You Make Our Work Possible
We rely on your financial support to be a home base for Wisconsin theater professionals and audiences. As audiences are slow to return to the theater, your contribution is even more important to ensure a secure future for Forward Theater.
View our Annual Report to learn more about the impact of your unrestricted support.
"Challenging times, such as these, call for us to support the arts now more than ever. Please join me in strengthening the future of Forward Theater and our community of artists, not only with your presence at performances, but with your financial gifts, large and small. Together, we can help Forward meet our mission of sustaining local, professional theater.”
- Rozan Anderson, Board Chair
“There is no way to overstate what Forward's commitment to the Wisconsin theatrical artist means at this time. While many of my colleagues are needing to contemplate and/or make massive career shifts, some seeking work outside of theater for the first time in many decades, Forward's commitment to the theater artists who call FTC home equals out in measurable ways as: mortgage/rent payments, food on the table, and covering the essential costs of living.”
- Sarah Deming-Henes, Stage Manager
“Through these recent tumultuous years, we doubled down on our commitment to sustain not only our own organization, but also artists and arts companies throughout Wisconsin. We honored all our contracts, maintained our staff levels, created new paid opportunities for freelance artists, and brought together leaders both locally and statewide to problem-solve and collaborate. Now we are looking to the future — relying on the support of our community as we rebuild audiences, navigate safety protocols, and maintain our exceptional production quality despite rising costs."
- Jen Uphoff Gray, Artistic Director
GIFT OPTIONS
YOUR PLANNED GIFT CREATES A LASTING IMPACT
Please consider including Forward Theater Company (FTC) in your will or estate plan to ensure the impact you're having today will continue for generations to come. By including FTC in your plans, you are leaving a legacy of professional contemporary theater for the Madison community and its artists.
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LINDA GARRITY LEGACY GIVING GUILD
YOUR IRA DISTRIBUTION GIVES YOU A TAX-FREE WAY TO CONTRIBUTE
Are you 70½ or older and will be taking a required minimum distribution from your IRA this year?
Please consider supporting Forward Theater Company - a 501(c)(3) organization - with your direct tax-free distribution.
YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFT IS VITAL EACH YEAR
Each year we rely on the generous support of our donors. Ticket sales cover just half of what it costs to mount our high-quality productions of compelling and thought-provoking stories.
MAKE A SUSTAINING GIFT
A sustaining gift is one that you can pay in a convenient, ongoing way. Each month, we will charge the amount you specify. Your regular support provides a strong foundation we can rely on. Click on the DONATE button below and choose the recurring frequency option to start now.
MAKE A STOCK GIFT
Consider a gift of appreciated stock, an option that gives you a tax write-off while saving you capital gains tax. If you have held the security for more than one year, at the time of the donation you get a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the stock (not to your cost basis) which results in no capital gains tax being paid and a larger itemized deduction. Please contact Director of Development Sarah Milestone at 608-234-5001 with the name of the securities you intend to transfer and the approximate dollar amount of the transfer or number of shares to ensure we can accurately process and recognize your generous gift. SECURITIES TRANSFER INFORMATION: Ameritrade, Forward Theater Company, DTC number: 0188, Account number: 423124908, Forward Theater's Federal Tax ID #: 26-4576271.
2022-2023 Giving Levels and Benefits
ANNUAL FUND ($100 - $249)
• Priority processing of subscription orders and seating change requests (in recognition of gifts received in the 12 months prior to June subscription seating).
• Collectible refrigerator magnet featuring graphics from the season.
ANNUAL FUND ($250 - $499)
All of the above, plus...
• Invitation for two to our Season Launch. Meet and mingle with our Artistic Director, Managing Director, members of our Board of Directors, and artists from our Advisory Company
• Priority processing of subscription orders and seating change requests.
• Collectible refrigerator magnet featuring graphics from the season.
ANNUAL FUND ($500 - $999)
All of the above, plus...
• NEW! Invitation for two to a conversation with one of our designers. Experience behind-the-scenes access and a chance to learn more about production elements.
*All donations over $25 are recognized in Forward Theater performance programs.
FORWARD LEADERS
Forward Leaders show a strong personal commitment to Forward Theater’s mission by making annual gifts of $1,000 or more.
$1,000 - $2,499
All of the Annual Fund donor benefits, plus...
• Recognition on our donor wall in the Playhouse Lobby.
• Invitation to an exclusive online reading of an exciting contemporary play featuring favorite Forward actors.
• Opportunity to bring friends to the theater.
INTRODUCING THE DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE!
$2,500 - $4,999
All of the above, plus...
• NEW! Invitation to the Director’s Circle Dinner, a private reception with Forward Theater’s Artistic and Managing Directors.
• Invitation for two to one of our First Rehearsals.
• Personalized handling of your ticket exchanges if your plans change.
• NEW! A Pre-Show pour of your favorite beverage prior to one of your ticketed performances.
$5,000 - $9,999
All of the above, plus...
• Invitation to a private lunch for two with Forward Theater’s Artistic or Managing Director.
• Invitation for two to one of our Technical Rehearsals.
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
$10,000+
All of the above, plus...
• Invitation for two to the Opening Night Reception with our Cast and Crew.
• Listing in the Season Brochure, on the title page of the program, production poster and postcards, and in the pre-show announcements.
Your COLLEEN BURNS MEMORIAL FUND GIFT Supports Our Artists
The inimitable Colleen Burns - one of our original collaborators - is no longer with us. A professional actress for more than 30 years, Colleen first graced Madison stages at the Rep in 1974. Over the decades she performed in many plays and musicals there, including Nunsense, Baby, Consumer Affairs (which she co-authored with longtime musical partner Jack Forbes Wilson) the record breaking A...My Name is Alice. Colleen not only helped create Forward Theater Company in 2009, she played the lead in our first production, the radio play All About Eve. In the following season, she directed and performed in another radio drama, The 39 Steps. Colleen’s enormous talent, her professionalism, her laughter, and her dedication to her art will be the legacy that lives on in all our hearts.
FTC has created a special fund to underwrite the salary for one actress per season as a tribute to Colleen, who brought so much joy to Madison audiences. Through this endowment, we look forward to many more creative collaborations in the years to come. For more information, or to make a contribution, please contact Sarah Milestone at smilestone@forwardtheater.com or 608-234-5001.
Award Recipients
• 2021-2022 Olivia Dawson, for her role in The Mytilenean Debate
• 2020-2021 Mary MacDonald Kerr, for her role in The Lifespan of a Fact
• 2019-2020 Clare Arena Haden, for her role in Mary Jane
• 2018-2019 Marti Gobel, for her role in Skeleton Crew
• 2017-2018 Judy Kimball, for her role in Marjorie Prime
• 2016-2017 Susan Sweeney, for her role in 4000 Miles
• 2015-2016 Carrie Hitchcock, for her role in Silent Sky
• 2014-2015 Tracy Michelle Arnold, for her role in The Other Place
• 2013-2014 Colleen Madden, for her role in Or,
• 2012-2013 Celia A. Klehr, for her role in Good People
• 2011-2012 Sarah Day, for her role in A Thousand Words