EXPANDING INTO 2025-2026, BY CRAIG JOSEPH
We’re heading into autumn and things are busy here at Seat of the Pants as we onboard new ensemble members (for a total of 14), finalize contracts with our performance spaces, casts, and crews, update our website and social media platforms, and kick off our 2025-2026 Annual Fundraising Campaign.
Each year, I try to encapsulate our goals for the campaign in a single word or phrase, and this year I’ve chosen EXPANSION. Here are a few highlights of how your financial support will help us do just that.
MONDAY NIGHT, PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN PERFORMANCES: In order to expand our audience, each run of our MainStage shows this season will include a single Monday night performance. These Monday night offerings will not only allow artists involved in other weekend performances to attend our shows, but will also widen accessibility to audience members by offering a pay-what-you-can ticket option.
THE CARAVAN PROGRAM: Another initiative to expand accessibility is our Caravan Program, which we’ve beta-tested, but which becomes official this season. We’re always on the move, and we want our audience to travel with us. Here’s how it works: if you want to see a show, but need help getting to it, we'll pair you with a ride. And — if you're willing to bring someone — you can let us know and we’ll connect you with a co-pilot! We'll give each Caravan $10 for coffee, gas, or dessert, plus some conversation starters to fill your time together. More details at seatofthepants.org/programs.
OUR BIGGEST PRODUCTION TO DATE: Our second show of the season, Elephant’s Graveyard, will be the largest Seat of the Pants production to date, expanding to a cast of 15, with original music by Zach Palumbo, and a site-specific mounting at the Gordon Green Event Venue in the Gordon Square Arts District that will bring the magic of the circus and this historical tale to vibrant and immersive life!
A SALARIED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR POSITION: As some of you know, I left my full-time job at Cleveland Play House in last December, and am currently exploring with our ensemble the possibility of moving into the Artistic Director position at Seat of the Pants as my full-time job. That’s not going to happen this year, but we’re working to expand the salary for this position to eventually support me and whomever succeeds me. My $10,000 stipend has been covered by a grant from Cleveland Foundation and we’re looking to double that in this year’s budget. It’s already a 40 hours a week job, but we’re hoping to completely compensate that in the next 2-4 years for the company’s long-term health.
There’s much more to be shared, but that gives you a sense of where we’re headed. I’m so grateful for your past support of our efforts and, as you think about contributing this season, I'd humbly ask that you match or even expand your support beyond what you’ve given previously:
Or annual budget for the year is $126,000, and we’re aiming to raise as much of that as possible this fall, so if you’re able to be part of these efforts, you can donate a tax-deductible gift via:
Check to Seat of the Pants (5311 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44102)
Venmo: @SeatofthePants or CashApp: $SeatofthePants
Website: seatofthepants.org/donate (processed through PayPal)
Thanks, as always, for your support of Seat of the Pants and of theatre artists in Northeast Ohio.