2017/2018 REPO RT TO THE COMMUNIT Y
A HISTORIC SEASON
THIS PAST YEAR WE MADE HISTORY
here at The Smith Center – both on and off our stages.
I’m sure you’re well aware that history came alive in our Reynolds Hall this spring, when The Smith Center presented the Broadway musical phenomenon, “Hamilton.” This was further testament to the fact that Southern Nevada has become an important stop for Broadway tours. WE ALSO REACHED OUR HIGHEST SUBSCRIPTION LEVEL EVER IN THE 2017/18 SEASON, WITH OVER 13,500 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. This spring, The Smith Center presented its first-ever sensory-friendly performances, providing a supportive theater environment designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities and other specific sensory needs. The Smith Center even helped protect Nevada consumers by leading a campaign for a new state law enacted in 2017 that penalizes unethical ticket brokering practices. I’m saddened to add that this year also saw the LOSS OF OUR NAMESAKE, FRED W. SMITH. The Smith Center was named for Fred and his late wife, Mary. Smith was not only the chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation whose support made the opening of The Smith Center possible, but also a friend and mentor to me. His legacy will live on as The Smith Center continues to make history in the coming year and beyond. THIS PAST YEAR ALSO MARKED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THE SMITH CENTER YET, IN PART DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONORS. Without them, we couldn’t keep our ticket prices accessible or provide our many education and outreach programs. We express our deepest thanks to the generous support of sponsors like Nevada State Bank, Ford and community members like you. Your support is helping us make history.
MYRON G. MARTIN President and CEO
Hamilton Chicago Company. Š Joan Marcus
WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES
Meghan Picerno (“Christine Daaé”) stars in Love Never Dies. © Joan Marcus
Performances at The Smith Center:
317,481
tickets sold to patrons over the past year Pilobolus. On The Nature Of Things. © Robert Whitman
The Smith Center presents the very best of music, theater and dance to Southern Nevada audiences. Marking the highest number of subscribers in Smith Center history, this past year included many of our most acclaimed and highly anticipated shows yet, including the first-run tour of Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton,” country superstar Wynonna Judd, world-renowned taiko group TAO and groundbreaking dance company Pilobolus. NPR even recorded its acclaimed national program “From the Top” live at The Smith Center, marking the first time this popular program has ever broadcasted in Las Vegas.
NPR’s From The Top
WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES
13,524
subscribers to the 2017-2018 Broadway Las Vegas season, the highest number in our history
Cast of the Something Rotten! National Tour. © Jeremy Daniel
In 2017, the Board of Directors honored President and CEO Myron Martin with the naming rights for Myron’s Cabaret Jazz for his contributions to The Smith Center
Š Jerry Metellus
EDUCATION Education is in our DNA at The Smith Center, and this past year we provided impactful arts education experiences for over 129,000 students and teachers across Southern Nevada, AT PREDOMINANTLY NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. The Smith Center provides much of our valuable outreach through partnerships with prestigious organizations of national scope, including Disney Theatrical Group, the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Camp Broadway and the Kennedy Center.
Disney Musicals in Schools: As a regional partner with Disney Theatrical Group, The Smith Center’s teaching artists help elementary schools across Southern Nevada create sustainable theater programs. Southern Nevada Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts: This Smith Center program, an affiliate of the internationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, places professional teaching artists in classroom residences, to train early childhood educators on using arts-based teaching methods. Student Matinees: The Smith Center presents matinees in our theaters for students from across Southern Nevada, each show featuring performances by local, regional, national and international artists. Professional Teacher Development: Through our partnership with the Kennedy Center and the Clark County School District, The Smith Center provides professional development for teachers to integrate the arts across all curriculum areas. Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards: The Smith Center created and hosts this annual statewide competition for high school musical theater performers. Two winners are selected to participate in the national high school musical theater awards in New York City, the Jimmy Awards. Camp Broadway: The Smith Center’s annual summer theater camp engages kids ages 6 to 17 in performance skills like singing, dancing and acting. The Heart of Education Awards: Powered by The Rogers Foundation, The Smith Center created this annual awards program to recognize outstanding educators in Clark County School District. Each year, hundreds of finalists are honored at a red-carpet event where 20 educators are named winners, each receiving a $5,000 cash prize and $1,000 donation to their school.
