Download Fiddlehead Theatre Co., Inc.

Fiddlehead Theatre Co., Inc.
General Information
22 Booth Road
Dedham, MA 02026 5708
(617) 229-6490
Website
www.fiddleheadtheatre.com
Organization Contact
Meg Fofonoff [email protected]
Year of Incorporation
1996
1
Statements & Search Criteria
Mission Statement
Fiddlehead Theatre Company’s mission is building community through the arts. As Resident
Company of the historic Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA we accomplish this mission by producing
exceptional main stage professional theater that uplifts while engaging audiences in current issues,
and by serving Dorchester and the surrounding communities through educational initiatives in our
Children’s Theatre Division, by building community partnerships in the arts, and by engaging youth
and adults in theater classes and productions,
Through our Children’s Theatre Division students play an important role in bringing arts to the
community. Fiddlehead involves youth in theater classes and productions, helping provide valuable
experience working as an ensemble, challenging their theater skills and strengthening ties to each
other and the community. Older teens are also given opportunities to explore career options by
working with mentors in technical and administrative areas of theater. By creating successful
educational partnerships with community groups and local schools Fiddlehead helps to educate
children of all abilities and backgrounds in the theater arts.
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Background Statement
Fiddlehead Theatre Company has brought professional theatre and educational programming for
youth to the Boston and the greater Boston area since 1993. Our main stage repertoire has
spanned a wide range from classics to new works. Fiddlehead Theatre Company has always
believed in presenting stellar theatrer for and involving all ages, in Boston and beyond.
Fiddlehead is also dedicated to producing new works and area premieres. In 2000, Fiddlehead
produced The Scarlet Letter-A Rock Musical and a staged reading of Spring Fling, a new play
based on The Snowball by A.R. Gurney, written by Meg Fofonoff and Ben Bartolone. This play was
all about teens and used ballroom dancing as an art to motivate and inspire their lives. That same
year Fiddlehead presented Judy Moody Books Onstage, a children’s play created by Fiddlehead
based on the popular children’s books by the same name. Fiddlehead’s 2013-2014 Season at The
Strand opened with the Boston premiere of a new work, “A Little Princess,” book and lyrics by Brian
Crawley, Music by Andrew Lippa, based on the 1905 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson
Burnett.
Throughout the company’s 20-year history Fiddlehead has been dedicated to theatre arts
education. Fiddlehead has created numerous innovative youth programs including: year-round
theatre training classes ranging from acting to front-of-house; the first Shakespeare Troupe to go to
schools in the Boston area called “Shakespeare for Young Audiences” (a program that united four
major comedies and tragedies) and daytime performances of main-stage productions especially for
school children. Fiddlehead also has a long reputation of producing all-youth productions.
Now as Resident Company at The Strand, Fiddlehead looks forward to serving the Dorchester
community by providing quality theater and youth programs that are affordable to all. We are
committed to producing theater including, both classic plays and musicals as well as new works,
which uplift while engaging audiences in current issues. We will also participate in bringing a
consistent program to The Strand that further identifies it as a major Boston venue. We will do this
by providing 3-4 productions a year, fall, winter and spring. Youth programs will be available year
around for ages 6-18. We will also be a resource for the community in offering employment and
career training for youth. Our upcoming productions are well suited to accomplishing our goal to
"build community through the arts". The 2014/2015 season includes Elton John and Tim's Rice's
AIDA,
The Wiz and Jesus Christ Superstar. We also have an expanded program with the Boston Public
Schools and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester.
