13.6.141.114 Application
The Manatee Players, Inc.

Proposal Information

Item	Response
Application #	13.6.141.114
Program	General Program Support
Proposal Type	Discipline-Based
Funding Category	Level 3
Discipline	Community Theatre
Applicant is requesting REDI waiver	N/A
Residency Contact Hours	N/A
Proposal Synopsis	This proposal will provide financial support to enhance the productions of a national award-winning Community Theatre, entering its 66th year of operation and presenting eight musicals including an extended holiday show in a performance season running from August to May. Funds will also assist in incorporating artistic elements into the educational touring productions and community outreach programs, upon which the local school district and area not-for-profit agencies have come to rely.

Applicant Information

Item	Response
Corporate Name	The Manatee Players, Inc.
DBA Name	N/A
Federal Employer ID	59-1196043
Principal Address	102 Old Main Street Bradenton, FL 34205-7815
County	Manatee
Applicant Email Address	education@manateeplayers.com
Grant Contact	Leona Braun, Education/Grants Manager
Authorized Official	Rick Kerby, Managing Artistic Director
Website	www.manateeplayers.com

Mission Statement

The mission of Manatee Players, Inc. is to represent, enrich and stimulate people through the art of live theatre by providing entertainment, education and an artistic outlet.

Proposal Description

Goals

• To serve as a cultural, educational resource for the city of Bradenton and all of Manatee County

• To reflect and be responsive to the cultural needs/tastes of the community

• To strive to create a positive theatrical experience for patrons and participants

In addition, Manatee Players' Board of Directors has cited 4 short-range goals in their Strategic Plan to serve as a guideline for staff:

• That Manatee Players continue to broaden its outreach for volunteers, artists, staff, Board members and audience to serve the ever-evolving spectrum of Manatee County's population

• That Manatee Players' artistic excellence and contributions to theatre be recognized on a local, regional and national level

• That Manatee Players place increased emphasis on bolstering the Capital Campaign with the pressing goal of completing the new Manatee Players Performing Arts Center within the time frome of this grant proposal

• That Manatee Players continue to work toward insuring sustained financial stability

Objectives

• Produce a 10-month Season featuring 8 mainstage full-scale musical productions for the enjoyment of 30,000 plus patrons

• Provide a satisfying artistic outlet for community members seeking to perform onstage and crew members desiring to serve backstage

• Offer continuing professional quality theatrical training to young performers and stagehands aged 6 - 17

• Partner with the Manatee County and Sarasota County School Districts as well as private schools to present live theatre performances on topics of concern for elementary and middle achool students

• Make available a professional performance venue and technical assistance to community organizations in need of a space to present their productions

• Serve as a consultant to groups or individuals seeking directorial and event presentation advice and assistance

• Offer private organizations entertainment options for their fundraising and social event needs

• Provide new and aspiring directors and designers a professional environment in which to showcase and improve their talents

• Concentrate on generating additional Operations income through increased subscriptions sales, business sponsorships, individual philanthropy, organization venue buy-outs and set, costume and prop rentals to colleges and high schools throughout the state

• Establish an endowment 2 times the Operating budget

• Develop a 'Second Stage' series of presentations geared toward offering experimental and new plays by both local and national playwrights, musical ensembles and one-man shows

Activities

• Rehearse 8 mainstage musicals 5 days/week for 7 weeks and play for 16 - 20 performances from August 2012 to May 2013

• Run 2 performance-based summer camps-- Junior Camp for 2 weeks in mid-June for ages 6 - 12 and Broadway Boot Camp for 3 weeks in July for ages 8-12 with prior Junior Camp experience and ages 13-17

• Have each summer camp culminate in a dress rehearsal for an invited audience of county campers and 4 public family-friendly performances of a complete musical production

• Take an abbreviated version of 1 mainstage Season musical to competition at the Florida Theatre Conference with the intention of progressing to the South Eastern Theatre Conference (in June 2011, Manatee Players represents the southeast region at the American Association of Community Theatres national competition)

• Direct a junior musical production for a local, private Catholic Middle School that does not have a drama teacher but wants their students to have a theatrical experience

• Offer Broadway Boogie after-school theatrical dance classes in jazz, ballet and tap for both beginners and advanced teens

