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About
The Count Basie Theatre, a 1926 historic theatre is located
in the heart of Red Bank, New Jersey.
It has been another solid year of steady growth for the Count Basie Theatre, Inc., as we saw improvements in our operations, fundraising and community outreach. Fundraising and “friendraising” conducted by the Count Basie Theatre Foundation, under the leadership of CEO Rusty Young, the Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Foundation’s staff provided the Theatre’s Operations with the full support budgeted for the year and brought in donations and pledges of $4.9 million in support of our capital improvement/restoration efforts. A major contributor to the success of our fundraising efforts can be attributed to the generous support of Foundation Board of Director member Patti Scialfa and her husband Bruce Springsteen. The concert presented in the Theatre on May 7th, featuring Bruce and the E Street Band was not just an experience of a lifetime, but it also raised over $2 .8 million in revenues for the Theatre’s operating budget and capital campaign.
That concert was the exclamation point on an excellent year. For the 6th consecutive year, we increased the number of total performances, the number of performances presented by the Theatre (where we take on the presenter’s risk), the number of courses offered both on-site and in the community by our Cool School program, the number of Cool School students enrolled, the number of Cool School scholarships awarded, and the number of participants in our Basie Awards program, which recognizes excellence in high school theater programs.
This year also gave the Theatre another opportunity to give something back to the community. In December, we hosted Hope Concert III. In many ways, this concert embodies the Theatre’s mission. Several years ago, the Theatre’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Theatre CEO Numa Saisselin’s plan to choose one charity a year to support through a benefit concert. The Theatre was donated for this event, and Jon Bon Jovi, Bobby Bandiera, Gary U. S. Bonds, Southside Johnny, Mark Pender & LaBamba, The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue, and Tim McLoone and the Shirleys all appeared without a fee. Each year’s concert has been truly a labor of love, and last year we raised over $500,000 for The Valerie Fund.
With our Operations and Fundraising activities in full swing, we scheduled the closure of the Theatre for 4 months so that desperately needed restoration work could be done in the auditorium and lobbies. When we reopen, we will have a fully restored auditorium, a restored and reconfigured lobby and box office, and a new lounge for Members of the Theatre. We will also have put in place the infrastructure to support other needed improvements, including new bathrooms, an upgraded HVAC system, upgraded sound and lighting systems and repairs to the building’s deteriorating façade. This additional work will depend in large measure on the continuing support of our major benefactors as well as the members of our community at large.
That concert was the exclamation point on an excellent year. For the 6th consecutive year, we increased the number of total performances, the number of performances presented by the Theatre (where we take on the presenter’s risk), the number of courses offered both on-site and in the community by our Cool School program, the number of Cool School students enrolled, the number of Cool School scholarships awarded, and the number of participants in our Basie Awards program, which recognizes excellence in high school theater programs.
This year also gave the Theatre another opportunity to give something back to the community. In December, we hosted Hope Concert III. In many ways, this concert embodies the Theatre’s mission. Several years ago, the Theatre’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Theatre CEO Numa Saisselin’s plan to choose one charity a year to support through a benefit concert. The Theatre was donated for this event, and Jon Bon Jovi, Bobby Bandiera, Gary U. S. Bonds, Southside Johnny, Mark Pender & LaBamba, The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue, and Tim McLoone and the Shirleys all appeared without a fee. Each year’s concert has been truly a labor of love, and last year we raised over $500,000 for The Valerie Fund.
With our Operations and Fundraising activities in full swing, we scheduled the closure of the Theatre for 4 months so that desperately needed restoration work could be done in the auditorium and lobbies. When we reopen, we will have a fully restored auditorium, a restored and reconfigured lobby and box office, and a new lounge for Members of the Theatre. We will also have put in place the infrastructure to support other needed improvements, including new bathrooms, an upgraded HVAC system, upgraded sound and lighting systems and repairs to the building’s deteriorating façade. This additional work will depend in large measure on the continuing support of our major benefactors as well as the members of our community at large.
Watch the video below for a sneak preview at an upcoming documentary about the Basie!
THE COUNT BASIE THEATRE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS:
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