Dear Friends of the HAT,
Last year, in the face of extinction, we did something Radical.
We became the first Professional Community-Funded Theatre in Canada.
Thanks to the monthly donations of hundreds of people from across North America, we were able to commit to a whole legion of community projects and 12 Mainstage Productions that were absolutely free.
Free for everyone. Radically Accessible.
We’ve been written about in the New York Times and the Globe and Mail, who named us one of their “Canadian Arts Heroes of 2020”. Other theatres in the country are now mirroring our model. We want to continue to lead the way.
The number one barrier to arts and especially theatre is socio-economic considerations. We want to continue to eliminate that barrier completely, not just for the marginalized sectors of our community, but for everyone.
We need your help.
We are asking you to commit to a monthly donation at whatever level you are comfortable with: $5 a month, $25 a month, $100… no donation is too small or too big.
As a Not-for-Profit Charitable Organization, we’ll be able to offer you:
1) A Tax-Deductible Receipt at the end of the year.
2) Advanced access to book tickets for all Mainstage Shows (starting with donors who pledge $50 or $25/month).
3) The knowledge that you have helped us make history and provide #RadicalAccess to our entire community.
As we reach our Radical Access: Year 2 Monthly Pledge Goals, we will commit to the following projects for our community:
***I just want to emphasize: These are not “perks” or advantages given to donors, these are community initiatives that your funding will allow us to provide for EVERYONE.
RADICAL ACCESS: YEAR 3 MONTHLY PLEDGE GOALS
TIER 1 - UNLOCKED!
If we receive total commitments of at least $10,000 in donations per month,
we pledge to provide…
A more formalized 2021/22 Playwrights Unit with Workshops and Public Readings for 3 new plays.
Continued free access to videos of past HAT productions on YouTube through the HAT Archival Collection
(click here to access now)
Six ASL interpreted performances over the course of the year
The return of the Rita Joe Canadian Playwriting Award: a $10,000 commission for a new play or musical by a Black or Indigenous theatre artist with the intent to produce in a future season.
TIER 2
If we receive total commitments of at least $20,000 in donations per month,
we pledge to provide…
Everything from Pledge Tier 1.
Free Access to a Web-Stream of each of our Mainstage Productions for anyone to watch at home, regardless of where in the world they are.
A new Site-Specific, Immersive Production “TomorrowLoveTM” by Rosamund Small, allowing audiences to roam through an entire environment as multiple scenes happen simultaneously.
An annual HAT Young Company program to provide full-time summer employment for 10 Nova Scotian post-secondary theatre students.
TIER 3
If we receive total commitments of at least $30,000 in donations per month,
we pledge to provide…
Everything from Pledge Tiers 1 & 2.
Free Radical Access to 5 Mainstage productions over the course of the year.
A $30,000 commitment to develop and tour new theatrical work, created by and featuring Mi’kmaq artists and performers.
50 HAT Academy Scholarships per year for theatre camps and courses for youth who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate, with priority going to Black, Indigenous, and Queer youth ages 6-18.
TIER 4
If we receive total commitments of at least $40,000 in donations per month,
we pledge to provide…
Everything from Pledge Tiers 1, 2, & 3.
Free Radical Access to 7 Mainstage Productions over the course of the year.
A new 8-Part Musical Comedy Radio Play: “Eight Tentacles of Apollo” by Ellen Johnston and Emily Chiu, to be released Free of Charge.
50 additional Scholarships per year for theatre courses through our HAT Academy for youth who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate.
TIER 5
If we receive total commitments of at least $50,000 in donations per month…
Free Radical Access to All Mainstage Productions over the course of the year.
We have had a miraculous, transformative year. And now the hard work begins. As our community begins opening up to full capacity, we want to show the world the full impact of Radical Access - the way we envisioned it and without the restrictions made necessary by the pandemic.
Your support will help us realize that goal.
On behalf of the HAT, all our Artists, Staff, Technicians, Volunteers, Members, Board of Directors, and me…
Thank you.
See you at the HAT!
Wesley J. Colford (they/them)
Artistic & Executive Director, Highland Arts Theatre