Impact Report 2022
CMT San Jose is more than just a theater company. It’s a diverse and evolving community where creativity and personal growth abounds. In our first full year of in-person programs following the pandemic, we were overjoyed by the engagement of our community, both as eager participants and inspired patrons. Across all programs, we have worked hard to celebrate each individual who participates and honor our artistic vision of inclusivity and excellence.
Letter from Kevin & Dana
This report highlights CMT’s artistic programs from November 2021 – August 2022 when we celebrated our new Creative Arts Center, and a return to the Montgomery Theater. Season 54 was like a rebirth, welcoming over 250 new performers to our production workshops and introducing first-time audience members and volunteers to our work. The Creative Arts Center met the demands of rehearsals, classes, and summer camp which served over 600 campers. It it even made a great fund-raising venue for our 30th Annual Gala. While Covid restrictions limited school field trips, we were happy to welcome those students who were able to attend and be part of the CMT experience.
We gratefully attribute our success to the support we received from our entire CMT community. This includes leadership from our Board of Directors, dedicated teaching artists and artistic teams, foundations, local government, corporate sponsors and individual donors, along with our robust and dedicated Team CMT volunteers.
Thank you for believing in CMT and helping our community thrive.
CMT San Jose trains and educates today’s youth through musical theater to set and achieve high artistic and personal goals, and to inspire them to become exemplary artists, patrons and citizens of tomorrow. With inclusiveness and quality as the two touchstones of CMT’s vision, we remain dedicated to providing the highest possible caliber of musical and theatrical training to children from ages 4 to 20, spanning all abilities. We stand behind our promise never turn a child away, regardless of financial or physical limitations.
“As a parent, CMT provides my family with a unique combination of a highly supporting community along with world class creativity. Both of our children love being part of CMT as they thrive in this imaginative, nurturing environment. They, and us, have made lifelong friends; CMT encourages each and every unique person in an individualistic and caring way, and has an inclusive creative vision – a rare, beautiful gift for us all in the present and for the future.”
–Maya Yereslove
“CMT has helped my children to grow and develop their confidence and resilience. As a parent I love being part of the community because of all the connections I have made with amazing people. The other parents are always supportive and friendly, and I have made many new friendships in the years we have been a part of CMT.”
–Steve Flowers
Community
CMT serves as both the journey of a lifetime and the premier destination for performers and audiences of all ages. Thanks to its artistic vision and unparalleled leadership, CMT is one of the only youth-centric performing arts organizations consistently recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts for artistic excellence.
Research indicates* that involvement in the arts increases student engagement and encourages consistent attendance. In addition to building social and communication aptitude overall, drama courses and performances have been shown to improve student’s self-esteem as well as confidence in their academic abilities and life skills.
* Study of The Effects of Theatre Education from American Alliance for Theater & Education
“I had the privilege to come back from NYC to share my working theatre knowledge, along with many fellow alumni, to choreograph numbers in their most recent production of White Christmas. More than a masterclass, these young artists get firsthand experience and choreography of working with so many different backgrounds and styles and then getting the chance to share what they’ve learned onstage at the Montgomery. I have been impressed with the theater’s effort to bring talent together in the creation of their shows. It’s the kind of special experience that you can’t find at every theatre.”
–Dennis O’Bannion White Christmas (Broadway)
“CMTSJ is solely responsible for igniting my love for musical theatre. CMT allowed me to be myself fully, and encouraged me to follow that passion into the blessed career that I’ve been fortunate to have since I left. CMT is more than just a place; as weird as it sounds, everyone who walks through those doors knows that CMT is a relationship. It is community, it is family, it is home. I’m confident that CMT shaped the artist that I am today. Art is beautiful and captivating, but it is also hard and messy, just like artists. But CMT is exactly the community to let that artist — and that person — thrive and be fully realized.”
-Aaron J. Albano, Hamilton, National Tour
Diversity
CMT is committed to ensure we create performances and training opportunities for our youth through an equitable lens. With the support of our Diversity Committee, CMT has adopted new guidelines to strengthen our commitment to eliminate racial bias within our organization and to do our part to create a new future based on equality and systemic change. More on EDI.
