations.
Our Vision:
Financial Stability: Achieving our $500,000 goal will not only cover our immediate financial needs but also establish a foundation for long-term sustainability. With these funds, we can manage our debt, clear our line of credit, invest in future productions, and ensure that Timber Lake Playhouse remains a vibrant and vital part of our community. By securing financial stability, we can continue to provide high-quality theater, support emerging artists, and expand our educational programs, benefiting audiences and artists alike.
New Season Format: We’re thrilled to unveil an innovative 5-show season with extended 3-week runs at the upcoming Gala. This format promises more opportunities for engagement and artistic excellence, while also cutting costs and preserving the stamina of our talent.
Theatre Educational Program Intensive: We hope to introduce our Theatre Education Program Intensive in 2025 as a perfect alternative to traditional summer camps. This focused program runs for two three-week sessions, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM during our season, immersing students fully in theater projects right alongside our professional company. The curriculum includes daily classes in dance, voice for musical theatre, and acting technique, emphasizing audition preparation. Students will also prepare for a tailor made showcase, featuring group numbers and possibly solos. We hope to make this an enriching and transformative experience for aspiring theater talent.
The Andy Bro New Work Program: We also look towards launching the Andy Bro New Works Program in 2025, dedicated to nurturing and developing new theatrical works with World Premieres on the TLP stage. Named in honor of our co-founder, this program will support emerging playwrights and composers, offering them a platform to workshop and present their original pieces on a fast track to Broadway. With this initiative, we aim to foster innovation in the arts and provide our audience with fresh, compelling stories. We look to present a World Premiere under his name next season in partnership with a nationally accredited university.
Inner Circle: By becoming a part of our Inner Circle, you gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early ticket purchasing options, and special insider information on our plans well before the public. This group of dedicated supporters will receive regular updates about our progress and be invited to participate in intimate events and discussions about the future direction of Timber Lake Playhouse. Your involvement will help shape the theater's journey and ensure its success for years to come.
Legacy Committee: Membership in our Legacy Committee offers the deepest level of involvement, providing a personal connection to the theater's future. As a Legacy Committee member, you'll have a voice in our development, influence our strategic decisions, and participate in high-level planning sessions. This elite group represents our most committed supporters, whose contributions will leave a lasting impact on Timber Lake Playhouse.
Donation Tiers and Rewards
$100 - $249:
Save The Stage Contributing Partner Listing: Your name will be proudly displayed on our website and in our playbills as a Save The Stage Contributing Partner.
TLP Membership: Receive live quarterly updates about our upcoming shows, special events, and insider news through a private virtual session with our Full Time Staff & Board of Directors.
$250 - $499:
Handwritten Thank You Note: A personalized note from a Resident Company Member expressing our heartfelt gratitude for your support.
Free Drink Coupon: Enjoy a complimentary drink at our concession stand during your next visit to Timber Lake Playhouse.
All Previous Rewards: Including your name listed as a Save The Stage Contributing Partner and TLP membership.
$500 - $999:
Signed Poster: Receive an exclusive poster from The Wizard of Oz, signed by core cast members in the production.
Opening Night Party Invitation: Join us for the opening night party of Jekyll & Hyde, where you can mingle with the cast and crew.
All Previous Rewards: Including a handwritten thank you note and a free drink coupon.
$1,000 - $4,999:
Inner Circle Membership: Gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early ticket purchasing options, and special recognition in our programs. See full description above.
Gala Pre-game Invitation: Attend a special donor appreciation event before the Gala, where you'll get a sneak peek of the evening's festivities.
All Previous Rewards: Including a signed poster and an invitation to the opening night party.
$5,000 - $9,999:
Curated Personal Experience: Enjoy a personalized theater experience every time you visit, including backstage tours, meet-and-greets with the cast, and premium seating.
All Previous Rewards: Including Inner Circle membership and Gala Pre-game invitation.
$10,000 - $24,999:
Lifetime Tickets: Receive tickets for one individual to all Timber Lake Playhouse shows for life, ensuring you never miss a performance.
All Previous Rewards: Including a curated personal experience and premium seating.
$25,000 - $49,999:
Legacy Committee Membership: Join the Legacy Committee, giving you a personal connection to the theater's future and a voice in our development. See full description above.
All Previous Rewards: Including lifetime tickets and a curated personal experience.
$50,000 and above:
Personalized Consultation: We will work with you to discuss how you envision contributing to the theater's success and explore ways your donation can make the most impact. This initiative provides endless possibilities for its most paramount of philanthropists.
All Previous Rewards: Including Legacy Committee membership and all other perks from previous tiers.