I’m making my New Year’s resolution early this year – to give gifts that will bring my loved ones real joy and a wonderful experience, not just more stuff to clutter up their self-storage units or some landfill.

As a member of the Development Team here at Imagination Stage, I often have the pleasure of watching children with their parents, extended family or friends enjoying one of our professional shows in the Lerner Theatre, a student show in the Reeve Theatre or a ’sharing’ at one of our classes. The joy and delight on their faces as they watch and as they leave the building is a daily reminder of why we do what we do at Imagination Stage. I often hear later from parents and grandparents that they had a wonderful discussion with their children on the way home, spurred by what they saw in the play or did in class.

This is ’serious fun’ – children learn important ideas and concepts from our plays, and those who take our classes or summer camps learn skills as well. But they may not notice, because they’re having so much fun! Parents notice, though, and as children grow up, they appreciate what they learned here as well.

We know that theatre teaches kids many skills that are useful in other endeavors in life – self-discipline, how to collaborate with peers and leaders, self-confidence, the ability to listen to one’s heart and mind and express oneself clearly; you get the idea. We hear this from professional educators and politicians as well. Here is a video clip from Gov. Martin O’Malley regarding the importance of the arts in education.

The current economic challenges that the whole country is facing have already led to a cut of $75,000 from public funding sources to Imagination Stage, and we have worked very hard to reduce our expenses accordingly. Further reductions in funding may come, but we are fighting to keep all our programs in place.

We are grateful for the support of all our friends. Join them, and give joy not only to your own loved ones, but also to the children and families of the entire region!
–Barbara Rollins, Director of Annual Giving