Dearest Imagine Community,
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Wow.... What can I say about Imagine's 4th year?
When Lauren Pickthorn and myself started Imagine Theatre along with a handful of dedicated families back in the summer of 2020, we set out to build a place for all youth to experience community and the arts. We truly had no idea it would have led to what Imagine is today. In the past 4 years we have...
We are without a doubt wrapping up an outstanding 4th Season and I can honestly share that our 5th Season is shaping out to be even stronger. Please read below to learn more about the growth & changes coming to Imagine during our 5th Season. |
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Direction
The Imagine Board of Directors, Strategic Planning Committee, Staff and myself are excited to introduce our updated Vision, Mission and Value statements that will guide the organization well into the future. These updates were done with great discernment, community input, and with guidance from Mercy Corp Northwest who has been mentoring us through a strategic planning process during the past year. It may seem like the updated statements are not a huge change to the current feel and direction of the Organization, and in fact that was part of the intention. The original statements were created in a 3 week timeframe to fulfill business licensing requirements before our first term of classes could start. Those original statements served us well for 4 years, but it was time to revisit these guiding principles so that they more accurately define who Imagine is and who we want to be. I would like to thank everyone who was a part of this process - your time and dedication to this process will serve Imagine for years to come. Check them out on the graphic, or go to imaginetheatre.org/about |
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Staffing
With the growth we continue to experience, the Board of Directors and myself are committed to scaling our organization to meet the growing needs. In addition to increased hours for all staff positions, we are thrilled to welcome Angeline Hill to the team in our newest staff role - Fundraising & Special Events Coordinator. In this role Angeline will oversee our two large fundraising events of the season, one in Fall and our spring gala. If you attended our gala this past May then you know how perfect Angeline is for this role. Additionally, Angeline and I will be working closely together on all things fundraising and sponsors to better meet the need in our community. Please warmly welcome her! |
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Building
As programs get added, and new staff and youth join us, our need for space, storage, and access to materials grows. To meet this need we are excited to share that we have secured a formal office and accompanying storage space inside our rehearsal location - Oak Grove United Methodist Church. The office and storage space, in the classroom next door, allow us to store items onsite that we use on a weekly basis. Staff will enjoy a full size business printer & not having to store supplies in their homes, students will enjoy easier access to costumes and props being used for current shows & classes, and Show Committees will enjoy having all of their materials for current productions at the rehearsal location. This strategic move should minimize and, in some cases, eliminate the need for committees to trek out to our Montavilla storage site regularly. Montavilla storage does remain home to our costumes and prop/sets storage. Other benefits of our new space here at OGUMC include consistent meeting spaces and more secured space for programming, with room to groww.
As programs get added, and new staff and youth join us, our need for space, storage, and access to materials grows. To meet this need we are excited to share that we have secured a formal office and accompanying storage space inside our rehearsal location - Oak Grove United Methodist Church. The office and storage space, in the classroom next door, allow us to store items onsite that we use on a weekly basis. Staff will enjoy a full size business printer & not having to store supplies in their homes, students will enjoy easier access to costumes and props being used for current shows & classes, and Show Committees will enjoy having all of their materials for current productions at the rehearsal location. This strategic move should minimize and, in some cases, eliminate the need for committees to trek out to our Montavilla storage site regularly. Montavilla storage does remain home to our costumes and prop/sets storage. Other benefits of our new space here at OGUMC include consistent meeting spaces and more secured space for programming, with room to groww.
New Program: Pro-Workshop Series
We are ecstatic to announce our new Pro-Workshop Series. Imagine Theatre has partnered with BroadwayPlus to bring Broadway Across America professionals, currently on tour at the Keller, here to Imagine to provide workshops! This year we will be offering 2 dance focused workshops - one with an actor on tour with Wicked and another on tour with Hamilton. Check out the age restrictions, cost, and dates on our website!
We are ecstatic to announce our new Pro-Workshop Series. Imagine Theatre has partnered with BroadwayPlus to bring Broadway Across America professionals, currently on tour at the Keller, here to Imagine to provide workshops! This year we will be offering 2 dance focused workshops - one with an actor on tour with Wicked and another on tour with Hamilton. Check out the age restrictions, cost, and dates on our website!
New Program: Thespian Troupe
For our middle school through high school students we are excited to be rolling out a formal Thespian Troupe Program. Thespian Troupes are synonymous with high school theatrical experiences and now middle school students get to be a part of the fun too! Being a part of a Troupe, and later being inducted as a formal Thespian into the International Thespian Society, allows students to attend state-wide theatrical conferences, workshops, and competitions where they can meet like-minded youth and work with top notch professionals. Our Troupe and the Troupe Director will meet about once a week during the school year, and will focus on diving deep into acting techniques, building community, serving community, and so much more.
