Join a Premier Donor Circle
Directors Society and Ovation Society
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Members of these special groups act on their love of our theatre and dedication to our community by supporting Hartford Stage at a level that makes the experience possible for countless others to enjoy. Enjoy extraordinary benefits and access as a reward for your extraordinary generosity when you become a member of Directors Society (starting at an annual gift of $1,500 for a single person or $2,500 for a couple) or Ovation Society (starting at $10,000).
Whether you subscribe to opening night performances or not, you’ll be invited to join in the celebration of each new MainStage production at an elegant pre-show buffet dinner, a favorite benefit of our members. Other opportunities abound to meet artists and enjoy the company of fellow members—some of the most creative, influential and sophisticated theatre-lovers in the area.
Contact Jeremy Barrows, Associate Director of Development for Individual Giving, at jeremybarrows@hartfordstage.org or (860) 520-7246
Benefits for all members of Directors Society and Ovation Society:
- Opening Night Dinner Receptions at least five times per season.
- Guest privileges for two people for one Opening Night Dinner and performance.
- Listing in every theatre program and on lobby boards.
- V.I.P. access to house seats for Hartford Stage productions (based on availability).
- Six parking vouchers for the MAT garage adjacent to the theatre.
- Gift certificate for two bring-a-friend tickets.
- Coupons for free drinks and snacks at lobby bars.
- Invitation to all Technical/Dress Rehearsals, at least 5 times per season—watch the cast & crew put finishing touches on a show days before the first performance.
- Try-To-Better subscription exchange privilege: when you exchange subscription tickets for another performance, Box Office will give you priority for the best seat locations that may become available.
- Invitation to the Annual Gala.
- Use of the theatre lobby for private parties (rental fee waived) — celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion at Hartford Stage.
- Subscription to StageNotes newsletter.
- “Donor Bonus” email bulletins with news and special offers.
- Invitation to the Annual Meeting.
Directors Society Benefits
Basic Levels:
Monologue Circle $1,500 - $2,499 (all but $359 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Invitation for one person to all Opening Night Dinner Receptions
Theatre Circle $2,500 - $3,499 (all but $539 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Invitation for two people to all Opening Night Dinner Receptions
Enhance your Hartford Stage experience with premier benefits!
Marquee Circle $3,500 - $4,999 (all but $559 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Invitation to a private backstage tour of the theatre’s facility with Artistic Director Michael Wilson and/or members of the senior staff.
- Free admission to readings in the annual Brand:NEW Festival of New Plays.
- Choice of theatre program or poster from the season, autographed by the cast and director.
Grand Circle $5,000 - $9,999 (all but $605 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Opportunity to set aside $1,500 of your gift to join an affinity group that supports artistic programs close to your heart. Choose either:
- Producers on the Edge to support new play development and world premieres, or
- Classics Council to support productions of classics and great modern plays.
- Invitation to at least two salon discussions with guest artists, one each devoted to projects sponsored by Producers on the Edge and Classics Council.
- V.I.P. access to house seats for participating Broadway productions and other theatres (based on availability and with one week notice).
- Four additional complimentary parking vouchers for use during A Christmas Carol, SummerStage and other Hartford Stage programs.
Ovation Society Benefits
Performance Circle $10,000 - $14,999 (all but $705 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Annual Ovation Society dinner with Artistic Director Michael Wilson and Managing Director Michael Stotts
- A bound set of scripts for the entire MainStage season, provided in advance.
- Unlimited “refills”, on request, of coupons for free drinks and snacks at lobby bars.
- Opportunity to set aside $3,000 of your gift to join both affinity groups: Producers on the Edge and Classics Council (see Grand Circle).
Producer Circle $15,000 - $24,999 (all but $705 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- Acknowledgment as an Assisting Sponsor of one Hartford Stage production or education program of your choice, including recognition on the title page of the theatre program and in other selected media.
Artistic Circle $25,000+ (all but $1,845 of your gift may be tax-deductible)
- A private pre-show dinner reception with Artistic Director Michael Wilson and Managing Director Michael Stotts and twenty guests
Tax deductibility and waiving benefits
You may waive certain benefits to make your entire gift potentially tax deductible. These items with a fair-market value include Opening Night Dinner Receptions, bar coupons, parking vouchers and guest tickets. You will still receive other benefits, including public recognition (unless you prefer anonymity), VIP ticket access, and invitations to the Gala and technical/dress rehearsals.
Producers on the Edge and Classics Council
These two affinity groups invite you to declare your support for two of the pillars of Hartford Stage’s mission, which each presents special funding challenges: nurturing new work that adds to the theatrical repertory, and creating fresh revivals of great works from the past. At the Grand Circle level of Directors Society, you may choose to set aside $1,500 to join either group and receive extra recognition in a production program; as an Ovation Society member you can join both.
Click here for the lower levels of support in the StageBuilders Annual Campaign.