February 20, 2024
Dear Friend,
We are witnessing a nationwide crisis in live performing arts. It has hit home. In 2022 and 2023, Mountain Play ticket revenue averaged only 40% of projected sales. With steep losses in ticket income, the organization took critical steps to curb costs, including cutting two performance dates from our 2024 season production of Kinky Boots. But the numbers still don’t add up.
Here in Marin County, the funding problem is especially severe. Once a great supporter of our county’s rich cultural history, Marin Community Foundation has whittled its areas of focus down to three — none of them arts. With no community foundation support and little (non-COVID related) government support (Marin County granted Mountain Play $2,000 in 2023), local theaters must depend on donations from individuals like you to survive!
Mountain Play’s generous supporters have historically contributed nearly half of the annual budget. This balance of funding sources mirrors other nonprofit theaters. We would all crumble without the support of people who value our art form.
But it’s getting much harder. Even after four years, the pandemic is still impacting our bottom line.
“Theater in America is Facing a Crisis as Many Stages Go Dark.” New York Times, July 24, 2023.
This is not a drill. If we want our show to go on in June 2024, we must ask all our friends and supporters to dig deeper – we need our whole community to pitch in to make this season happen. The Mountain Play is a 111-year-old Bay Area tradition and it is threatened. We need your help to keep it alive.
This is our third request – unprecedented – and absolutely necessary. If you have already donated since September 1st, please consider making another gift. If you have not yet donated, please jump in with a gift of any size. There are so many people who have expressed their love for the Mountain Play, and if every one of them pitches in, the amazing songs of Cyndi Lauper will ring out in the world’s most beautiful amphitheatre this June!
With heartfelt gratitude for your generous support,
Eileen Grady
Executive Director & Artistic Producer