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Impact Statement
The impact Fiddlehead will create in its new role as Resident Theatre Company at The Strand is as
follows:
1.Creating more jobs for youth and members of the community
2.Presenting classic plays and musicals as well as new works promoting awareness of current
issues
3.Giving youth and families a place to experience theater right in their own community
4.Helping youth and adults to achieve a strong sense of accomplishment in being part of theater
creation
5.Enabling youth to discover themselves and strengthen self esteem in performance
Anticipated attendance is between 600-900 attendees for each performance of upcoming
productions (15 performances for each show) and a total of 500 attendees for the 3 youth
performances. By bringing both newcomers to the Strand and reintroducing others who have come
to the Strand in the past, the impact of these productions will be to revitalize the area and bring
traffic and new business to local area restaurants. As an arts entity we must push forward with
efforts to change and shape the world into a better place, while leaving our audiences feeling
uplifted, energized, and renewed. Fiddlehead's ultimate impact will be to help this community to
grow and flourish while enriching the arts environment.
Needs Statement
1. Financial Support: As Fiddlehead creates a long-term sustainability program; a solid financial
base for future productions and youth programming is a necessity. We seek support from individual
donors, family foundations and corporations who see partnering with Fiddlehead as mutually
beneficial in meeting their goals.
2. Governance: In the past year Fiddlehead has experienced an increase in those individuals who
have demonstrated their commitment to the organization by joining the Board of Directors and its
Advisory Board. Fiddlehead recognizes the continued need to broaden representation of its
governance to include stakeholders who can bring their expertise in the areas of fundraising,
community and economic development as well as education. They will also serve as important
advocates for Fiddlehead and The Strand partnership and reflect the diversity of the community.
3. Staff: The administrative staff of the organization is small and Fiddlehead’s needs include
increasing its infrastructure to add a full time administrative support person to relieve the Artistic
Director of day -to-day administrative duties during this period of growth, technology assistance in
the areas of online marketing and ticketing and resources to engage a strategic planning consultant
to help shape programs and revenue goals and plans to achieve them over the next 5 years.
4. Partnerships: Increase the collaborative partnerships with other non-profits serving the
communities of Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan to expand Fiddlehead’s reach within its target
audience for youth programs.
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CEO/Executive Director Statement
In June of 1993, I attended a dress rehearsal of a local summer stock theater production, after
which I said "I want to start my own theater company. Now twenty years later, despite the
challenges along the way I can't imagine doing anything else. My passion for the shows, the people
I work with, our gratified patrons and the magic that happens on our stage will never cease. I believe
also in the amazing way that theater changes and augments people’s lives through our long history
of youth programs and school collaborations. I have seen the shyest child who comes in and hides
under a theater seat, blossom into that shining star on the stage.
I am awed that Fiddlehead has arrived at this amazing point where we have the opportunity to
collaborate with The Strand and the Dorchester community. To use our 20 years of experience to
serve the youth, groups, schools, and general audiences, is a responsibility not to be taken lightly, I
look forward to a commitment of another 20 years and beyond, of sharing my love of theater and
how it effects and changes peoples lives in a way no other form can, with the community. For me
and I hope everyone, in our classes, onstage and in the audiences, theater will resonate in our
hearts, the way no other art form can.
Service Categories
Theater
Youth Development Programs
Geographic Areas Served
Located in Dorchester at The Strand Theatre will provide Fiddlehead access to the community and
local schools that serve the area. The Strand has always been an anchor for Dorchester and
having our Youth Programs based in this location supports our mission. We also see this as an
opportunity to bring more economic resources to the area by engaging local residents in both the
mainstage performances and the youth performances. And finally, with a very active season at The
Strand, we expect to help bring economic development to local businesses.
Please review online profile for full list of selected areas served.
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Programs
Fiddlehead Productions at The Strand
Description
Our mission is the presentation of high quality productions
including both classic plays and musicals, as well as new works,
which uplift while engaging audiences in current issues and
providing these experiences at a reasonable price thereby
creating affordable access to all. Fiddlehead will provide 3-4
productions a year, consisting of plays and musicals, which will
include classics and new works. The 2013/2014 season included
the Boston premier of A Little Princess. In 2014/2015 Fiddlehead
will be presenting Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA (a Boston
exclusive) with 15 performances for each production including
Saturday and Sunday matinees. An all youth musical production,
Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr. was presented in conjunction with the
Boys and Girls Club following a 10 week youth program at the
clubhouse to provide the young Dorchester residents with the
training and skill set for their performance and a introduction into
the wonderful world of theater. A number of schools in the Boston
Public School system have requested Fiddlehead's participation in
their theatrical programs.
