- 2023-10-08
Virtual Gala53! | Annual Fundraising Benefit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 2020
MARIN THEATRE COMPANY
2020 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BENEFIT
SILENT, LIVE, WINE AUCTIONS WILL PROCEED AS ONLINE EVENTS
MILL VALLEY, CA—Each year Marin Theatre Company (MTC) depends on the annual fundraising gala to celebrate accomplishments and raise critical funds for MTC’s artistic and educational programs. It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of our in-person event originally scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, 2020 at the Mill Valley Community Center. The decision to cancel follows a shelter-in-place order from Marin County, effective through Tuesday, April 7th, to address rising health concerns about the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and an obligation to our community to keep everyone’s safety and health in mind as a top priority.
In its place, MTC will hold VIRTUAL GALA53!, an entirely digital silent, live and wine auction. Guests can now preview auction items online and register for online bidding. Bidding will open on Friday, April 3rd at 5:00pm and will continue throughout the weekend. All auction bidding will close at 7:00pm on Monday, April 6th. During this time, guests will also be encouraged to contribute directly to MTC’s fund-a-need campaign, funding artistic and educational programs.
Like other non-profit arts organizations, Marin Theatre Company will need the support of its patrons and the entire Marin community to survive the current shut down and emerge as the high quality, challenging theatre we know. The auction will feature live and silent items including: gift certificates at the best Marin County eateries, private wine tastings, one of a kind travel packages, including a one-week stay at the exclusive Esperanza, Auberge Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and more. Guests may also participate online in a carefully curated wine auction featuring unique bottles and rare vintages.
Traditionally a sold-out event, MTC’s annual benefit attracts more than 225 prominent community members, corporate professionals, and philanthropic leaders from throughout the Bay Area, and raises critical funds to benefit MTC’s new play and education programs.
A full list of MTC’s gala committee members can be found below.
More About MTC’s New Play Program
Marin Theatre Company is committed to exploring and developing new work for the American theatre, supporting playwrights with their creative process from conception to production and engaging audiences with new plays that tell stories important to our time. Through multiple programs, MTC seeks out writers and champions projects for continued life on the MTC stage and beyond. Through our commissioning program, new play prizes, new play series of staged readings, playwright residencies and a commitment to world premiere and second productions, MTC champions the future of American theatre for more than 30,000 patrons annually.
More about MTC’s Education Programs
Marin Theatre Company’s education programs reach nearly 3,000 students each year through in-school teaching residencies, student matinee performances, classes and workshops for youth, adults and families, and summer camps. Through the Artist in Residence program MTC provides both MLK Jr. Academy in Marin City and Davidson Middle School in San Rafael with theatre education uniquely coordinated with curriculum and the needs of the schools. At MLK Jr. Academy, MTC’s Artist in Residence program is the only arts education provided to students.
VIRTUAL GALA53! INFORMATION
5pm, Fri., April 3, 2020 - online bidding opens
7pm, Mon., April 6, 2020 - online bidding closes
https://www.marintheatre.org/donate/special-events/gala2020
GALA53! COMMITTEE
Wine Auction Chairs:
Buffington Miller
Fred Taylor
Committee Members:
Cheryl Brandon
Diana Gay-Catania
Susan Holdstein
Vera Meislin
Connie Oclassen
Kathryn Olson
Stacy Scott
Kathleen Taylor
ABOUT MTC
Marin Theatre Company is the Bay Area’s premier mid-sized theatre and the leading professional theatre in the North Bay. We produce a six-show season focused on new American plays. We are committed to the development and production of new plays, with a comprehensive New Play Program that includes productions of world premieres, two nationally recognized annual playwriting awards and readings and workshops by the nation’s best emerging and established playwrights. Our numerous education programs serve nearly 3,000 students from over 15 Bay Area schools each year. MTC strives to create intimate, powerful and emotional experiences that engage audiences to discuss new ideas and adopt a broader point of view. We believe in taking risks and inspiring people to participate in live theatre, regardless of personal means. MTC celebrates the intellectual curiosity of our community, and we believe that theatre is an important tool to help build empathy. MTC was founded in 1966 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
PRESS CONTACT
Kate Robinson, Director of Ticketing and Communications Associate
(415) 322-6029 | kater@marintheatre.org