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The National Theatre Annual ReportThe State of the CorporationOctober 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003Go to Reports from Other Years
MissionThe goal of the National Theatre Corporation is to keep Washington's historic "Theatre of Presidents" open and offering top-quality live stage attractions in the nation's capital. Additionally, through our outreach programs, we bring free performances and other services to the public. The National Theatre Corporation was established in 1974.Trustees, Officers and Administration Trustees, Officers and AdministrationJohn B. Adams,
Jr., Chair
Management ~ ShubertThe mainstage, auditorium, ticketing and house were admirably overseen by our General Manager, Harry Teter, Jr., our Theatre Manager, Carol Hayes, and the House Staff and Backstage Staff of the National Theatre. The Shubert Organization has provided the National with first-rate bookings and impeccable management services, for which we are grateful. All profits from the Shubert Organization go directly to The Shubert Foundation, which supports a wide array of arts, cultural and other organizations in this metropolitan area and nationwide. Appreciation ~ Support ~ The National Theatre Circle
Certainly this theatre could not prosper without the wise guidance and dedicated efforts of our Board of Trustees, as well as the loyal patronage given by the sustaining supporters of our outreach programs, and our "family of friends" in the National Theatre Circle who renew their commitment annually. Circle Members contribute a minimum of $1,500 each year, which helps make our free outreach activities possible. We are continually grateful for their ongoing support. Members of The National Theatre Circle as of September 30, 2003:
The PropertyMajor repairs were made to the ceiling of the auditorium this year, after a leak caused major plaster damage. The ceiling then received a fresh coat of paint. The theatre elevator, weary after nearly 30 years of service, received a new piston, gears, and a major overhaul. Mainstage Productions
National PlayersThe National Theatre was host once again this year to free performances
for high school students of the Greater Washington Area, presented by National
Players, in their 54th year of touring. The students enjoyed AS
YOU LIKE IT on January 16th. America's longest-running classical
touring company,
IATSE Intern Program
College of Fellows of The American Theatre
nationaltheatre.org - Website
The General Manager of a downtown hotel wrote: "I want to commend you on the usefulness and friendliness of your website. I will be visiting you to pick up tickets for Born of a Dream and I love your directions and Metro information. You've really taken into consideration the needs of our visitors."
Courtesy Email Alert ListSeveral years ago, the theatre established an Email Information List.
Messages By mid-summer of 2003, the unwieldy list had grown to an unmanageable 2,500 subscribers. The addresses were moved to ListMail, a new computer program designed specifically to handle email mass mailings, popularly referred to as "E-blasts." By the end of September - with automatic sign-ups and resignations - the list has leaped to more than 4,000 members, all of whom have voluntarily requested to receive our messages.
Dedicated Seat Program
Monday Night at the National
The series is sponsored by the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation and the trustees of the National Theatre. On the bill this year were the following presentations: September 23 - EDGEWORKS DANCE - HELANIUS WILKINS Saturday Morning at the National
Summer Cinema
Jun
16 - WAITING FOR GUFFMAN Projection Equipment for this series was supplied courtesy of Circle member Charles A. Fazio and Vision Digital Media. National Theatre Community Vaudeville
TicketsThrough the ongoing Special Patron Ticket Program and our Annie Oakley Fund, half-price and free tickets were made available again this year to children, students, the disadvantaged, the disabled, F1-F4 military personnel and senior citizens. The National Theatre Trustees, The Shubert Organization, and the producers of our shows all contribute to keeping these programs viable. Disabled ServicesSigned performances for the hearing impaired and Narrated performances for the visually impaired were provided with our attractions again this year. ArchivePrograms, photographs, posters and other artifacts and memorabilia are lovingly conserved by the volunteers who work in the theatre archive. Contributions of materials related to the National Theatre, particularly circa pre-1950, are always welcomed. This year, Mr. Stephen Crowley, a former employee, donated a very extensive collection of recordings and other materials related to the American Musical Theatre, gathered over a lifetime of astute theatre attendance and acquisition. Although space limitation precludes the accommodation of researchers, the staff attempts to answer all research requests. Community AffiliationThe National Theatre is a member of the League of Washington Theatres, the United Arts Organization of Greater Washington, The United Way of the National Capital Area, the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington. Stages for All AgesThe National Theatre participated again this year in the "Stages For All Ages" program. This "two-for-one" ticket program encourages adults to bring a child "for free" to a live theatre performance. The program is administered by the League of Washington Theatres and funded by The Washington Post to introduce children and young people to "the magic of live theatre." Arts on FootIn September of 2002, Saturday Morning at the National was once again the "kick-off" event for Arts On Foot, the downtown arts promotion developed and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Avenue Quarter. "Passports" distributed at the National and other places were "stamped" as families and individuals visited the many galleries and theatres which participated with special programs.
In Memoriam
Financial ReportThe Annual 990 Tax Return is available at
the National Theatre Corporate Office, Respectfully submitted with my personal thanks to our trustees, to every member of the staff of the National Theatre, to our loyal supporters, and to our thousands of patrons, without whom there would be no purpose in keeping this theatre alive.