Budget
$750,000.00
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Theater
Population Served
Adults, K-12 (5-19 years), At-Risk Populations
Program Short Term Success
Produced in conjunction with the City of Boston and the ACLU,
Ragtime, the most recent Fiddlehead production was most highly
acclaimed, receiving 6 IRNE nominations and taking home the
winner in the Best Supporting Actress category. While this is
exciting, the real success was bringing pride and recognition to
Dorchester community and The Strand.
Program Long term Success
These productions provide a benefit to the communities we serve
by bringing consistent quality programming which involves both
youth and adults in performances and behind the scenes, to meld
the strengths of different generations. We also serve as an
economic stimulus to the area by offering employment and driving
traffic to local restaurants and retail vendors.
Program Success Monitored By
We monitor success through the number of individuals in
attendance, area participants in the productions and tracking the
communities in which they reside.
Examples of Program Success
Attendees report that they have enjoyed having access to the
theatre right in their community and seeing a program that reflects
their values. Requests from residents to The Strand as to when
Fiddlehead will be back and how can they be involved.
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Youth Programs
Description
Since it was established in 1993, Fiddlehead has had a core
educational program for young individuals ages 6-18 through
classes offered during the school year as well as annual summer
programs provided at a low, affordable fees so as to be widely
accessible to children of all economic means. As the Resident
Company of The Strand, Fiddlehead will continue this mission
including an all-youth musical production, a tech training program
for middle and high school students and our Theatre for Young
Audiences Troupe, which is a group of adult actors well versed in
working with youth who will create mini-productions with an
educational premise for elementary, middle and high school
students, presented in both area schools and at The Strand.
Budget
$20,000.00
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Theater Arts Instruction
Population Served
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years), ,
Program Short Term Success
With the first all youth production scheduled for the 2013/2014,
Fiddlehead will bring together a group of youth ages 6-18 to
perform in a musical production. Recruited from local schools and
organizations such as DSNI, this cast will have the opportunity to
work together, learn new skills and demonstrate talent to friends,
family and schoolmates.
Program Long term Success
Young resident of these communities will learn to express
themselves, gain self-confidence, have a voice in their
communities, achieve recognition for their skill, develop an
appreciation for the arts and attain skills that they can apply to
their career of choice.
Program Success Monitored By
Success will be monitored and measured by the number of young
individuals who join in these programs, their ability to learn the
required skills necessary for theatrical production both on stage
and in the management/marketing and backstage activities.
Examples of Program Success
Fiddlehead’s hope for success of this program will be in how the
participants feel about themselves after the production and
programs. If they will come back for the next production and
encourage their peers to make Fiddlehead and The Strand a
place to come, have fun and learn.
Program Comments
CEO Comments
Fiddlehead will be celebrating its 20th year this October and it reminds us of the many productions
that we have presented and the number of youth programs that Fiddlehead has been engaged with.
We remember laughter, tears and cheers from our patrons. As we review this list, we realize that
there are more than 100 different powerful and beautiful, plays and musicals that we have been
lucky enough to bring to audiences through the Greater Boston area.
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Our company has long been devoted to inspiring audiences with Broadway quality productions that
both entertain and broaden horizons. We adhere to a dedication to quality and the importance of
choosing productions that relate to our audience, all of which is the key to success.
As we look to the future, we will continue to follow the path that has led us to The Strand and
produce quality theater which involves both youth and adults in performances, while also providing
educational opportunities for attendees of local areas schools and programs provided by other nonprofit organizations. We believe in reaching for the stars, as there is never a goal too high or a
challenge too difficult to achieve.
