Background Statement
SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND LITERACY $50,000 CAMPAIGN FOR 2024!
BBT values creating diverse entry points to all programs, with access across ages, geographical boundaries, and income levels. The theatre currently has diverse types of offerings that serve ages 3 to 100 years old, and typically serves 12,000 theatre and special event patrons, 221 volunteers, 237 youth in programs, and 250 employees and contract artists annually.
BBT’s annual programs include five main stage productions, 1-2 youth performed productions (STEP program), one Community production, one Theatre for Young Audiences production and 8-10 educational classes and camps. BBT holds readings, discussions, and workshops throughout the year to engage community responses and develop local talent. This year, we broke box office records, won a Henry Award for Best Youth Performance of the Year, and created new partnerships with Summit County Library, the True Crime and Wine Book Club, Historical Society, and more.
READ MORE ABOUT BBT'S PROPOSED YOUTH ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Our objectives:
Offer programs at no cost or greatly reduced cost, and provide high quality, robust, and professional arts training for youth.
First hand experience, immersed in full productions
Develop life skills, leadership, communication, ensemble building, and a promotion of early literacy.
1) STEP (Student Theatrical Enrichment Program)
A fully produced production of The Addams Family - youth version (Feb. 1 - 10, 2024)
All roles are played by youth ages 6-18
All staff are working theatre professionals
A completely FREE opportunity for students, no tuition fees
Last year served 25 youth in the show, and 1,000 audience members
2) Literacy Youth Tour for The Very Young
Brand new program launching in Summer 2024
Lead partners are The Summit County Library Branches and Mountaintop Explorium.
These shows will be offered free of charge to the community, and to all audience members.
Goal is to marry the arts with literacy to create educational and entertaining contact that inspires early learners to read.
The program is created for audience members 0-10 years old.
A fully produced interactive touring production of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit
If fully funded will be presented in Spanish and English.
Audience will be able to read the book after the performance.
3) Year Round After School Classes and Camps
Every year, BBT awards as many tuition scholarships to year round after school classes and summer camps at the theatre.
Class topics include scene study, play-writing, comedy workshops, and production.
Classes are offered for elementary through high school ages.
Every class or camp culminates in a final performance for family and friends on a professional theatre stage.
Focus on building confidence, theatrical process, and teamwork.
4) BBT is also adding Winter Break and Spring Break Youth Camps in 2024!
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BBT uses the following metrics to measure the impact of our 2023-24 youth arts programming, as follows:
BBT measures success by ticket sales and audience size, participation numbers in our classes, camps, and youth shows, number of scholarships awarded to youth students, individual donations, grant awards, sponsorships, and volunteer hours. Prior to the pandemic, we had expanded our patron numbers and box office by 20%, and participation in programs by 50% over the last ten years. This past season we increased box office numbers by another 20% and program participation by another 25%.