Angels in the American Theater: Patrons, Patronage, and Philanthropy (Theater in the Americas)

__Angels in the American Theater: Patrons, Patronage, and Philanthropy__ examines the significant roles that theater patrons have played in shaping and developing theater in the United States. Because box office income rarely covers the cost of production, other sources are vital. Angels—financial investors and backers—have a tremendous impact on what happens on stage, often determining with the power and influence of their money what is conceived, produced, and performed. But in spite of their influence, very little has been written about these philanthropists. Composed of sixteen essays and fifteen illustrations, __Angels in the American Theater__ explores not only how donors became angels but also their backgrounds, motivations, policies, limitations, support, and successes and failures. Subjects range from millionaires Otto Kahn and the Lewisohn sisters to foundation giants Ford, Rockefeller, Disney, and Clear Channel. The first book to focus on theater philanthropy, __Angels in the American Theater__ employs both a historical and a chronological format and focuses on individual patrons, foundations, and corporations.

Angels in the American Theater: Patrons, Patronage, and Philanthropy examines the significant roles that theater patrons have played in shaping and developing theater in the United States. Because box office income rarely covers the cost of production, other sources are vital. Angels—financial investors and backers—have a tremendous impact on what happens on stage, often determining with the power and influence of their money what is conceived, produced, and performed. But in spite of their influence, very little has been written about these philanthropists.

 

Composed of sixteen essays and fifteen illustrations, Angels in the American Theater explores not only how donors became angels but also their backgrounds, motivations, policies, limitations, support, and successes and failures. Subjects range from millionaires Otto Kahn and the Lewisohn sisters to foundation giants Ford, Rockefeller, Disney, and Clear Channel. The first book to focus on theater philanthropy, Angels in the American Theater employs both a historical and a chronological format and focuses on individual patrons, foundations, and corporations.

Angels in the American Theater: Patrons, Patronage, and Philanthropy examines the significant roles that theater patrons have played in shaping and developing theater in the United States. Because box office income rarely covers the cost of production, other sources are vital. Angel financial investors and backer have a tremendous impact on what happens on stage, often determining with the power and influence of their money what is conceived, produced, and performed. But in spite of their influence, very little has been written about these philanthropists. Composed of sixteen essays and fifteen illustrations, Angels in the American Theater explores not only how donors became angels but also their backgrounds, motivations, policies, limitations, support, and successes and failures. Subjects range from millionaires Otto Kahn and the Lewisohn sisters to foundation giants Ford, Rockefeller, Disney, and Clear Channel. The first book to focus on theater philanthropy, Angels in the American Theater employs both a historical and a chronological format and focuses on individual patrons, foundations, and corporations Theater in the Americas Other Books in the Theater in the Americas Series 3 Title Page 6 Copyright 7 Contents 10 Illustrations 12 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction 18 Part One: Individual Angels 36 1. Modern Cosmopolitan 38 2. Copper Heiresses Take the Stage 55 3. Wheedled, Bullied, or Cajoled 71 4. Queen of Off Broadway 88 5. Patronage and Playwriting 105 6. Everyone’s an Angel 121 7. An Alternative Theater Angel 137 8. Producer, Benefactor, and Playhouse Maker 153 9. The Art of Good Business 170 Part Two: Institutional Angels 188 10. The Founding of Theater Arts Philanthropy in America 190 11. Funding “MaMa” 207 12. A Community of Angels for Actors Theatre of Louisville 225 13. Raising the Curtain 242 14. Funding the Theatrical Future 259 15. Modern Medicis 276 16. Static in the Signal 293 Resources 314 Contributors 318 Index 324 Theater in the Americas series statement 332 Back Cover 333