2016/2017 R EPO RT TO TH E COMMU N IT Y
TAKE CARE OF THIS HOUSE
It’s hard to believe this year marked the FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMITH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. Thanks to a true community-wide effort, our opening night five years ago signified a transformation of Southern Nevada’s cultural landscape. THE YEARS SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN A WHIRLWIND. To start, we have succeeded in presenting world-renowned performers who local audiences might otherwise never see in Las Vegas. Highlights of our 1,906 performances include the best of music, theater and dance. We also launched two national Broadway tours, and produced two original shows. With public support helping us maintain accessible ticket prices, we have already generated more than two million ticket sales. Your contributions have also helped us provide arts education experiences for students throughout the community. This includes presenting educational student matinees in our theaters for 370,673 local students, at no cost to schools. This past fiscal year has only continued our path of success. We expanded our full-series subscriber base an astonishing 30 percent, following our first Season Showcase event that was a tremendous hit. NOW, WE LOOK AT THESE SUCCESSES AS A PRECURSOR OF MUCH MORE TO COME. On the heels of our anniversary, we have many plans brewing, including exploring more new works, expanding our outreach, and presenting more top-tier artists from around the globe. The generous support of community members like you, Southern Nevada Ford and Nevada State Bank make all of these impactful efforts possible. On behalf of The Smith Center family, I EXPRESS OUR GREATEST THANKS TO YOU. We look forward to keeping Southern Nevada’s Heart of the Arts beating for our children and our children’s children.
MYRON G. MARTIN President and CEO
Fifth Anniversary Concert, March 2017
Every time I am at The Smith Center, I say “I love this place!� And it is because I truly love what we have created for Las Vegas and all of us who live here.
DON SNYDER Chairman of the Board
PHOTO BY BRIAN BOWEN
DRUMline LIVE
Move-Beyond — Live On Tour
Deepak Chopra
317,662
tickets sold to patrons over the past year
Taj Express — The Bollywood Musical Revue
WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES
11,977
The Smith Center continues to present the best of music, theater and dance for Southern Nevada residents to enjoy in their own backyard. This past year truly offered something for all audiences, with a broad range of captivating shows including MOVE-BEYOND—Live On Tour, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, Deepak Chopra and Tony®-winning musicals like An American in Paris.
NICK SPANGLER AND THE AN AMERICAN IN PARIS TOURING COMPANY. PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY.
subscribers to the 2016-2017 Broadway Las Vegas® season
An American in Paris
393
performances at The Smith Center
EDUCATION
3,105
teacher nominations received for the 2017 Heart of Education Awards
“During the Obama-Biden administration, I had the opportunity to meet with incredible people from around the world—artists and creators and scientists who change how we see the world, presidents and monarchs whose decisions changed millions of lives. But when I think about the people who are truly shaping the future, I don’t think about those luminaries or world leaders.
I THINK OF A ROOM LIKE THIS, FULL OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU. I THINK OF TEACHERS.” — DR. JILL BIDEN, former Second Lady of the United States, Keynote Speaker for the 2017 Heart of Education Awards
Dr. Jill Biden and Myron Martin
20
$100,000
deserving teachers received a combined as Heart of Education Award winners, recognizing their outstanding work
“The Heart of Education Awards says, ‘I recognize what you’re doing in your classroom really matters—the time and energy and effort.’ I was just floored to receive such an honor.” —JEFFREY HINTON, 2017 Heart of Education winner
37,767
Elaine Wynn, 2016 keynote speaker and Myron Martin at the Southern Nevada Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child Fifth Anniversary Celebration
students and teachers experienced in-school performances addressing the goals of the Southern Nevada Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child initiative
EDUCATION
824
Southern Nevada educators participated in professional development sessions presented by Kennedy Center and visiting teaching artists
“When I heard my name announced, it was like a moment stopped in time. I really didn’t expect it. What’s in store for my future I have no idea, but this might be a little sign that I have something in my future.”
—NATHAN SINK, 2017 Nevada High School Musical Theater Award Best Actor
1,399
school buses transported students to The Smith Center campus
84,450
students and teachers participated in student matinees this school year
“The kids were engaged and had a wonderful time. Sometimes they see math and think ‘Oh this is boring, why do I need to learn this?’ This was able to show them how they could use math in a lot of different, fun ways.”