For our middle school through high school students we are excited to be rolling out a formal Thespian Troupe Program. Thespian Troupes are synonymous with high school theatrical experiences and now middle school students get to be a part of the fun too! Being a part of a Troupe, and later being inducted as a formal Thespian into the International Thespian Society, allows students to attend state-wide theatrical conferences, workshops, and competitions where they can meet like-minded youth and work with top notch professionals. Our Troupe and the Troupe Director will meet about once a week during the school year, and will focus on diving deep into acting techniques, building community, serving community, and so much more.
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General Programming Updates
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Inclusion & Accessibility
Inclusion has long been a core value here at Imagine and each year we take meaningful and tangible steps to reduce barriers. This past year we introduced Sensory Performances during Seussical The Musical, we maintained our $5 Arts for All tickets for those with SNAP benefits, and we continued our FlexPay option for 2 performances each show - allowing patrons to name their price in return for tickets.
As always we offered low-barrier scholarships to anyone who applies, payment plans, and for the second year in a row we offered a deposit payment option for Summer programming. This summer we also offered a tiered pricing system for the Teen Intensive. All of these avenues lead us to being a more inclusive community. These, and all of the other ways we are inclusive that were not mentioned, will remain in the coming season.
This year we will be adding two more paths for accessibility:
Class Registration Deposit Method Option
Over the past 2 summers we have seen the amount of families utilizing our deposit payment method for registration increase. To meet this need, starting this Fall all classes will have our Deposit Method as a payment option. Folks can still opt to pay in full at time of registration, but you can also opt to pay 30% + $10 Deposit Method Fee at time of registration to secure your student's spot. The remaining 70% can then be paid over the next few months with the balance being due by Showcase of that term. More details can be found on our class registration page linked below!
Inclusion has long been a core value here at Imagine and each year we take meaningful and tangible steps to reduce barriers. This past year we introduced Sensory Performances during Seussical The Musical, we maintained our $5 Arts for All tickets for those with SNAP benefits, and we continued our FlexPay option for 2 performances each show - allowing patrons to name their price in return for tickets.
As always we offered low-barrier scholarships to anyone who applies, payment plans, and for the second year in a row we offered a deposit payment option for Summer programming. This summer we also offered a tiered pricing system for the Teen Intensive. All of these avenues lead us to being a more inclusive community. These, and all of the other ways we are inclusive that were not mentioned, will remain in the coming season.
This year we will be adding two more paths for accessibility:
Class Registration Deposit Method Option
Over the past 2 summers we have seen the amount of families utilizing our deposit payment method for registration increase. To meet this need, starting this Fall all classes will have our Deposit Method as a payment option. Folks can still opt to pay in full at time of registration, but you can also opt to pay 30% + $10 Deposit Method Fee at time of registration to secure your student's spot. The remaining 70% can then be paid over the next few months with the balance being due by Showcase of that term. More details can be found on our class registration page linked below!
ASL Interpretation
After successful fundraising this past winter, and wide success during our Gala, Imagine Theatre is beyond excited to be offering one ASL interpreted performance at both shows this season. We want to thank everyone who made this possible. In addition to this, we will be doing intentional marketing about these performance to make sure those who would benefit from ASL interpretation will be aware.
For both of these new paths for Accessibility, we are committed to keeping them for years to come while also continuing to form new paths. These, like everything else we do, is to make Theatre more accessible and inclusive for All.
After successful fundraising this past winter, and wide success during our Gala, Imagine Theatre is beyond excited to be offering one ASL interpreted performance at both shows this season. We want to thank everyone who made this possible. In addition to this, we will be doing intentional marketing about these performance to make sure those who would benefit from ASL interpretation will be aware.
For both of these new paths for Accessibility, we are committed to keeping them for years to come while also continuing to form new paths. These, like everything else we do, is to make Theatre more accessible and inclusive for All.
(I chose the pictures above because their essence represents the core of Imagine - community, family & down right silly fun ❤️)
I want to end this with a heartfelt thank you because you all make what we do possible. Your trust and value for the program allow the amazing 80+ youth we served this year feel loved, valued, and cherished. With your help the youth and Imagine as a whole have been able to thrive on stage and off. You are a critical part of what makes Imagine special. Because of you, we continue to make Theatre for All.
I sincerely hope that you continue to help shape the success of Imagine because you are each a deeply loved part of this community and family.
Much love & excitement,
Alec Martinez
Executive Director of Imagine Theatre
Executive Director of Imagine Theatre
