HERBERGERS: Because of last year’s quality production and the promise of this year’s quality production, the District is engaging the Herbergers in being underwriters for this next musical. WHY? Having the Herbergers being involved and seeing a quality production will open the door for big requests later. WHAT? Since MCC is responsible for getting this started, we may be first in line, and that could mean selling naming rights to the Herbergers for our new PAC. (See exhibit number one and one “a.”.)

PUBLICITY: Last year in the newspapers, we had three reviews, three feature articles, and eleven small stories/pictures and captions talking about the musical AND our literacy-outreach services at Mesa Community College. Having this amount of publicity about our community services again will be priceless before November. (See exhibit number two.)

MCLI: The District has seen the benefit of a District musical to benefit students. As a result, MCLI is giving us $7,500 this year and possibly looking to take the whole project over next year. (See exhibit number three.)

DISTRICT COOPERATION: What Dr. Glasper likes about this project is that it has the potential to foster cooperation among the colleges. An example of cooperation is that SMCC is not only letting us build our set there for free, but Ken Roberts is also paying $2,000 out of their budget to have one of their faculty members oversee the building.

STUDENTS: This project benefits students in ways that our productions on campus do not. That is why this project is receiving $5,000 from Fund II. (See exhibit number four.)

TWO-YEAR TECHNICAL DEGREE AT MCC: MCC and Phoenix Theatre are in discussions about a two-year technical theatre degree. Having a professional venue for our students to intern at and having the expertise of some of the best professional theatre people advising us on curriculum is invaluable. The project last year helped to create this and continuing this project will foster this process.

OUTSIDE FUNDING: Our musical at Phoenix Theatre was the ONLY public school program receiving funding from the Phoenix Art Commission. On May 25, our application for the Arizona Art Commission will be reviewed. Getting outside funding allows us to produce more quality productions.

LITERACY CORPS FUNDING: The musical production produces our “audience” for our silent auction, which raises money for Literacy Corps.

VIP RECEPTION: Our reception, which has been designed for legislators and key people in the District, will now be used by the Foundation for fundraising. Steve Schenk has plans to invite some of the big donors to the District to come to the musical and reception.