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This
year we celebrate the tangible results of planning efforts with our inaugural
exhibitions. The first on display from January to March 2007 at the Municipal
Art Society in Manhattan and our second currently on view until May 2008 at the
Waterfront Museum in the up and coming area of Red Hook Brooklyn. Even
as The Theatre Museum continues as a museum at large, we fulfill our mission to
preserve, protect and perpetuate the legacy of theatre. Our Board of trustees,
advisory committee, staff and volunteers consistently demonstrated their commitment
to the vision of our work. Public
programs that have taken hold and are expanding include the Meet the Author series
both on line and in person. A sensational straw hat summer reception in July 2006
at the East Hampton home of Board Chair Stewart F. Lane and Advisory Committee
Member Bonnie Comley welcomed Chris Lemmon chatting with guests and signing copies
of his memoirs about his father Jack. A Twist of Lemmon made for good summer reading
and introduced a new generation to a deeply revered actor as introduced by his
son. In February 2007, as part of the TIMES SQUARE: A New Century, A New Style
exhibition at the Municipal Art Society, curator/author Craig Morrison regaled
a full house with anecdotes and interesting architectural facts from his book
about the architecture of theatres. And Stewart Lane was on hand for a book signing
at Elaine's in Manhattan of Let's Put on a Show his guide to novice producers.
The year ahead has us planning a series that will highlight the work of this year's
honorees at our Awards Ceremony. The
2006 Awards Ceremony at the Hudson Theatre was another grand success with Jim
Dale as our host. The honorees for Theatre History Preservation (Fred Pappert
as founder and president of 42nd Street Development Corp.for his individual contribution
and The Manhattan Theatre Club for the restoration of the Biltmore Theatre for
organizational contribution) and Theatre Arts Education (Lundeana M. Thomas, Ph.D.
for development of The African American Theatre Program at U. of Louisvilel for
individual contribution and The Drama League Directors Project for organizational
contribution) were delighted to receive our honor acknowledging their work. The
new fiscal year which began in July 2007 with a special reception for SHOWBOAT
ROUND THE BEND holds more promise than ever as we continue with our exhibition
at the Waterfront Museum until May 2008. Our first symposium weekend took place
aboard the barge in October. This special weekend featured an array of distinguished
scholars, renowned authors and an eclectic array of performing talent. Our special
guest - Julie Gilbert - is not only a scholar about, but the grand niece of, Edna
Ferber who wrote the novel SHOWBOAT. Our
continuing search for a permanent home as we function as a museum-at-large, becomes
more pressing as more people learn about us. The ultimate question is - where
is the museum? When can I visit? We will only be able to answer that question
when we have the commitment and collaboration of the political, real estate and
corporate communities to bring the vision of the museum into reality as a unique
destination for both tourists and local residents. We
invite you to become part of our effort with your gifts of time, energy, ideas
and resources.
Sincerely,
Helen Marie Guditis
President/CEO
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