Island Forum | Youth Theatre Northwest future is secure: a victory for MI

I am writing to share good news. For 25 years, Youth Theatre Northwest has been Mercer Island’s premiere, nonprofit, performing arts center. YTN has served tens of thousands of children and produced hundreds of theatrical productions. Last winter, the economic recession and a resulting decline in revenues threatened to end our legacy as the theater came very close to the brink of closure. In response, the theater launched a “Save YTN” campaign and the immediate support of many emergency donors kept our theater doors open through spring. After a momentous vote in the chambers of Mercer Island City Hall, our legacy has been secured for the future. On Monday, June 15, the City Council approved a historic allocation of $37,000 to the Theatre’s Emergency Appeal. This is not only a cause for celebration among our young students and their families, but a victory for the entire community.

By Manuel Cawaling • June 23, 2009 1:42 pm

I am writing to share good news. For 25 years, Youth Theatre Northwest has been Mercer Island’s premiere, nonprofit, performing arts center. YTN has served tens of thousands of children and produced hundreds of theatrical productions. Last winter, the economic recession and a resulting decline in revenues threatened to end our legacy as the theater came very close to the brink of closure. In response, the theater launched a “Save YTN” campaign and the immediate support of many emergency donors kept our theater doors open through spring. After a momentous vote in the chambers of Mercer Island City Hall, our legacy has been secured for the future. On Monday, June 15, the City Council approved a historic allocation of $37,000 to the Theatre’s Emergency Appeal. This is not only a cause for celebration among our young students and their families, but a victory for the entire community.

For those of you who were not able to attend Monday’s meeting, I would love to give you a quick review of the highlights. City Hall’s Chambers were completely full with countless supporters — children, parents, artists, board members and theater staff. During the public comment period, countless theater supporters (both young and old) spoke of the impact that Youth Theatre Northwest makes in the lives of 2,000 youths each year. Several arts leaders from across the region also echoed these sentiments, including Jim Kelly, executive director for 4 Culture, the county arts commission, and Rosita Romero, a Washington State Arts Commissioner and Mercer Island resident. Many children, some so young that they had to be lifted up to the microphone, shared passionate and sincere stories about the joy that YTN has brought into their lives. During the formal review, I gave an overview of our organization and the significance of our work on the Island and throughout the region. I also shared the challenges which the organization has faced through the recession, our success with the Emergency Appeal and our plans for future financial sustainability. After the presentation, the City Council started to vote on the $20,000 recommended allocation and, surprisingly, increased the amount to $37,000, thus reaching our $100,000 goal and ending our Emergency Appeal. There were tears of joy and plenty of applause as the City Council put the needs of our community’s children first. It has now been a few days since the City Council meeting, and everyone at the theater is still in awe and glowing with gratitude and relief.

There are so many people to thank for “Saving YTN.” First, we must thank the Mercer Island Arts Council and Parks and Recreation staff for leading the vision of arts on the Island and their quick response to our troubles. If they hadn’t started the conversation, our stage may have been dark by now. We thank each member of the City Council for his leadership and commitment to a whole and healthy community. We especially thank Councilmember Dan Grausz for being an outspoken and ardent advocate, and Mayor Jim Pearman for introducing the notion of city support. I also want to thank the YTN children and families who inspire us, the people who donated and the staff that keeps working on a shoestring budget.

The greatest lesson learned over the last several months is the diversity of support that is needed to sustain Youth Theatre Northwest. In the end, it wasn’t one group that “saved YTN,” but the collective and collaborative support of all.

Mercer Island’s contribution to YTN marks the beginning of an exciting civic partnership. Over the next year, we will reveal a number of partnership programs created to thank our community for their support. One that I would like to share right now is “First Time Free!” If you’re a Mercer Island resident and have never been to a performance at Youth Theatre Northwest, please come and be our guest at the performance of your choice. Your first visit is free.

Again, on behalf of our board and staff, we thank you for your ardent support. I am honored to announce the beginning of our 26th Anniversary Season.

Manuel R. Cawaling is the Executive Director of Youth Theater Northwest.