—RHONDA BREIT, third-grade teacher at Sunrise Acres Elementary School, attendee of “Lights Camera Math!” student matinee
436
students and teachers participated in the Disney Musicals in Schools program during the school year
“You see some of the kids start totally inward, and then go through each step to the point they’re singing and dancing with every ounce of their soul.” —ANASTASIA WEISS, 2016-17 Disney Musicals in Schools teaching artist
150 theater-loving kids attended Camp Broadway
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
164 volunteers gave a combined
10,597 hours over the past year
Smith Center volunteer Lyle Wheeler received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Silver Medal
CCSD Back-to-School Kickoff Event, 2016
9
89
private and special events held including meetings, receptions, dinners, fundraisers, weddings and more
couples who said “I do� at The Smith Center over the past year (including one staff wedding!)
25,686
Voting Rally, 2016
guests attended special events at The Smith Center
3,083
donors demonstrated their belief in our mission through their generosity over the past year, contributing a combined $4,867,042 in membership and corporate support
OUR FOUNDERS AND VISIONARY DONORS These generous philanthropists provided the crucial initial funding support to help others believe in the promise of The Smith Center.
Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Don and Dee Snyder and Family Nancy and Kell Houssels Fred W. and Mary B. Smith William S. and Judy Boyd Beverly and Jim Rogers Wendy and Richard Plaster Johnny A. Ribeiro, Jr. Family Trust Keith G. Boman, M.D. Cirque du Soleil Thomas & Mack Company Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Jacqulyn C. Shropshire The Caesars Foundation The Fertitta Family Eileen and Allen Anes Norman M. Forrester and William R. Griffin Richard T. and Jeri S. Crawford Don and Susan Ackerman Drs. M. Nafees and Shamim N. Nagy
MGM Resorts International Jerry and Maryanna Herbst NV Energy Boyd Gaming Corporation Wells Fargo Theodore, Doris, Greg, Dana and Ernest Lee Clark County School District Fred and Harriet Cox Charles L. Atwood Las Vegas Review-Journal The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company The Knauss Family Dennis and Carol Troesh Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Lori and Mark James and Phyllis Frias Mary C. Cashman Cox Communications, Inc. Elaine Wynn Bennett Family Foundation
Janice and Fred Allen and Gary L. Haupt Tony Hsieh Diane and Robert Bigelow Madeleine and Don Andress Bonnie and Bill Paulos The Charles N. Mathewson Foundation John and Nancy Shepherd Las Vegas Sands Lovee and Bob Arum Wynn Resorts Cliff and Donna Findlay Family Carolyn and Gary Hanna The John C. Kish Foundation Stella and Rob Roy City of Las Vegas Clark County State of Nevada The Engelstad Family Laurie and Curtis Alexander Windsong Trust
DONORS
CAPSTONE CAMPAIGN DONORS Desert Radiologists Leonard and Linda Eckhaus GCA Sheryl and Rob Goldstein Madison and Susan Graves Jeanne G. Greenawalt and The Cahlen Families Robin and Danny Greenspun Joe Hollis Andrew, Carson, Brooke and Lacey Levy J. Randall and Kathleen Jones
AS OF 6/30/17
Tina and Harold Lewis/Lewis Family Foundation Sue and Paul Lowden and Family For CMSgt. & Mrs. George E. Malone & Heather Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation The Matthews Family Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center Phillip C. Peckman and Schafer E. Peckman Larry and Audrey Plotkin Ted and Maria Quirk Tony and Chris Rose and Family
The Siegfried and Roy Foundation Pauline Collins Sells Southern Nevada Wine & Spirits of Nevada Robert S. Spencer and Susan T. Spencer Dr. and Mrs. Leon H. Steinberg E. L. Wiegand Foundation Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada, Inc. Buck and Aurora Wong