We know that as we continue to pursue our mission with devotion, perseverance and inspiration, we
will also continue to bring awareness of the arts to the community we serve and success as the
Resident Company of The Strand.
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Management
CEO/Executive Director
Executive Director
Ms. Meg Fofonoff
Term Start
Jan 1993
Email
[email protected]
Experience
Meg (Margaret) Fofonoff founded Fiddlehead Theatre Company in 1993 and continues to produce
performances that align with the mission of Fiddlehead while driving the artistic direction of the
company. Over its 20-year history Meg has established Fiddlehead as an IRNE award-winning
theater company and one of the top regional theaters in the Boston area. It was through Meg’s
leadership and forward-thinking direction that Fiddlehead entered into its 2012 partnership with the
City of Boston and began the company’s historic residency at the Strand Theatre.
Margaret has directed such shows as: To Kill A Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer
Night's Dream, Meet Me in St. Louis, Fiddlehead Theatre: The Best of Broadway, Pirates of
Penzance and The Fantasticks. She has also directed a staged reading of Spring Fling (a new work
she has co-authored based on The Snow Ball by A.R. Gurney).
Meg functions as Education Director, hiring the Fiddlehead Theatre Academy Staff as well as
selecting the programming for the Children’s Theatre Division. She has directed various productions
for children ages 8-16 including Pirates of Penzance, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Beauty
and the Beast, Guys and Dolls and Judy Moody Books Onstage (a premiere). Meg has also forged
partnerships with schools and community groups throughout the Boston area to help educate
children of all abilities and backgrounds in the theatre arts.
Meg belongs to professional theater organizations including: Stage Source, The National Alliance of
Musical Theater, the Dedham Square Business Alliance and the League of Professional Theatre
Women. She graduated from Boston University with honors and a dual degree in English and
French Literature and holds a certificate in art history and the French language from the University
of Brussels. As well as being a patron of live theater, Margaret dedicates her career to making
theatrical experiences more available and sharing her passion for the arts.
Senior Staff
Title
Experience/Biography
Staff Information
Full Time Staff
2
Part Time Staff
0
Volunteers
40
Contractors
1
9
Retention Rate
100%
Staff Demographics - Ethnicity
African American/Black
0
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
Caucasian
2
Hispanic/Latino
0
Native American/American Indian
0
Other
0
Staff Demographics - Gender
Male
0
Female
2
Unspecified
0
Formal Evaluations
CEO Formal Evaluation
Yes
CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency
Annually
Senior Management Formal Evaluation
N/A
Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency
N/A
NonManagement Formal Evaluation
Yes
Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency
Semi-Annually
Plans & Policies
Organization has a Fundraising Plan?
Yes
Organization has a Strategic Plan?
No
Does your organization have a Business Continuity No
of Operations Plan?
Management Succession Plan?
No
Organization Policy and Procedures
Under Development
Nondiscrimination Policy
Under Development
Whistleblower Policy
Yes
Document Destruction Policy
Yes
Is your organization licensed by the Government?
Yes
Collaborations
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Fiddlehead collaborates with a number of organizations including Uphams Corner Main Streets,
DSNI, ACLU, the City of Boston, The Dedham Square Business Alliance, the Dorchester Boys and
Girls Clubs as well as numerous schools and community based organizations in conjunction with
our youth programs.