• Continue the relationship with the Manatee Education Foundation to bring timely theatrical performances to public schools based on issues of concern to school administrators (like peer and cyber bullying)

• Tour the educational performances a second school year to Sarasota County schools (as funding permits)

• Partner with not-for-profits including Tidewell Hospice to present topical plays to the communities they serve

• Continue to provide performance space to dance schools for their recitals

• Continue to provide free-of-charge directorial assistance, costumes and props for the Manatee County Historical Society as they prepare to take students to state-wide competition (We've had 3 state winners go on to national competition in Washington DC from Manatee County)

• Continue to provide assistance producing Manatee County High School Theatre Festival

• Continue to provide performers for county-wide street and outdoor festivals including Anna Maria Island's Pier Centennial Celebration, Lakewood Ranch's Arts on Main Street and Realize Bradenton's sARTee

• Book touring performances of shows like Beatlemania Now and Blend Doo Wop a capella group as the performance schedule permits

• Continue presenting the Wednesday matinee series entitled "Afternoon Delights" from December through March with performers including Kurt Sutton as Mark Twain and the Ditchfield Family Singers

• Continue to update Manatee Players' website and e-newsletter with links to sponsors and cultural partners

• Continue to add new patrons to the e-newsletter data base on a monthly basis

• Expand Manatee Players' social media presence on facebook and twitter

• Continue to serve on Arts Academy Advisory Boards at local high schools as more of the schools in the district strive to offer a more comprehensive curriculum in the performing arts

Culture Builds Florida's Future

1. Strengthening the Economy

   In 2007 - 2008 Manatee Players' audience participated in an Americans for the Arts survey funded by the Knight Foundation. The findings, reported to the Bradenton City Council in Spring 2009, indicated that the arts, including Manatee Players' theatrical productions generate more than $600,000 to local government. Additionally, both resident and non-resident patrons of the arts in Manatee County generate approximately seventeen and a half million dollars beyond the fees from ticket sales in the form of meals, lodging and shopping. That makes an average of $40 per attendee supporting businesses in the downtown Bradenton area.

   Added to patron spending is the fact that local spending for production purposes by cultural organizations including Manatee Players brings the economic activity in Bradenton by arts organizations and audiences to $29,500,000.

   American Style Magazine listed Bradenton in the Top 25 Small Cities for the Arts at #22 in 2010 and the current issue of the magazine ranks Bradenton #10 for 2011. Art Calendar Magazine ranks Bradenton as one of the 10 Great American Towns for working Artists. Manatee Players is pleased to have been factored into the awarding of those titles, which should attract new residents to the community.

   Finally, in the Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community 2010 report, Bradenton was compared to 25 similar American cities in a rubric of 10 community attributes. It was found that, "Bradenton residents give high ratings to the community's availabilty of arts and cultural opportunities and social community events." Manatee Players is an active participant in those areas.

2. Learning and Wellness

   Manatee Players' Youth programs allow youngsters to 'grow up' onstage. The 2-week Junior Camp is for ages 6-12. After a session in Junior Camp, a child may move up to the 3-week Broadway Boot Camp before they fall into the 13-17 age range. The camps have a school nurse on-site everyday. Both camps offer a Broadway musical experience where auditions are held the first day of camp and following days include warm-up sessions, music and dance rehearsals, blocking, costume fittings and running lines. At the end of the 2/3 weeks, local youth volunteer on the running crew for the public performances. The teens from Boot Camp then feel empowered to audition for mainstage productions. They fully understand the level of commitment and discipline that is expected of them.
   Parents report that the Boot Camp experience is a life changing one. Some children become more focused and organized, follow directions better and expand their circle of friends to include those who share same interests. Others realize that acting is a positive channel for self-expression, filling them with confidence and feelings of accomplishment. Teens performing in Season mainstage productions have a safe, nurturing environment in which to spend their evenings during rehearsals and performances. The young cast members also find a place that they 'fit in' and are accepted.
   A couple who had 3 children in camp wrote, "The program taught our children many important lessons that will serve them well as they grow into adulthood."

   The Artistic Director annually works with the Arts Council of Manatee County's week-long ROOTS program each June, offering elementary age Hispanic youth a taste of performing. The ROOTS program feeds students eligible for scholarships into Junior Camp.