MEMBERS PLATINUM Mary C. Cashman The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation Ritholz–Jarvis 1990 Trust The Hearst Foundation Windsong Trust Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation
GOLD
Dr. Tyree and Mary Carr Peter and Angela Dal Pezzo Patrick C. Duffy Richard M. Haddrill J. Stuart Haldan Fund held at Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation Carolyn Hanna Joe Hollis United Way of Southern Nevada Women’s Leadership Council
SILVER
Janice Allen Ameriprise Financial Services Michael F. Bolognini Keith G. Boman, M.D. Ande and Glenn Christenson Paula Degner Richard Ditton and Deborah DeLanoy Christina and Alan Feldman Katherine M. Ferguson Fred and Kris Hipwell Nancy and Kell Houssels Don Jones and Christopher Gannon Todd-Avery Lenahan Tina and Harold Lewis/Lewis Family Foundation Scott Y. MacTaggart, Esq. Irwin Molasky Jerry Nadal John Nelson and Milo Miloscia Wendy and Richard Plaster Rory and Cindy Reid Benson and Lee Riseman Tony and Christine Rose Scientific Games Don and Dee Snyder and Family Roger Thomas and Arthur Libera Mark and Sandra Tratos Greenberg Traurig Wynn Resorts, Limited Renee and Michael Yackira
BRONZE
Jeremy and Christina Alberts Lovee and Bob Arum Gloria, George, Dana, and BJ Balaban Bank of Nevada Selma F. Bartlett Basch Anderson Miller Group Leora and Robert Blau and Family Heidi and Lawrence Canarelli and Family Gary and Cindy Ellis
Norman M. Forrester and William R. Griffin Friedman Charitable Foundation Randy and Staci Garcia Daniel Hamilton and Mary-Ann Winkelmes Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt-Merel Heather and Brian Harris Barbara and Greg Heinrich Betty and Irwin Helford Henriksen Butler Kynesha Jackson Deborah Jacob and Dow Timmen Bob and Alison Kasner Chris and Marianne Lane The Larsen Family Bonnie Lemert Robert E. Lewis Real Estate Corporation The Matthews Family Lark McCarthy and Michael Thomas, M.D. Dr. Mark and Amy McKenzie Greg and Karen McKinley Mike and Maureen Mekjian Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Linda and David Mizrahi and Family Nevada Arts Council Marsha Newman and Stan Pollack Schafer E. and Phillip C. Peckman David Redfearn, Ph.D. The Robinson and Frankoff Families Linda Schimberg Tariq Shaukat Miriam Shearing Michael Silberling Les J. Silver and Andrea Rothschild-Silver Steinberg Family Foundation John and Carol Taylor Francisco ‘TJ’ Tejeda TRAX International Corporation George S. Tu and Amy Kao Virtus Companies Tim and Shari Wong
$5,000+
Brian Abbott Perry and Gae Basch The Beef Jerky Store Catherine and Craig Bitterman BNY Mellon Tony and Linda Bonnici Don Carrier and Rene de Guzman Denise and Tim Cashman The Honorable Kathleen E. Delaney The Donelson Family Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation Kathryn and Herman Fox Marlene and Ivan Friedmutter Lana and Victor Fuchs Chuck, Jon and Megan Halsey Elaine Hodgson David and Mary Jane Kates Irwin, Sharon and Joanna Kishner
Dr. Nancy and Sheldon Laube Thomas and Judy Leahy Doris and Ted Lee Dr. John and Carole Lepore Paul and Sherry Loewe Gary L. McCreary and Damon M. Lang Dr. Robert and Dr. Lori Merrell New England Foundation for the Arts Patricia and Peter Niemczyk Joe and Helen Nutting Angela and Paul Otto The Roesener Family Fund The Salvucci Family Trust Tony and Elaine Sanchez Charles Sapp and Saundra Vance Jared and Claire Shafer Pat and Joy Shalmy Shapiro & Sher Group Ivan and Jennifer Sher Patricia and Charles Sprincin The Stewarts—Todd, Carol, Joseph and Jillian Daisy William W. Warner Margie and Steve Wilkinson The Richard S. Worthington Family Dr. Randall and Jennifer Yee
$2,500+
Dr. Sherif and Nahed Abdou Debbie Albano L. Eddie Ball Donna Balon Laurel Barry Michael Benassi Shelley Berkley Dr. and Mrs. Dwyte E. Brooks Marcia and George Chami Chiropractic Health Services Victor and Wendy Colosi Cragin & Pike Krista and Rick Darnold Peter and Becky Emminger Rhonda C. Evans Deanna Forbush Deborah E. Franklin Elaine Galatz The Honorable Mayors Carolyn and Oscar B. Goodman Patricia and Andrew Gotelli William and Stephanie Graham Victoria Higgins Drs. Craig and Alexis Iwamoto Tom and Liz Kaplan Adam and Helena Katschke Rick and Lori Kavadas Dr. Ronald and Zugeith Koe Anne and Phil Kohn LuAnn Kutch Wanda Lamb Peccole David H. and Doreen B. Lee AS OF 6/30/17