In the Spring of Season 54, CMT’s mounted the highly anticipated Marquee production of Kinky Boots. Originally planned to premier in the spring of 2020 the production featured working actors and CMT Alumni from NY, LA, and throughout the Bay Area. Marquee productions often allow CMT to take new risks and tell bold stories from all walks of life. Kinky Boots was a celebration of being true to one’s self. CMT was not only proud to premiere this production in the Bay Area, but to share the shows themes of love and acceptance for all.
CMT’s 2021 Summer Series was set entirely under the sea. A highlight of the summer included a beautiful production of Disney’s Moana Jr. featuring our Junior Talents, ages 7 – 10. When CMT chose to produce this title we did so with the intentionality and commitment to tell this story through an authentic voice and led by a team from the AAPI community. From start to finish this production celebrated oceanic cultures. The artistic team included a cultural consultant, hula expert, and a vocal director who focused not only on musical notes and harmonies, but also on pronunciation of the Samoan language and cultural aspects of the show. CMT was proud to share this rich culture and history with the CMT community.
Education
Scholarships
Over $19,000 given to 65+ recipients
Student Audience Matinees
• 1,190+ Patrons
• 11 Groups
Recital/Dance Classes
• 42 Classes
• 540 Participants
• 365 Hours
Creativity
Resilience
Adaptability
CMT was determined to create a safe space for youth to come together and live out their dreams in person this season. While following county health guidelines, CMT found ways to continue to offer instruction and performance opportunities for all who wished to participate. CMT thanks the broader community for their trust in CMT and attendance at the theater all season, while adhering to new rules and regulations at the theater to ensure cast, crew, and patrons stay healthy and safe.
STUDIO 54 | CMT’S ANNUAL GALA
In February 2022, CMT created a new, covid-friendly event for its annual gala. Nearly 600 guests gathered throughout the day at CMT’s new Creative Arts Center for a progressive cabaret style event, transformed to elicit Studio 54 flare. Over four separate events that day, guests were transported in small groups through three showrooms, all featuring top-notch Broadway style entertainment featuring CMT alumni and current performers. The event was both a culinary journey and electrifying day of inspiring performances. It was very special to gather together for this reimagined annual tradition, and have the opportunity to share our new home with the greater community.
As a non-profit, CMT is always looking for new partnerships and arts enthusiasts to support its programs and participants. To learn more about how you can make the greatest impact, please contact CMT Managing Director Dana Zell at dana@cmtsj.org
WHY FUNDRAISE?
Revenue from ticket sales and registrations only cover about 60% of our overall operating budget. The rest is raised through the support from foundations, corporations, and individuals like you!
OPERATING REVENUE:
2018 | $2,871,905
2019 | $2,895,775
2020 | $1,088,965
2021 | $2,048,063*
2022 | $3,483,000*
*(includes one time $1.5M+ in federal recovery funds from pandemic)
2022 Total Revenue: $3,483,000
2021 & 2022 were unique in that over $1.5M in federal recovery funds were received to help CMT recover from the pandemic. These one-time funds allowed CMT to continue to provide a full slate of programming and production values, despite lower participation, audience attendance, and individual donations. In the years ahead, growth across all areas of operation are vital to ensure we’re able to continue to thrive as an arts leader in our community.
Contributed
Earned
Corporate
Individual
Foundation
Government
Contributed Revenue Breakdown
“We give to CMT because the organization is like family to us and many others. The experiences of learning, creating, and performing serve the thousands of children who take part in CMT all their lives. We believe exposing young audiences as well as performers to the arts is important. CMT provides invaluable opportunities to our community.”
– Phil and Katherine Costanza
“It’s incredible to think about the amount of creativity, positivity and pure joy CMT has brought to our family. Show by show we are watching our daughter challenge herself and grow in the safe, professional environment that is the legacy of CMT. We are so grateful for everyone who makes it possible.”
– Julz & Phil Arney