Main Contents
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The National Theatre Corporation,
a 501.c3 nonprofit institution managed by The
Shubert Organization.
|
For
the sixth successive year, The National Theatre is presenting
its Annual Report to the public via the Internet. The theatre
has presented plays and musicals at the same location, three
blocks from The White House in Washington, DC, since 1835. Today
it is operated by the National Theatre Corporation, a not-for-profit,
501.c.3 cultural, educational and charitable organization,
operated by a board of trustees and managed for the board by
The Shubert Organization. 
this
past fiscal year ~ the 168th season for this
historic playhouse, the oldest continually operated Class-A legitimate
professional theatre in America.
The
stage was lighted for almost 30 weeks with a series of succe
ssful
engagements this year. First came the pre-Broadway premiere of a new
production of MAN OF LA MANCHA with the dynamic Brian
Stokes Mitchell in the title role, playing from October 8 through November
10. The ever-popular LES MISERABLES was next - a holiday
treat running from November 27 through January 4. Making "her" debut
at the National from January 21 through February 2 was the indomitable
Australian diva in A NIGHT WITH DAME EDNA. Ted Turner
presented the world premiere of his Civil War film GODS AND GENERALS on
February 10. Next came Valerie Harper, starring in THE ALLERGISTS'S
WIFE, March 4 through 23. Then "those dancing feet" stormed
the stage in 42ND STREET, playing March 25 through April
12. On April 15 a sell-out crowd rose for a thunderous standing ovation
after every number sung by the popular ANNIE LENNOX in
a one-night concert. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES returned
again, April 22 through 27, with Supermodel Frederique. This was followed
by DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, May 21 through June
7, and finally a return engagement of the smashing musical, CHICAGO.
All in all, a season of which to be very proud.
The
National Theatre is a supporter of the Training Fund of the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local # 22, our own stagehands.
The union conducts an ongoing schedule of workshops, both basic and advanced,
in working venues including the National. The focus is on new technologies,
and hands-on training with in-house equipment. The program addresses
safe, efficient and effective use of theatrical equipment - sound, lighting
rigging, etc. In the accompanying photo, the use of computerized lighting
control is under study. A college certificate program for stage technicians
is offered in partnership with Prince George's Community College. The
Fund has supported the development of 28 class subjects and conducted
360 hours of classes for a total of 1144 students. In addition, 50 hours
of videotape has been recorded from these classes, and edited into four
training videos and a CD-ROM. A new partnership to develop job training
for inner city residents is under development with the new DC Convention
Center.
The
National Theatre supports the Annual Meeting of the
The
National first appeared on the Internet in March, 1995, among the first
web presences for a theatre in the Greater Washington Area. The site
had received about 150,000 "hits" by the end of FY 2001-2002.
After a major overhaul in the summer of 2002, the number of visitors
increased tenfold, and the site has now registered 1,500,000 hits by
people looking for information on the theatre, and is averaging 1,524
per day.
are
sent to the Trustees, Circle members, Staff, Shubert Management, and
patrons who sign on. All receive information about our attractions and
activities at the National. The list was established using the email
program in Netscape Explorer. All "subscribes" and "unsubscribes" were
entered manually by the Executive Director.
Donors
wishing to dedicate seats in the National Theatre may do so in return
for a contribution. A handsome brass plate is affixed to the seat, with
a dedicatory inscription provided by the donor. This program was envisioned
and inaugurated by our late Treasurer, Margaret E. Lynn, and is now being
administered by Betsy Libretta. Links inviting patrons to consider dedicating
seats have been added to most pages of the website, and have engendered
some interest and contributions from visitors to the site.
Our
Monday FREE music, dance, comedy and drama showcase continued with
vigor during this fiscal year. The season boasted world premieres of
three original one-act plays.
Our
free family performances were exceptionally popular this year with
tourists and families in the Greater Washington Area. Some shows
were SRO.
Films
were shown at the National Theatre during the summer months at 6:30 p.m.
on Monday evenings in the Helen Hayes Gallery, where the national portrait
of Miss Hayes is displayed. Admission to these screenings ~ inaugurated
in 1985 ~ was free. The films drew capacity crowds, and the audience
included young and old, Greater D.C. area residents and tourists. A children's
film presented this summer for the first time, proved very popular .
Our theme was SHOW BUSINESS SUMMER!
The
National Theatre Community Vaudeville thrived this year, administered
by Natalie Forbes, who schedules and manages the program. Our talented
performers traveled to senior citizen homes, shelters, community clubs
and other 501.c.3 venues across the Greater Washington Area. Among the
responses we received: "Thanks to the National for bringing quality
programming to our seniors. Please don't stop." "Wonderful!
The participants loved the performer!" "Thank you for providing
this extraordinary service to the community." The performance left
everyone with a group 'feel good' experience. Thanks!"
FRANCES
HUMPHREY HOWARD (1914-2002) 