John McGraw and Deana Bergquist Edward and Gail Miller Sue Moreland and Michael Gardner Brian and May Murphy Joseph and Jessie Louise Murphy Anthony and Amy Ng David and Carol Paderski Margo Provost and Ed Marshall Andree and Richard Reed Jeffrey and Susan Richards David and Lisa Riggleman Barbara Robinson, J.D. and Andres Costas, M.D. Nanette Scofield Smart Software Solutions Rikki Tanenbaum Barbara Tapp Senator Randolph and Robyne Townsend Transamerica Audio Group, Inc. Union Pacific Foundation Regina Von Tobel Sharon Von Tobel Schmitt Sharon and Wydell Williams Elizabeth Woolard-Jones Robb, Alisa and Sydney Worth
$1,000+
Nehme E. Abouzeid and Dr. Nina Mirzayan Abouzeid Alex Painting, Inc. Venetta Appleyard James and Karen Atkins Leigh and Phil Aurbach Paul and Judy Bartolo Carol Benchley Linda and Bruce Berry Gary and Wendy Jo Black Elize and Joe Bravo Patricia and Robert Brinton Margaret M. Carnell Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects Annette and Larry Carter Martin Carver Leah E. Cashman Frank Casullo Dwayne, Ph.D. and Carol Chesnut, Esq. Scott Clish Patricia Coaley and Don Thrasher Bryan J. Cohen Andrew and Julie Cole Phil Cooper Cox Communications Lynn and Terian Day Yvette DeZalia and Carlos R. Espinoza Russell Dorn Everything Medical Christine Faber Lewis Fanger William and Gloria Filbert Jan Fisher Bill and Nancy Fullerton
Jeffery Garofalo George and Nancy Gingerelli Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani Robert Grossman and Carol Sullivan Robert and Phyllis Hable Mark and Marianne Haley Tami Hance and Ben Lehr John and Sheila Hicinbothem Wayne and Kathleen Hillock Home Brew Ohio Yvonne and Robert Houssels, Jr. Connie Hill and Carol Hovenden Yanna Huang Warren and Rita Isom Alfred A. Michael and Iris I. Johnson Charles Jones and Moon-Hui Choi Nolan T. Jones Bart Jones Judy and Terry Jones Drs. Brian and Cindy Kawasaki Kim Kayley and Austin Neukam Lisa Keenan Shana and Robert Kim Shazia Kirmani-Pasha John R. Klai II Lucy Klinkhammer Jacqui Krum Patricia Kujawa Kirk and Teri Lachman Bette LaCombe John and Linda Leach Elizabeth A. Letzler Robert and Melody Lind Larry Lindholm Scott Luebbers and Lois Widell Judy MacGilvary-Glispie and Benford Glispie Debra March James and Priscilla McCarty Wendy and Raul Meoz Kenneth E. and Betty J. Miller Rhonda Mona Charles Moore Jeanne Muchow Lori Nelson Sarah and Wilson Ning LeAnne and John Notabartolo Dr. Mary and Norman J. Novello Kathleen Nylen Bob and Carole Papper Gina Phillips Steve and Susan Philpott Bob Potter with Affordable Concepts Anita Rivkin-Carothers Mark Rouse Roxy and Alise Roxborough Ronald Sage Corey Sanders The Laird Noble Sanders Family Wayne and Jo Schlekewy
SEASON SPONSORS AS OF 6/30/17
Candy and Mike Schneider Brian Schumacher Kathy Shalmy Dorothy Shepherd James Sikora Hal and Sharon Silverberg Clifford Silverstein and Carolyn Kleih Bob and Sandra Smith Fran Smith Terry and Diana Smith Southern Nevada Cyberspace Alliance Eamon Springall David Stalder Dr. Michael and Jennifer Tenby Norman and Carole Terry Lauri Thompson, Allen Bracken, Nik, Alex Dennis and Diane Tilton Diana and Raphael Valencia Carol Bontrager Wagers Barbara and Fred Wasserspring Arnold Wax and Susan Nye Stanley and Adele Weiner Wayne and Beth Weiten Don and Anne Whitaker Shelley Wike Cranley Joe Winchell and Patricia Masciana Dr. John Wohlwend and Dr. Candice Tung Ruth and Mel Wolzinger Judie Woods Loretta Zahn Sandra Zobrist
ENCORE SOCIETY DONORS