   The Manatee Players' theatre also serves as a training site for clients of Easter Seals, Shepherd's Den and partners with the Manatee Transition Interagency Committee. The participants of these programs learn custodial and office skills that eventually translate from volunteering to being gainfully employed.

3. Building Leadership

   Manatee Players is committed to bringing topical, thought-provoking dramatic performances to schools throughout the district. Through grants from local organizations including Rotary Club, Woman's Exchange and Manatee Education Foundation,Tomato Plant Girl, a play that deals with peer bullying has been performed monthly in elementary schools and The Secret Life of Girls, a play about the tragic effects of cyber bullying has toured middle schools in Manatee County. A grant has just been received to take the cyber bullying play to Sarasota County middle schools as well. All performances are followed by a "talk back" that includes school guidance counselors, resource officers and the cast, comprised of students from Manatee School for the Arts. Manatee Players provides study guides for classroom follow-up. Students come to realize that they can take a leadership role by standing up to bullies or at least by not participating in such behavior. It is encouraging to watch the faces of students in the audiences as the plays unfold and they recognize behavior that is familiar to them and options that they have.
   The Manatee Players Education Manager is currently working with Tidewell Hospice to find a play for young audiences that deals with overcoming loss and grief for an upcoming school tour.

   Leadership development of another kind is offered by Manatee Players when they offer contracts to new costume, set and lighting designers who are just beginning their careers. Some of these contracted artistic employees have previously volunteered on crews for the theatre. They are given a first opportunity to fine tune their craft under the watchful eye of experienced designers.
   Manatee Players has also been able to play a small part in advancing the acting careers of several promising performers. One young graduate of Julliard attributes his landing a featured role in the National Tour of West Side Story to his having starred in the Manatee Players' production of that show (see 'Recognition in Print' section of supporting materials).

4. Design and Development

   Since September 2006, Manatee Players has been involved in a project that will enhance the cultural atmosphere and landscape of downtown Bradenton forever. The Manatee Players Performing Arts Center, nearing completion 3 blocks from the current 60-year-old structure, will be the home for all disciplines of the performing arts including theatrical performances, dance recitals, musical concerts, film series and workshops. It will also offer a solution to the need for a community gathering space for meetings, lectures, receptions and fundraisers, which currently are subject to availability around the performance schedule. The building will also feature a gallery for local visual artists.

   The new building is in complete ADA compliance with rehearsal space, administrative offices, classrooms, meeting rooms and storage, all of which are sorely lacking in the current structure. Even the orchestra pit, control booth and catwalks are wheelchair accessible. Manatee Players has worked to maintain the Spanish architectural integrity of downtown while creating a state-of-the-art technical facility. The mainstage hall will house an additional 142 patrons, while a second, flexible-arrangement 80-seat Studio theatre will allow for showcasing new works.
   Ground-breaking was facilitated by a bequest from a deceased season patron who stipulated that construction had to begin within a year of her death or the funds would be lost. Wisely, the Capital Campaign committee chose to not incur debt and proceed only as funds were raised. Construction has continued thanks to financial support from local government and the private sector, although slower than originally anticipated. A budget separate from Operations and a Development office at the site have been maintained through the process. The entire staff looks forward to inhabiting their new home and making it the cultural hub for west central Florida that it is destined to be.

Proposal Estimates

Estimated Number of	Response	Instructions to the Applicant
school based youth benefiting	2,000	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in organized school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
non-school based youth benefiting	17,500	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in non-school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
elders benefiting	32,000	Enter the number of individuals over the age of 65 that are expected to benefit from the proposal activities. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
artists participating	450	Enter the estimated number of professional artists that will be directly involved in providing artistic services specifically identified with the proposal. Include living artists whose work is represented in an exhibition regardless of whether the work was provided by the artist or by an institution. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
individuals benefiting	67,500	Give the total number of individuals that are expected to be involved in proposal activities as artists, non-artists, participants, or audience members. This number should include the values listed for youth, elders and artists.
proposal events	70	How many different events will be produced or presented within the grant period as a part of this proposal? Be sure to list different events, not performances. For example, a musical performed 10 times is only one event, but a musical performed 10 times and workshop done once are two events.
opportunities for public participation	280	Each event will have one or more opportunities for public participation. For example a musical performed 10 times is one event with 10 opportunities for public participation.