students and teachers experienced in-school performances presented by local and visiting artists through The Smith Center’s leadership in the Southern Nevada Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child initiative
48,104
3,450
teachers were nominated by the community for the 2018 Heart of Education Awards, the highest number to date
Southern Nevada educators participated in professional development sessions
“(Winning this award) gives affirmation to my students that if you just work hard and you do the right thing and you give back, that people do notice.” – LUANNE WAGNER, a 2018 Heart of Education Award winner
theater-loving kids attended Camp Broadway
285
57
6
students and teachers across schools participated in the Disney Musicals in Schools program during the school year
80,027
students and their teachers attended matinee performances presented by The Smith Center and resident companies Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.
EDUCATION
24
14
students from schools participated in the Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards, a record high number of schools
“Introducing kids to live theater transcends into life skills. It encourages them to do well academically, gives them a purpose.” – CHARLES MICHEL, teacher at Mendoza Elementary, attendee of “Cuentos” student matinee
"This was the first play my 14-year-old autistic son has ever been to. He LOVED it. I'm thrilled he was given this opportunity." – JULI R., Parent
The Smith Center presented its first-ever sensory-friendly performance in Spring 2018, inviting new audiences to enjoy the arts.
EDUCATION
195
educators across the valley participated in Southern Nevada Wolf Trap Early Learning through the Arts residencies
“The teacher was timid and uncertain about rhythm at the beginning of the residency, now she has confidence and is stimulated when it comes to [using] rhythm and steady beat [with her students].” – MS. L.A., Southern Nevada Wolf Trap teaching artist
The Smith Center was inducted into
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
2018 Excellence in Education Hall of Fame
The Smith Center organized special arts experiences for community students that integrated the principles of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math). These included STEAM artist residencies with students from C.P. Squires Elementary School, and Cashman and K.O. Knudsen Middle Schools.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
220
13,676
volunteers gave a combined hours of their time over the past year
“Volunteering at The Smith Center’s education events warms your heart. You go home feeling you’ve actually done something worthwhile.” – CLAUDIA NEWBURY, volunteer at The Smith Center
As a focal point of Las Vegas, The Smith Center is woven into the fabric of the Southern Nevada community. Our campus brings people from all walks of life together to make lasting memories, whether as volunteers with our organization or to experience special events such as weddings, fundraisers, commencement ceremonies and more.
The Smith Center staff and volunteers salute Clark County School District’s Week of Respect
Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a new state law penalizing unethical ticket brokering, helping protect Nevadans against ticket scalpers at venues statewide. The Smith Center led widespread support of creating this law.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
© Adam Frazier photography
couples said “I do” at The Smith Center over the past year
5
Southern Nevada agencies, organizations and news outlets honored The Smith Center with awards recognizing its widespread community impact. These include an Angel Award from Vegas Inc, a Business Excellence Award from the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, an Innovation Award from the Las Vegas Business Press, an Athena International Leadership Award from the Nevada Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and The Smith Center being inducted into Clark County School District’s 2018 Excellence in Education Hall of Fame.
CCSD Kick-off Event
24,015
83
guests have attended private and special events at The Smith Center, including weddings, award ceremonies, meetings, receptions, dinners, fundraisers and more
OUR DONORS ENJOYED A FULL YEAR,
with The Smith Center organizing numerous special events for our generous contributors. These included exclusive “Hamilton� dinners that paired premier seats with an elegant pre-show meal and presentation by a historian. We also coordinated a special donor trip to New York City to see Broadway shows and meet the casts and creative teams. We also organized educational events for those who contributed planned gifts, and threw a Season Kick-Off for members of Fanfare!, our affinity group for emerging leaders advocating for the arts. Hamilton Dinners
Cast Meet-and-Greet
Fanfare! behind-the-scenes tour
Planned Giving Educational Panel
Donor New York Trip
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
New grant support also allowed The Smith Center to expand community outreach, including organizing special arts events for military families, and partnering with Las Vegas Metro Police to provide families in high-needs neighborhoods with tickets to family productions.