Awards
Awards
Award/Recognition
Organization
Year
Best Support Actress - Ragtime
Independent Reviewers of New
England Association
2013
Affiliations
Affiliation
Year
National Alliance for Musical Theatres - Voting
Member
0
0
Comments
CEO Comments
Fiddlehead Theatre Company employs more than 80 cast, crew and musicians over the course of
an average season. Every one of these individuals is considered part of the Fiddlehead Company
and each is chosen for his/her abilities. In creating the strongest team at Fiddlehead, we choose
the brightest and most accomplished theater professionals and artists in the theater industry. We
are proud to have music directors that are graduates of Berkley College of Music, have worked in
Paris and Budapest, and are accomplished arrangers/composers living in New York. Our scenic
designers are professors in leading theater programs and award winning designers. Our
choreographers are IRNE award winning artists. Our orchestras are large and consist of carefully
chosen musicians who are the very best in Boston, making our orchestras of Broadway quality. Our
casts are chosen from a pool of 400 individuals who audition per production and from that only the
strongest singers, dancers and actors make the final cut. All of our designers, production team,
administrative staff and performers, are carefully chosen based on the great talents they can bring
to Fiddlehead.
Note: The numbers above in staff information do not reflect those we engage in the company for
each production nor do the ethnicity and gender as these change depending on each individual
presentation.
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Board & Governance
Board Chair
Board Chair
Ms. Meg Fofonoff
Company Affiliation
Fiddlehead Theatre Company
Term
Aug 1993 to 0
Email
[email protected]
Board Members
Name
Affiliation
Status
Ms. Millient Bell
Director, Writer
Voting
Cornelius Chapman Esq.
Burns & Levinson
Voting
Ms. Meg Fofonoff
Fiddlehead Theatre Company
Voting
Ms. Rita Fucillo
New Venture Media Group
Voting
Ms. Sarah Henken
Director, Fashion Consultant,
Holistic Wellness Administrator
Voting
Ms. Eileen Logan
Development Consultant
Voting
Ms. Maureen Peterson
Community Volunteer
Voting
Ms. Maggie Tyler
President, Draper Group LLC
Voting
Ms. Reverend Liz Walker
Community Volunteer
Mr. Craig D . Zuckerman CPA
Craig D. Zuckerman, CPA
Board Demographics - Ethnicity
African American/Black
1
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
Caucasian
9
Hispanic/Latino
0
Native American/American Indian
0
Other
0
Board Demographics - Gender
Male
2
Female
8
Unspecified
0
Board Information
Board Term Lengths
2
Number of Full Board Meetings Annually
4
12
Voting
Written Board Selection Criteria?
Under Development
Written Conflict of Interest Policy?
Under Development
Percentage Making Monetary Contributions
90%
Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions
50%
Constituency Includes Client Representation
Yes
Standing Committees
Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts
Additional Board Members and Affiliations
Name
Affiliation
Ms. Rachel Assaf
Actor, Choreographer, Director
Mr. Joseph Cronin
Lecturer, BU School of Education
Mr. Gene Dante
Ms. Rita Gardner
Ms. Wendy Hall
Mr. John Iredale
The Karsten Company, President
Mr. Matthew McKee
Mr. Matthew Romero
Mr. Balint Varga
Ms. Celeste Wilson
Comments
CEO Comments
Fiddlehead is in the process of interviewing and recruiting new members to the Board of Directors
who are stakeholders the community we serve as well as those who have the skills and talents we
need to move forward successfully. In the past, Fiddlehead has been well served by its current
Board. They have been dedicated and understand our needs. However, moving into The Strand
and the Dorchester/Roxbury area provides us with the great opportunity to reach out to a number of
individuals who will strengthen the company by helping us provide the types of programs most
desired by the residents of the communities we serve. We are looking for board members who are
passionately devoted to working with the community and making this world a better place.
Fiddlehead also recognizes the importance of creating a Youth Board who will serve as advisors for
our youth programs and productions. We are currently working with a group of interested teens that
will participate in the Pop-Up Production of FAME Jr, which will be presented in Dorchester this fall.
It is our hope that some from this group will continue their work with Fiddlehead. We will also be
recruiting from area schools and other organizations serving youth in our area. We look forward to
producing youth productions at the same level of quality as our professional shows and experiences
that change young people’s lives.
