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DonateCasting a Sustainable Future
In celebration of our 65th Anniversary Season, Great Lakes Theater (GLT) is launching a transformative campaign to secure our long-term sustainability and artistic vitality. The $4M campaign supports three strategic priorities: a long-term artist housing solution, essential production infrastructure improvements and endowment growth. Together, these initiatives will preserve GLT's legacy of innovation and excellence while enabling us to meet the demands of a new era in the American theater.
At the heart of our campaign is a bold initiative: the creation of a long-term artist housing solution in partnership with Playhouse Square. This investment will address one of GLT’s largest and fastest-growing expenses while directly enhancing artist safety, comfort, and creativity. Our partnership with Playhouse Square presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a block of newly built apartments in the Bulkley Building (located in the heart of Playhouse Square) under a multi-decade lease at a fixed, builder rate. The resource savings realized through this artist housing partnership will be reinvested directly to serve the core of our mission: high-quality mainstage productions and educational programming. Every dollar we save in rising housing costs becomes a dollar we can dedicate to engaging students, supporting artists and enriching our community through powerful storytelling that unifies us via shared experience.
GLT’s production infrastructure, from rehearsal tools to in-theater technical equipment, is essential to delivering extraordinary productions. From lighting and sound systems to scenic shop equipment, costume tools, props technology, and stage management resources, these essential elements support every production from rehearsal through performance. Many of these systems have served GLT for decades and are now reaching the end of their useful life. While carefully maintained, the organization has not had the resources to upgrade these core elements in many years. This campaign represents a proactive opportunity to address these needs in a strategic, forward-looking way.
A healthy endowment is the cornerstone of a resilient institution. With gratitude to our many Legacy Society members over the years, Great Lakes Theater’s endowment provides a critical source of operational support. However, to safeguard our future, this reserve must grow. Campaign investments in our endowment will support our ability to plan strategically and withstand economic fluctuations. Endowment growth will help ensure consistent access to our educational programming for more than 30,000 students annually, many of whom are served in under-resourced schools. It will also allow us to maintain ticket affordability for general audiences while continuing to produce work of the highest artistic standard. Most vitally, it will position GLT to attract and retain the artistic talent who bring our mission to life onstage and off.
This vital campaign coincides with Great Lakes Theater’s 65th Anniversary Season (2026-27), an occasion that invites both reflection and renewed commitment. In 1962, a group of visionary parents, educators and civic leaders founded our company with a goal of creating a cultural resource for students and the broader community. That same community-centered spirit continues to define us today. This campaign affords a powerful opportunity to affirm our core values, invest in long term sustainability and unite our community. We look forward to advancing the legacy of our forward-looking founder parents, educators, and civic leaders. With your partnership, Great Lakes Theater can continue to inspire audiences, elevate artists and transform the lives of students across our region for generations to come.
Brian Barasch
Executive Director
(216) 453-1065
Todd Krispinsky
Managing Director
(216) 453-4449
We thank the following generous donors for making gifts or submitting pledges to support our Setting the Stage Campaign (January 1, 2026 - October 7, 2026).
Bonnie & Chuck Abbey
Beth & Rick Adams
Mary Angus
Michelle Arendt & Jay McGrath
Walt & Laura Avdey
Carol A. Barnak
Kim & Bart Bixenstine
Kip T. & Catherine Bollin
David Bourne
Ryan K. and Kristin Callender
Bill & Judie Caster
Gail Cudak
Anthea and Matt Burke
Barry & Suzanne Doggett
Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill
Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press
Robert & Mollie Eardley
The Epstein Family
Sharon Flinn & Donna Ventura
Dianne V. Foley
Elizabeth Grove & Rich Bedell
Arthur C. Hall III
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell
Ryan Herman
Mary Elizabeth Huber
Robert K. & Laura A. James
Katie Kennedy & Doug White
Faisal Khan & Angela DiCorleto
Richard B. Kotila
Brian & Stacey Lawler
Susan & John Lebold
The Lubrizol Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. William E. MacDonald III
Rita & Charles Maimbourg
David & Denise Maiorana
Brian & Mary Marita
Jack E. McGrath
Linda Moore
Janet E. Neary
Diane L. Pauley
Michael & Barbara Peterman
Tim & Lynn Pistell
David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse
Greg and Donna Pribulsky
Rick° & Paula Reed
The Reinberger Foundation
Nancy° & Jeff Reinhart
Georgianna T. Roberts
John° & Barbara Schubert
Donna M. Skurzak
The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation
Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford
Sally J. Staley
A.J. & Nancy Stokes
Diana & Gene Stromberg
Gregg & Cindy Taber
Arthur L. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV
Jennifer Wooley
David & Nancy Zenker
°Deceased: The legacy of these generous donors lives on for future generations.
GLT Teacher Workshop Series!
Bring Shakespeare to life in your classroom! Join the Great Lakes Theater Teacher Workshop Series for dynamic, hands-on training that builds confidence, inspires students and meets curriculum goals. Explore fresh, performance-based teaching strategies!
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Join the Great Lakes Theater family for our 65th Anniversary Season as a subscriber. Enjoy great entertainment in the region's most extraordinary theater.
Sensory-Friendly "A Christmas Carol"
A very special event for children/adults on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as patrons who need a friendly audience environment. December 1, 2026
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