2,884
donors demonstrated their belief in our mission through their generosity over the past year, contributing a combined $5,352,945 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. 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 Madeleine and Don Andress
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
Janice and Fred Allen and Gary L. Haupt Tony Hsieh Diane and Robert Bigelow 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 J. Randall and Kathleen Jones AS OF 6/30/18
Tina and Harold Lewis / Lewis Family Foundation Sue and Paul Lowden and Family The 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 Dr. and Mrs. Leon H. Steinberg E. L. Wiegand Foundation Buck and Aurora Wong
MEMBERS PLATINUM
Janice Allen Bank of America Charitable Foundation Michael F. Bolognini Ande and Glenn Christenson Paula Degner Richard Ditton and Deborah DeLanoy Christina and Alan Feldman Matthew Frazier Betsy Fretwell Randy and Staci Garcia Richard M. Haddrill Nancy and Kell Houssels Lark McCarthy and Michael Thomas, M.D. Dr. Louis F. Mortillaro, Ph.D. Jerry Nadal John Nelson and Milo Miloscia Wendy and Richard Plaster Rory and Cindy Reid Benson and Lee Riseman Ritholz-Jarvis 1990 Trust Tony and Christine Rose Don and Dee Snyder and Family Roger Thomas and Arthur Libera Towbin Automotive Mark and Sandra Tratos Greenberg Traurig United Way of Southern Nevada - Women’s Leadership Council Renee and Michael Yackira
Chuck, Jon and Megan Halsey Daniel Hamilton and Mary-Ann Winkelmes Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt-Merel Heather and Brian Harris Morris A. Hazan Family Foundation Barbara and Greg Heinrich Betty and Irwin Helford Elaine A. and Lawrence J. Hodgson Deborah Jacob and Dow Timmen John Krakauer Charitable Trust advised by Professionals in Philanthropy Bob and Alison Kasner Shirley Keenan Chris and Marianne Lane In Memory of Richard Larsen Bonnie Lemert Todd-Avery Lenahan Robert E. Lewis Real Estate Corporation Scott Y. MacTaggart, Esq. Dr. Mark and Amy McKenzie Mike and Maureen Mekjian Rabbi Yocheved Mintz Nevada Arts Council Marsha Newman and Stan Pollack Angela and Paul Otto David Redfearn and Carol Reinhardt The Robinson and Frankoff Families Miriam Shearing Michael Silberling Les J. Silver and Andrea Rothschild-Silver Deborah Smith Magness Steinberg Family Foundation The Stewarts - Todd, Carol, Joseph and Jillian Daisy John and Carol Taylor Francisco ‘TJ’ Tejeda F. Craig Wilson - TRAX International Corporation George S. Tu and Amy Kao Tim and Shari Wong
Fox Family Foundation Marlene and Ivan Friedmutter Lana and Victor Fuchs Mary and Tom Gallagher David Gebhart John David Harrington 2000 Living Trust Fred and Kris Hipwell Joyce Carol Kessler Michael and Jo Ann Knapp Dr. Nancy and Sheldon Laube Thomas and Judy Leahy Doris and Ted Lee Dr. John and Carole Lepore Paul and Sherry Loewe Judy MacGilvary-Glispie and Benford Glispie Gary L. McCreary and Damon M. Lang Greg and Karen McKinley Dr. Robert and Dr. Lori Merrell Millan Family Fund Sue Moreland and Michael Gardner Joan Morris Joe and Helen Nutting David and Carol Paderski Josh, Jaime and Nora Rexing The Roesener Family Fund Roxy and Alise Roxborough The Salvucci Family Trust Charles Sapp and Saundra Vance Linda Schimberg Jeanette Schneider Jared and Claire Shafer Pat and Joy Shalmy Smart Software Solutions Southern Nevada Cybersecurity Alliance Ellen Whittemore and Jeff Patterson Family Margie and Steve Wilkinson Art and C.J. Woolston Robb, Alisa and Sydney Worth Dr. Randall and Jennifer Yee
$5,000+
$2,500+