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Financials
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year Start
Aug 01, 2014
Fiscal Year End
July 31, 2015
Projected Revenue
$341,000.00
Projected Expenses
$402,000.00
Endowment?
No
Spending Policy
Income Only
Credit Line?
No
Reserve Fund?
No
Months Reserve Fund Covers
0
Detailed Financials
Revenue and Expenses
Fiscal Year
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Revenue Sources
Fiscal Year
Foundation and Corporation
Contributions
Government Contributions
Federal
State
Local
Unspecified
Individual Contributions
Indirect Public Support
Earned Revenue
Investment Income, Net of Losses
Membership Dues
Special Events
Revenue In-Kind
Other
2013
$503,050
$448,243
2012
$186,143
$394,105
2011
$84,131
$269,303
2013
--
2012
--
2011
--
$0
----$400,025
-$101,382
$1,643
-----
$0
----$100,000
-$50,911
$35,232
-----
$0
----$275
-$49,910
$33,946
-----
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Expense Allocation
Fiscal Year
Program Expense
Administration Expense
Fundraising Expense
Payments to Affiliates
Total Revenue/Total Expenses
Program Expense/Total Expenses
Fundraising Expense/Contributed
Revenue
Assets and Liabilities
Fiscal Year
Total Assets
Current Assets
Long-Term Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
Short Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current
Liabilities
Long Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets
Top Funding Sources
Fiscal Year
Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount
Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
2013
$295,114
$153,129
$0
-1.12
66%
0%
2012
$205,302
$188,803
--0.47
52%
0%
2011
$103,076
$166,227
--0.31
38%
0%
2013
$302,007
$302,007
$0
$471
$301,536
2012
$246,245
$53,427
$0
$0
$246,245
2011
$454,207
$19,727
$0
$0
$454,207
2013
641.20
2012
--
2011
--
2013
0%
2012
0%
2011
0%
2013
---
2012
---
2011
---
--
--
--
Capital Campaign
Currently in a Capital Campaign?
No
Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years?
Yes
Comments
CEO Comments
In the past three years, Fiddlehead has been in a period of transition and exploration, from owning a
theater in Norwood and using that theater for its base for performances and educational programs,
to achieving its goal in being named as the Resident Theatre Company of The Strand based in
Dorchester. It has been a long time dream to be based in the city and to help a community grow and
prosper. It is Fiddlehead’s destiny to have found the Strand, and to help preserve and protect this
historic piece of Boston architecture as well as serve the communities needs. As a result of this first
dormant phase of its 20 year history, revenue and fundraising efforts declined for a period of time as
the company restructured, and finally found a place to hang it’s hat. Fiddlehead has been purposely
moving its orientation to serve a broader community with quality productions and expanding its
Youth Programs to serve a more diverse community. Following productions of A Closer Walk with
Patsy Cline at the John Hancock Hall at the Back Bay Events Center and the award winning
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Ragtime: The Musical at the Strand, Fiddlehead has found its home. As one enthusiastic patron
exclaimed, “ I have not seen such a diversity of age, gender and ethnicity in any other theater in
Boston. This is amazing!.” We have an unparalleled 2014/2015 season with planned productions of
AIDA(An Exclusive Production), The Wiz and Jesus Christ Superstar. A major fundraising effort is
underway to support these initiatives, including a celebration of our 20th Anniversary. With the
news of the named residency Fiddlehead received a major donor gift of $200,000 in June 2013,
marking the beginning of this effort, an additional donation of $50,000 in 2014 and support of
$35,000 from a foundation. We are also delighted to have secured multiple smaller gifts ranging
from $5,000 to $25.
Foundation Staff Comments
Financial summary data in charts and graphs are per the organization's IRS 990s. Contributions
from foundations and corporations are listed under individuals when the breakout was not available.
Please note, the Budget Projections document, posted above, is per the nonprofit for your
reference.
Created 05.13.2017.
Copyright © 2017 The Boston Foundation
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