Hello all, Look forward to seeing you around MYAC, the Todd Wehr Theater, or on Thursday November 21 at 6:30pm at our next meeting!

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1 Hello all, Thanks to those of you who were able to attend last week s GRS meeting. We had a great time greeting new faces, and looking ahead at the year. Here are some notes from the meeting: 1. As always, you can find upcoming volunteer needs at Please keep your eyes open here regularly as things are ever changing! 2. GRS presence at Parent/cast meetings - a representative from this group will be allowed a few minutes to speak at all Parent Meetings as rehearsals get ready to start for the each show in the season. I have talking points about what to say in this invitation to join GRS. If you're interested in covering this at a particular meeting, please see the SignUpGeniuses off the Volunteer page. 3. Development - Nancy Clarkin joined us from Development. There is a Devo attachment on this message that will summarize everything she talked about. Be sure to check this out as there are some great ways to give to First Stage through your every day internet usage and shopping!! 4. Upcoming volunteer needs reviewed: o MAUL OF THE DEAD cast dinner: Patrick will get us more information as there are two dates with two shows. o PAGEANT Alumni Event Friday December 27: Again, more information coming soon, but save the date as volunteers will likely be needed! o Opening Night cast party hosts for each show: see the SignUpGenius off the Volunteer page for more information. The biggest item discussed was auction items for the Make Believe Ball in March which spiraled us into talking about possible donation items other times throughout the year: This year, in the lobby of the Todd Wehr, you'll find the show poster available for purchase in a smaller size. Development will be working to get a few of these signed by all cast members so that they could be available as possible auction items. GRS has donated a t-shirt quilt of First Stage shirts, and a themed Italian food/cooking basket in years past. We would like to provide at least one item/basket for this years auction. If you have a suggestion or would like to make a donation, please let me know. Attached is another idea that has been shared. You'll find poster 1, 3 and 4 attached. These were sent into First Stage staff by a supporter and staff have wondered if GRS members would like to work together to produce a similar item for auction at the Make Believe Ball. It was also suggested that it use the "branding" of the Academy Cheer document, also attached. If you have an interest in working on this project, please let me know! SHREK is going strong with about 2 weeks left; if you haven't seen it, you're missing out! Get tickets soon and "let your freak flag fly"! Young Company is up and going as are other school year intensive programs, and BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER rehearsals start this weekend! All is well in the First Stage world!! Look forward to seeing you around MYAC, the Todd Wehr Theater, or on Thursday November 21 at 6:30pm at our next meeting! :) Heather Crouse Green Room Society Chair (812) or volunteer@firststage.org

2 Ways to Engage with First Stage from the Development Department Events First Stage s 4th Annual Wine Event - Saturday, October 26, at the Milwaukee Club. This event is sold out! No volunteers needed. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER in Chicago - Saturday, November 16, 2013 A V.I.P. event for donors and friends of First Stage to see the Emerald City/First Stage production on opening day! Let us know if you would like tickets to the show and VIP event - $50/each. No volunteers needed. First Stage s Make Believe Ball - Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Hilton Milwaukee. This is Milwaukee s premiere event for the entire family and raises over $125,000 each year. Please attend or let us know if you would like to volunteer! First Stage s Bard-o-thon - Saturday, April 26, 2014 a fundraiser where Theater Academy students perform as many memorized Shakespearean monologues in a row as possible. 2 volunteers needed. First Stage s IMPACT Events - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at MYAC 8-9:30 am & 5-6:30pm an event designed to showcase the IMPACT of First Stage to community members and potential donors. Please consider attending and hosting a table. UPAF Ride for the Arts Sunday, June 1, Join the First Stage team for the Ride to benefit the United Performing Arts Fund, First Stage s largest donor! Sign up on the First Stage team to ride or volunteer - LOTS of volunteers needed. UPAF Community Events ongoing First Stage often needs volunteers to host a table at community events. Phone-a-thons - (Mon/Tues, December 16 & 17 and June 16 & 17) - Join First Stage staff, parents board and students in a two phone-a-thons to secure gifts and ensure we meet our 2013/14 fundraising goals. FUNdraisers - First Stage holds FUNdraisers at the theater with the goal of sharing information about our non-profit s need, acquiring new donors and enhancing our patrons theater experience. You will have the opportunity to support these fundraisers or volunteer at the FUNdraiser table and we greatly appreciate your enthusiastic support of these efforts! ***Please consider volunteering to help with the 50/50 Raffle during the performances of CRASH March 28-April 13.

3 Contributions/Community Connections Fundraising for First Stage is critical to our success as our budget is balanced with 50% earned revenue and 50% contributed revenue. As a non-profit organization, First Stage relies on charitable contributions to continue our mission of transforming lives through theater. First Stage s Annual Campaign is our season-long fundraising initiative that supports our general operations including our three mission areas; professional productions, Theater Academy and Theater in Education. First Stage Spotlight Partners - If you have any connections to companies, organizations or individuals who would be interested partnering with First Stage, please let us know. We are always looking financial support, fundraising opportunities, in kind donations, etc Other Ways to Support Keep up-to-date on all things First Stage and share our good news on your own page! There is a lot of work to be done and there are certain times when there are large mailings or projects we could use volunteers for. Let us know if we can contact you when things get busy. Work can sometimes be done here at our office or there may be times you can take things home to do and bring them back. Good Search is a free online search tool and shopping site where a % of your purchase goes to the organization of your choice. Sign up today to support First Stage at Goodsearch.com. Use the code FirstStage in the shopping cart at BirthdayExpress.com, CostumeExpress.com and CelebrateExpress.com and you will save 10% - and First Stage will earn the 15%. Development Staff contact information: Katie Weeks Development Director kweeks@firststage.org Nancy Clarkin Individual Giving Manager nclarkin@firstage.org Beth Gall Events Manager bgall@firststage.org Becky Schulz Grants Manager rschulz@firststage.org Lynn Winston Development Coordinator lwinston@firststage.org

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