From the Leadership
Dear Friend:
Ford’s Theatre lives at the heart of the Washington, D.C., experience—a vibrant stage for engaging and entertaining theatrical encounters and an
immersive environment that celebrates the life and values of Abraham Lincoln. The historical setting of Ford’s Theatre provides a unique frame for
exploring diverse aspects of the American experience, examining important political and social issues related to the Lincoln legacy.
Our 2013-2014 season began with a resonant and moving production of The Laramie Project, marking 15 years since the vicious hate crime that took the
life of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man living in Laramie, Wyoming. Due to the 2013 government shutdown, this production was relocated to alternate
venues during the 16 days that Ford’s Theatre was closed. Our theatrical season continued with the joyous and life-affirming A Christmas Carol, featuring
the inimitable Edward Gero. In 2014, we presented the stirring American musical Violet about healing and self-acceptance; followed by the hilarious
musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Nearly 95,000 patrons attended performances in the historic Theatre over the course of the season.
Through our dynamic education programs, nearly 250,000 students and teachers explored the leadership and legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the world
of Civil War Washington. Students engaged in a wide range of learning opportunities both on and off site and through web-based resources, while our
professional development workshops, Oratory Fellows and Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Civil War Washington Teacher Fellows programs enabled
teachers to develop meaningful and useful learning tools focused on teaching history and leadership to middle and high school students. Last year, our
education programs impacted one in six underserved students in the Washington, D.C. metro area, encouraging them to dive deeper into history and find
their voice through speech writing and performance.
Our historic site is the premier destination in Washington, D.C., to explore Lincoln’s legacy. More than 650,000 patrons toured our campus this past season,
and many of them took part in our Civil War-related programming: One Destiny, our one-act play about the assassination, and History on Foot walking
tours that take visitors back to Civil War Washington. A visit to the Ford’s Theatre campus inspires an appreciation for Lincoln’s leadership principles and an
enthusiasm for American history.
We want to thank you for your support of our work and mission. You ensure that Ford’s Theatre continues to honor Lincoln’s legacy and explore the
American experience through theatre and education.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Spiegel
Chairman of the Board
Paul R. Tetreault
Director
ANNUAL REPORT 2014 |
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