From Amanda Huotari, Executive Director
January 2008

Dear Supporter of Celebration Barn,

Happy 2008! We had a landmark year in 2007, with record-breaking numbers of artists and audiences coming through our doors. Now we're taking that momentum and enthusiasm into 2008 to ensure that the legacy of the Barn will continue for many years to come.

When I became Executive Director in November of 2006, there was a lot of work to do, and the top priority was clear: set the stage for a successful summer season. By June, we were ready, with a spectacular lineup of workshops and live performances. It was show time!

When the summer began, so did the magic. One of the first students to arrive walked in, smiled and said, "Wow, this place has the same creative spirit it had when I first came here 34 years ago!" On the feedback forms for that first workshop, Louis Colaianni's Linklater Voice Workshop, every student gave it the highest rating: 5 out of 5. We were off to a great start.

All summer, passionate individuals came to experience the Barn's
unique setting and creative community. After Randy Judkins's show in August, one audience member sent us a note with her donation: "My sister and I laughed and laughed until our faces cracked. Thanks for such a wonderful performance. It was the highlight of my two week visit to Maine."

A first time Eccentric Performing student commented, "I didn't
know what to expect, but this is exactly what I hoped for."

It was an amazing summer. All through the season, people kept coming up to me, excited about where the Barn is going and asking me how they could help. It was inspiring to see how deeply people care about the Barn and how committed they are to helping it grow.

It was through the generosity of people like you that we were able to begin investing in our future. As a result, we have seen tremendous growth:

• Workshop enrollment increased by 20%!
• Attendance at public shows more than doubled!
• We had a record number of sell-out performances!
• By hosting the Celebration Barn Theater Stage at the Oxford County Fair, we had the opportunity to be seen by 15,000 people.
• Our website got a new look, as we expanded its content.
• Celebration Barn went on the road with workshops and performances of Commedia dell'Arte with resident guest artist Fabrizio Paladin.
• We hosted an artists' gathering in New York City to bring Barn alumni and friends together.
• We garnered new local support by hosting events for the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, visiting with local service groups and participating in the Norway Summer Festival.

That's not all! Our stellar guest performers rocked the Barn stage! Here are just a few of the show highlights:

• The Flying Karamazov Brothers played the Barn before heading off on a tour of Italy and China.
• The Barn lawn got showered in Diet Coke when Eepybird.com's Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz launched a giant fountain for area business leaders.
• The spring production of The Exhausting Affairs of Love got rave reviews. Karen Montanaro said, "Tony would have stood up and cheered!"
• The Big Barn Show was an alumni spectacular featuring 13 of the Barn's most loved performers.
• Deborah Henson-Conant's musical performance left audiences screaming for more (Yes, she is coming back!).

What does all of this good news mean? It means we have work to do.

Yes, we've had an amazing year, but we need to build a strong foundation for the future. We need to make sure that the creative presence of the Barn continues to grow next year and for many years to come.

This season of successes has inspired the Board of Directors to begin drawing up some ambitious goals for this coming year, as well as a strategic plan for the next 5 years. Our plans will build upon the amazing accomplishments of this past year.

Our goals to launch us into an even more spectacular 2008 are:

• To create a year-round rehearsal space, by renovating the upstairs studios with air conditioning, insulation, and heating.
• To bring more of our local community to the Barn, by offering a series of classes for youths and adults.
• To increase workshop revenue, by attracting new students and expanding the workshop season.
• To expand our nationwide visibility, by having a regular presence at select conferences and theater festivals.
• To strengthen connections among Barn alumni and friends by hosting regional gatherings.
• To develop an internship program with hands-on learning opportunities.

What can you do to help?

More than ever before, your generosity now will have a huge impact on the future of Celebration Barn Theater.

Here's what you can do:

1. Send your donation today. Celebration Barn thrives on the passion of individuals like you. Your financial support will help ensure that the Barn continues to be a creative home, growing in artistic resources, with an ever-expanding network of artists.

2. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your colleagues, students, audiences, everyone you know about Celebration Barn Theater. Most new students hear about the Barn from former students. If you know someone who should be on our mailing list or email list, let us know. You can always refer folks to www.CelebrationBarn.com.

3. Come to the Barn! See a show! Take a workshop! Volunteer! Be a part of this community!

We're already working hard to make 2008 one of our best years ever. We're thrilled to announce that Keith Johnstone will return for a week of improvisation, and Obie Award winner Laurie Carlos and internationally renowned puppeteer Theodora Skipitares will be at the Barn for the first time. And that's just the beginning!

Your donations will help make all this possible.

Your financial gift to Celebration Barn Theater is a commitment to:

Empower individuals to be artists.
Build community through the magic of live theater.
Ensure that the legacy of Celebration Barn will continue for many years to come.

Without donors like YOU, none of this would be possible. So please be as generous as you can. By sending your donation today, you will make a difference in the future of Celebration Barn.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,


Amanda Huotari
Executive Director

P.S. Your gift is tax-deductible. Celebration Barn Theater is a 501(c)(3) organization, and 100% of your donation will go towards our programming.

P.P.S. Don't forget to check out www.CelebrationBarn.com for the 2008 workshop schedule and all the latest news.


Click here to download a donation form.

This form is an Adobe PDF file (112k).
Don't have Adobe Reader?
For a free download, click on:


Please send your donations to:
Celebration Barn Theater
190 Stock Farm Road
South Paris, ME 04281

Thank you!