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OUR HISTORY FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

Founded in 1978, Stages makes plays Dear friends of Stages,
and tells stories that invite everyone to
live more deeply and love more boldly. Well, here we are. It’s been over six months since we
opened Stages’ new home, The Gordy, that we had
the opportunity to celebrate for just seven short weeks
The common link throughout our work is a focus before the shutdown. This moment in time is evidently
on sharing compelling human stories in intimate dramatically different than we expected it to be.
performance spaces that allow audiences to connect And the reality of not being able to fully experience this
with both the art on stage and the people who help transformational new venue has, yes, been traumatic.
create it. That said, I am continuously inspired by Stages’
community of artists and audiences, and the shared
commitment to making plays and telling stories,
Stages has grown to become Houston’s sixth largest
nonprofit performing arts producer overall, and the even when the way we traditionally do this work is
largest outside of Houston’s downtown theater district. not possible.
Stages is one of the region’s leading artistic employers, producing an average of 12 productions per From the reading of Vincent Terrell Durham’s Polar Bears, Black Boys and Prairie Fringed Orchids as
year totaling more than 430 performances and welcoming 75,000+ visitors each season. In January part of the national Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project, to the launch of Pieces of the Moon as a radio
2020, Stages opened The Gordy, a new $35.4 million three-theater venue that will transform how play, to today’s streaming of a Zoom-captured Sensitive Guys, Stages artists and staff have been at
Houston artists and audiences experience theater. work finding new ways to make connection in this moment of social distancing.

Almost all of Stages’ shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by Yes, it’s true, we cannot wait to be with you again at The Gordy once it’s safe and responsible for us to
an exceptional community of locally-based artists and crafts people along with occasional guest do so. But, today, that’s not possible. We are leaning in and focusing on storytelling in new mediums
directors, actors and designers from around the world. For more than a decade Stages has made that allow us to continue forward in relationship until the moment we can again sit together in the dark
a strong investment in nurturing emerging artists and administrators who have now become field to learn how to love each other in the light.
leaders and working professionals in companies around the country.
We have made the decision to present this dynamic programming to our community at no cost to
Stages’ learning opportunities include our student matinee series, performance and production hopefully inspire at a time when that is so important in our lives. If you are able, we invite you to
internship programs for college students and a conservatory each summer for middle and high school support Stages with a philanthropic contribution. This is the only investment we have at the moment
students. Through our community engagement initiatives, during the 2019-2020 Season nearly 20% to fuel our work forward. Donations can be made online at www.stageshouston.com.
of Stages audiences experienced our work free of charge through programs like free performances We’re grateful to be in community with you.
at Miller Outdoor Theatre and Sin Muros: A Latinx Theater Festival, a celebration of Latinx voices and
stories reflecting Texas’s diverse communities. Sincerely,

Stages began life in the historic Magnolia Ballroom building in downtown Houston, led by Founding
Artistic Director Ted Swindley and building on the passion and commitment of a talented group of
artists. In 1985, Stages moved to a two theater facility in the historic Star Engraving Building on Allen
Parkway, and became Houston’s second Equity theatre in 1988.
Mark D.A Folkes
Managing Director
Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin joined the company in 2001, serving as Managing Director for five
years before becoming the theater’s longest-tenured artistic leader. Current Managing Director Mark
Folkes arrived in 2015, positioning Stages for a new era of transformational growth.