Ameriprise Financial Services Eileen and Allen Anes Helen B. Arnold Lovee and Bob Arum Gloria, George, Dana, and BJ Balaban Selma Bartlett Bruce F. Becker Anderson Miller Pinkelman - Morgan Stanley Catherine and Craig Bitterman Keith G. Boman, M.D. Heidi and Lawrence Canarelli and Family Gary and Cindy Ellis Rhonda C. Evans Friedman Charitable Foundation Jane and Jeff Gale and Family Myra and Brian Greenspun Robin and Danny Greenspun J. Stuart Haldan Fund held at Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation
Dr. Sherif and Nahed Abdou Curtis and Laurie Alexander Sue and Curt Anderson Daniel and Ginger Anderson Sharyn and David Applebaum Perry and Gae Basch The Beef Jerky Store BNY Mellon Jeff and Stacy Burr Vincent and Anne Capizzi Vicki Carnes Don Carrier and Rene de Guzman Denise and Tim Cashman Krista and Rick Darnold The Hon. Kathleen E. Delaney Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation John and Marie Ellerton Everi Susan Greenspun Fine and Max Spilka
Jeff Adler L. Eddie Ball Donna Balon Mary Beckman and Debra Davis Leah E. Cashman Marcia and George Chami Bryan J. Cohen Curtis 1000 Christy Cutting Diamondback Land Surveying LLC William and Gloria Filbert Gloria and Mark Fine Deanna Forbush Galatz Family Trust Martin Gold The Honorable Mayors Carolyn and Oscar B. Goodman Patricia and Andrew Gotelli William and Stephanie Graham
The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation Windsong Trust Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation
GOLD
Dr. Tyree and Mary Carr Peter and Angela Dal Pezzo Carolyn Hanna
SILVER
BRONZE
AS OF 6/30/18
Paul Grasewicz Mark and Marianne Haley Victoria Higgins Carol Hovenden and Connie Hill Carol Hunter Pam Ivey Drs. Craig and Alexis Iwamoto Kynesha Jackson Drs. Brian and Cindy Kawasaki Buffie and Tom Kerestesi Ronald Koe Anne and Phil Kohn Patricia E. Kujawa Ellis and Yvette Landau John and Linda Leach David H. and Doreen B. Lee Barry and Betty Marrus Edward and Gail Miller Brian and May Murphy Joseph and Jessie Louise Murphy Zach and Tanya Murray, Rosenbluth Family Foundation Anthony and Amy Ng Margo Provost and Ed Marshall Mark and Sara Ricciardi and Family Barbara Robinson, J.D. and Andres Costas, M.D. The Ian and Irmalee Ross Family Rikki Tanenbaum Barbara Tapp Transamerica Audio Group, Inc. Michael Trigg Alison Trujillo Julie Von Tobel Gleason and Regina Burt Von Tobel Sharon Von Tobel Schmitt Carol Bontrager Wagers Sharon and Wydell Williams Elizabeth Woolard-Jones The Richard S. Worthington Family
$1,000+
Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf Alex Painting, Inc. Suzanne and Darren Altreche Renie Alverson Venetta Appleyard Clyde Atkisson and Max Gray Leigh and Phil Aurbach Carol Benchley Shelley Berkley Linda and Bruce Berry Tony and Linda Bonnici Andrea Bricca and Laura Schmitt Patricia and Robert Brinton The Bujack Family Christopher D. Burk Margaret M. Carnell Annette and Larry Carter Frank Casullo Charles N. Center Dwayne and Carol Chesnut Scott Clish AS OF 6/30/18
Lauri Collins Susie Costa Yvette DeZalia and Carlos R. Espinoza Mary and Jeff Ehret Jamie Evans Christine Faber Lewis Fanger Jan Fisher and Linda Johnson Deborah E. Franklin Travis and Carrie Foley Bill and Nancy Fullerton Scott and Sandy Ginger George and Nancy Gingerelli Herb and Joan Goldman Paul Gordon Hilarie Grey Christopher and Kristina Hamner Dolores Hauck John and Sheila Hicinbothem Wayne and Kathleen Hillock Margueritte Hunter Alfred A. Michael and Iris I. Johnson Kally Johnson Adam and Lily Kahn Tom and Liz Kaplan David and Mary Jane Kates Kaethe Kauffman