Brian Abbott Curtis and Laurie Alexander Eileen and Allen Anes Charles L. Atwood Carol Benchley Allison Bonanno Mary C. Cashman Harriet Cox Leonard and Linda Eckhaus Norman M. Forrester and William R. Griffin Jonathan and Kari Halkyard Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt-Merel Carolyn Hanna Judy and Terry Jones Irwin, Sharon and Joanna Kishner Bonnie Lemert Mark and Lynne Lerner Judy MacGilvary-Glispie and Benford Glispie Connie M. Melcher Larry and Audrey Plotkin Tony Stephens, M.D. Steven and Sharon Strasser Margie and Steve Wilkinson Robert and Sharon Wiviott
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donald D. Snyder, Chairman Dr. Keith Boman, Vice Chairman Mark Tratos, Secretary Michael Yackira, Treasurer Alan Feldman, Member at Large Michael Bolognini Matthew Frazier Randy Garcia Richard Haddrill Fred Hipwell Nancy Houssels
Todd-Avery Lenahan Scott MacTaggart Lark McCarthy Jerry Nadal John Nelson Richard Plaster Rory Reid Benson Riseman Tony Rose Roger Thomas
THE HEART OF OUR TEAM
PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL Gary Ackerman Curtis Alexander Janice Allen Leora Blau Denise Cashman Krista Darnold Valerie Glenn Deborah Jacob
Marianne Lane Mark Lerner Greg McKinley Glenn Meier Craig Miller Alisa Nave-Worth Angela Otto Elaine Sanchez
Jeanette Schneider Seth Schorr Michael Silberling Carolyn Sparks Patricia Sprincin Shari Wong
EXECUTIVE TEAM Myron G. Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Beard, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Burnett, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tim Hanlon, Vice President, Development Candy Schneider, Vice President, Education and Outreach Suzanne Chabre, Vice President, Marketing and Communications Glenn Medas, Vice President, Sales and Programming
AS OF 6/30/17
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF
2012 2017
1,906 performances held since opening More than 2,000,000 tickets sold
10,733 patrons attended campus tours 361 volunteers at The Smith Center 33,546 combined number of volunteer hours 558 private and special events held including weddings, meetings, receptions, dinners, fundraisers and more
5,709 school buses transported students to our campus 5,650 Southern Nevada teachers participated
in professional development workshops presented by Kennedy Center Teaching Artists
86,277 students and teachers participated
in classroom demonstration sessions presented by local, regional and national artists
370,673 students and their teachers attended performances 2 national tours launched: Kinky Boots (2014) and Motown—The Musical (2017)
2 national PBS broadcasts: From Dust to Dreams (2012)
and Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs (2016, Cabaret Jazz)
2 new shows produced: The Tempest (2014, Symphony Park) and Idaho! The Comedy Musical (2016)
STAGING THE NEXT ACT Opening night of The Smith Center on March 10, 2012 heralded an all-new era for the performing arts in Southern Nevada. Thanks to the incredible support of passionate community members like you, we exceeded all expectations for what our world-class performing arts center could achieve in its first five years. With our facility designed to serve Southern Nevada for hundreds of years, The Smith Center has initiated a variety of programs that engage our community’s arts lovers while also propelling our outreach and artistic efforts into the future. Building upon our foundation of success, The Smith Center is looking ahead to embark on new and impactful endeavors that CARRY ON THE PERFORMING ARTS IN OUR
COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME.
SUBSCRIBERS SECURE OUR FUTURE Subscribers to our Broadway Las Vegas® Series not only enjoy dazzling and powerful Broadway productions throughout the year, they also provide the lifeblood of The Smith Center. Every subscription purchase directly supports our ongoing operations. With subscribers committing their vital support to The Smith Center, we are thrilled to uphold our own promise to present the best of acclaimed, first-run Broadway productions like Hamilton, with many more incredible shows to come.
BROADWAY LAS VEGAS® SERIES SPONSORED BY
“I remember as a kid going to shows, and to me it felt that we would be a part of something special if we were season ticket holders. That to me exists on a very personal level—for my wife, daughter and I to be part of something special as subscribers.” —ANDY WALSH, five-year Subscriber
A NEW GENERATION OF ARTS LOVERS New generations of Southern Nevadans are cultivating a love for the arts at The Smith Center, from children discovering theater at our student matinees, to young professionals engaging in our networking and affinity group FANFARE! Not only do FANFARE! members play a key role with supporting The Smith Center’s operations, they also connect with like-minded arts enthusiasts— and enjoy exclusive experiences at special Smith Center events.
“FANFARE! is a unique opportunity to begin a lifelong relationship with the cultural heart of the Valley and to become a future leader of The Smith Center.” —ALISA NAVE-WORTH, FANFARE! Advisor
MEMBERS: DRIVING WHAT VEGAS WILL BECOME Members who give annually ensure the entire community benefits from The Smith Center, helping transform Las Vegas into the arts-rich city many have long envisioned. As ticket sales only cover 75 percent of The Smith Center’s operating costs, we rely on public support for the remaining 25 percent. Members’ fundamental contributions help power our inspiring arts-education programs, as well as the maintenance of our unrivaled facility. To keep pace with demand, we target to double our Membership in the coming year. Retention also remains a primary focus for future sustainability, following our success last year in significantly increasing Member retention.
“Having lived in the Las Vegas Valley since the ‘60s/’70s, we feel there has always been the need for a performing arts center. We are happy to have been involved with The Smith Center since the Capital Campaign, not just because we wanted a place to go but because our community deserves a facility to be proud of, to promote all types of arts and to teach future generations to treasure live performance.” —BOB AND ALISON KASNER, Chairman’s Club Members
The national William Randolph Hearst Foundation recognized the value of our Education and Outreach efforts with a $100,000 grant to sustain and expand these services. This marks the launch of our exploration into all-new revenue streams in the coming year, with a goal to raise $250,000 benefitting our overall operations and the surrounding community.
“I wanted our assets to go where we really wanted them to go. Planned Giving gives you peace of mind for the future.” —JUDY, Encore Society Member
THE ENCORE SOCIETY: MAKE YOUR MARK The Encore Society offers a meaningful opportunity for community members to create a legacy lasting beyond their lifetimes. This rapidly growing program celebrates all who support The Smith Center through Planned Giving—a donation involving more preparation than a cash gift. This can include a donation in a will or life insurance policy. Taking part in Planned Giving allows people to be a part of something greater:
HELPING ENSURE THE ARTS CONTINUE TO THRIVE in Southern Nevada for long into the future.
“We’re looking to provide our wealth and our legacy to something that’s going to outlast generations. It gives us the ability to make sure we know in the future, there’s still going to be the performing arts. We just want to make sure it has a chance to still thrive.” —ERIK NOVIKOFF, Encore Society Member
THE CAMPAIGN TO SUSTAIN THE SMITH CENTER: UPHOLDING THE FUTURE OF THE ARTS Generous community contributions transformed The Smith Center from a dream to a reality. The launch of our Campaign to Sustain The Smith Center seeks to ensure this dream never dies. We are deeply grateful to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation for creating our initial $50 million endowment. Targeting to grow this endowment to $100 million will not only sustain access to the performing arts for generations to come—it will also free us to focus our resources on expanding our community outreach and serving as an incubator for new artistic endeavors.
$50 MILLION, Targeting to grow our endowment by
solidifying our financial foundation
“There’s something transformational about a performing arts center. To have a place for us, locals, that can bring the entertainment that exists in places like Broadway and large cities here for people to take part of, its phenomenal. It’s something that will last for years and years, generations to come.”
—MICHAEL YACKIRA , The Campaign to Sustain The Smith Center Donor
TAKE CARE OF THIS HOUSE
These hallmark words still ring true today from Jennifer Hudson’s inspiring performance at our opening night celebration, and echoed by Broadway star Betsy Wolfe at our Fifth Anniversary Concert:
“TAKE CARE OF THIS HOUSE.” Thank you for upholding this message through your valuable support of The Smith Center. With your help, we look forward to keeping the Heart of the Arts beating in Southern Nevada.
COVER PHOTO: CHRISTINE DWYER AS SYLVIA LLEWELYN DAVIES. PHOTO BY CAROL ROSEGG.