Shana and Robert Kim John Klai and Jon Sparer Peter and Marilee Kovacs Bette LaCombe Mary Laub Elizabeth A. Letzler Robert and Melody Lind Edward and Tracy Maas James and Priscilla McCarty K. John McNellis and Paul D. Conrad Wendy and Raul Meoz Kenneth E. and Betty J. Miller Charles Moore LeAnne and John Notabartolo Kathleen Nylen Joan and Steven Palmer MD Bob and Carole Papper Steve and Susan Philpott Bob Potter with Affordable Concepts Jon Ralston Darline Reeder Kenneth and Mary Rowley Ronald Sage The Laird Noble Sanders Family Sanders-Krick Family Foundation, a Donor Advised Fund of the U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Wayne and Jo Schlekewy Brian Schumacher Dorothy Shepherd James Sikora Hal and Sharon Silverberg Joel Silverman Clifford Silverstein and Carolyn Kleih Bob and Sandy Smith
Terry and Diana Smith Sheila and Marvin Strusser Gregory and Cynthia Taylor Dr. Michael and Jennifer Tenby Dr. Robert and Peggy Thalgott Helen Thayer Lauri Thompson, Allen Bracken, Nik, Alex Dennis and Diane Tilton Lich Tran and Linh Nguyen Caryn and Robert Tyre Randi J. Vazquez Ronald and Maryellen Wallace Barbara and Fred Wasserspring Arnold Wax and Susan Nye Stanley and Adele Weiner Wayne and Beth Weiten George and Maureen White Lois Widell Joe Winchell and Patricia Masciana John Wohlwend, MD and Candice Tung, MD Ruth and Mel Wolzinger Judie Woods Loretta Zahn Sandra Zobrist
ENCORE SOCIETY DONORS
Brian Abbott Curtis and Laurie Alexander Madeleine and Don Andress Eileen and Allen Anes Charles L. Atwood Carol Benchley Allison Bonanno Mary C. Cashman Harriet Cox Leonard and Linda Eckhaus Susan Eifert Norman M. Forrester and William R. Griffin Jonathan and Kari Halkyard Tim Hanlon and Anthony Merel Carolyn Hanna Mary Beth Hartleb 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 David Redfearn and Carol Reinhardt Don and Dee Snyder and Family Tony Stephens, M.D. Steven and Sharon Strasser Ruth and Andy Urban and Family Margie and Steve Wilkinson Robert and Sharon Wiviott
THE HEART OF OUR TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pictured left to right: Benson Riseman, Michael Bolognini, Todd-Avery Lenahan, Vice Chairman Dr. Keith Boman, Roger Thomas, Rory Reid, Nancy Houssels, Richard Plaster, Matthew Frazier, Secretary Mark Tratos, Chairman Donald D. Snyder, Craig Miller, John Nelson, Scott MacTaggart, Member at Large Alan Feldman, Treasurer Michael Yackira, Betsy Fretwell, Myron Martin, Randy Garcia, Jerry Nadal, Tony Rose. Not pictured: Lark McCarthy, Richard Haddrill
PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL Gary Ackerman Curtis Alexander Janice Allen Denise Cashman Krista Darnold
Deborah Jacob Marianne Lane Mark Lerner Alisa Nave-Worth Angela Otto Elaine Sanchez
Jeanette Schneider Seth Schorr Michael Silberling Carolyn Sparks 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 6/30/18
LOOKING AHEAD
Sambalatte contract signing
GROWING OUR FOOTPRINT The Smith Center is excited to stand at the precipice of new growth, both on our campus and in our downtown community. Our guests will soon enjoy new amenities at our facility, including a Sambalatte cafĂŠ on campus. The City of Las Vegas also plans to construct two new parking garages beside The Smith Center to support the ongoing development of the downtown area. And with Project Neon slated for completion in the summer of 2019, visitors will enjoy improved access to our facility. We also hope to soon welcome a new neighbor on the Symphony Park property, with ongoing steps to open an art museum adjacent to The Smith Center.
SAFEGUARDING OUR GUESTS The Smith Center has always maintained careful consideration for the best interests of our guests, and we continue to adapt our policies to ensure the best possible experience. This includes applying valuable feedback from patrons to evolve our security measures. Guests may have taken notice at recent performances of Pearl the security dog or the magnetometers at our entrances, and we have even taken special precautions that remain invisible to the eye. Please know we work to constantly evaluate and improve all of our policies.
Ballet Folklórico de México
A BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMMING The Smith Center continues to explore the top artists and productions to captivate all ages and audiences, and our upcoming programming offers something for everyone. We are delighted to bring the world-renowned “National Geographic Live” speaker series to Southern Nevada for the very first time, and international performers such as Mexican dance company Ballet Folklórico, Japanese taiko group Kodo and Israeli percussion dance troupe Mayumana will share their cultures from around the globe. On top of this, The Smith Center will present its very first sensory-friendly performance of a Broadway musical, Disney's “The Lion King.”
LOOKING AHEAD THE CAMPAIGN TO SUSTAIN THE SMITH CENTER The Smith Center opened on time and on budget in 2012, thanks to the generosity of our 57 Founders who came to the table and contributed in the midst of a significant economic downturn. Because The Smith Center was built during this time of economic hardship, not all community members were able to take part and offer their support. For those who couldn’t participate before, you now have an opportunity with the Campaign to Sustain The Smith Center to contribute to your community’s performing arts center and receive permanent recognition in the building. Targeted to double our endowment to $100 million, this campaign will ensure the future of The Smith Center for generations to come.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT As ticket sales only cover 75 percent of The Smith Center’s operating costs, we rely on public support for the remaining 25 percent — and contributions at every level make a difference. Smith Center 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. We are also creating new sponsorship opportunities in the coming year to engage a wide range of businesses. And given the popular support of our special “Hamilton” donor dinners, we look forward to offering more special donor events that incorporate highly acclaimed performances.
THE SMITH CENTER IS KNOWN AS SOUTHERN NEVADA’S HEART OF THE ARTS - AND THIS HEART STARTED BEATING WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF FRED W. SMITH AND THE DONALD W. REYNOLDS FOUNDATION.
IN MEMORIAM – FRED W. SMITH This April marked the passing of our beloved namesake, Fred W. Smith. Under Smith’s respected leadership as the longtime chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the foundation contributed its largest single grant to help establish The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. This is among the largest performing arts gifts in U.S. history. The center is named for both Fred W. Smith and his wife Mary B. Smith of 49 years. Myron Martin, CEO and president of The Smith Center, still recalls a favorite story about Smith. While The Smith Center was still in its planning stages, the pair visited performing arts centers in the region to help Smith envision the goals for the project. When Smith saw school busses and children streaming into a center in Southern California, he turned to Martin and declared, “I get it. (The Smith Center) isn’t just about the architecture. It’s not just about the arts. This is about the kids. You’re making Nevada a better place to live by helping our kids.” The Smith Center was far from Smith’s only impact. For 25 years, Smith led the Reynolds Foundation to contribute over $1.85 billion to programs, institutions and nonprofits where his businesses operated. As a philanthropist, media executive and Las Vegas resident, Smith remained a leader and active member of the Las Vegas community throughout his life, by serving on the boards of numerous charitable and civic organizations. During his 43-year career with the Donrey Media Group, Smith served as the general manager of the Las Vegas Review-Journal for several years. Smith leaves a lasting legacy for his role in transforming culture, education and quality of life in Southern Nevada.
SEASON SPONSORS