Project/Program Location

• Manatee
• Sarasota

Proposal Impact

With more than 2,700 season subscribers and a total of more than 36,000 patrons coming to see the musicals, children's productions, touring companies and midnight film showings each year, Manatee Players contributes directly to the local economy's restaurants, bars and shops all along Main Street. There is a dinner and show package with Mattison's Riverside on the pier facing the theatre. Many other restaurants and bars have found it profitable to stay open on show nights to accommodate theater-goers and offer discounts on the reverse side of tickets to performances.
At least 12 times a year, group tours from Naples (Best Group Tours) and Ft. Lauderdale (ALM Transport) bring bus loads of retired senior citizens on weekend excursions to Manatee Players. They see a show, dine and shop locally and stay overnight in area hotels. There is even a special New Years Eve Party with a performance and live television feed presented by Manatee Players for the bus tours coming from south and east Florida.

Manatee Players, Inc. also contributes to the local economy buy purchasing supplies needed to build and decorate sets at local hardware and building supply stores, purchasing unique props and costumes from antique establishments like Retro Rosie's and office supplies from Keeton's, a locally-owned office and art supplier.
Local contractors have designed and are building the new Manatee Players Performing Arts Center, thus creating jobs for local residents. Needless to say, hiring local directors, designers and musicians for Season productions also contributes to the economy of the community.
The theater additionally provides costumes and entertainment for other county not-for-profits to assist with their fundraising efforts.

Manatee Players values the many partnerships it has established within their community. Bright House Networks produces and airs public service announcements for the theatre. In exchange, the theatre provides actors for locally-produced commercials. Bradenton Herald offers a free print ad for every 2 that are purchased to promote theatrical offerings. Other partnerships include The City of Bradenton and the School Board of Manatee County for whom the theatre provides internships, classroom visits and tours of their facility. The cultural partnership with Realize Bradenton, a branch of the Downtown Development Authority, provides entertainment and assistance for street events and outdoor festivals, designed to bring both tourists and locals to the downtown area.

Manatee Players' Youth Theater Training Programs are designed to offer young actors the opportunity to participate in a complete theatrical performance while gaining skills in creative thinking, problem solving, oral communication, cross-cultural understanding and socialization. Manatee Players does not believe in teaching youngsters 'to act'. Rather, the programs encourage students to draw on life experiences to create a role and perform it. It is for this reason that the Junior Camp begins with age 7 (and the ability to read) and the teen Boot Camp training goes through age 17. Many youth have grown up on this stage, appearing in productions for more that 15 consecutive years, a progression the audience loves to witness. The young lady who played Peter Pan 12 years ago, played Gypsy Rose Lee last year. She also serves as assistant director in our summer camps.
During the school year, Manatee Players offers Broadway Boogie theatrical dance classes in jazz and tap, taught by the choreographers of mainstage productions. The program has recently grown to necessitate adding beginner and advanced classes so everyone can learn at their own level. These classes provide talented dancers for the ensembles of Season productions.
Manatee Players directs a local parochial middle school musical each year, providing a dramatic experience in a school that, otherwise, has no theater program.

Operating Budget

	Operating Expenses	Completed Fiscal Year ending 6/30/10
1.	Personnel: Administrative	328,190
2.	Personnel: Programmatic
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	111,516
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	249,047
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	52,386
6.	Space Rental, Rent or Mortgage
7.	Travel	1,003
8.	Marketing	49,281
9.	Remaining Operating Expenses	92,461
A.	Total Cash Expenses	$883,884
B.	In-kind Contributions	$78,730
C.	Total Operating Expenses	$962,614
	Operating Income	Completed Fiscal Year ending 6/30/10
10.	Revenue: Admissions	731,860
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services	25,714
12.	Revenue: Other	84,090
13.	Private Support: Corporate	29,700
14.	Private Support: Foundation	8,321
15.	Private Support: Other	81,244
16.	Government Support: Federal
17.	Government Support: State/Regional
18.	Government Support: Local/County
19.	Applicant Cash
D.	Total Cash Income	$960,929
B.	In-kind Contributions	$78,730
E.	Total Operating Income	$1,039,659

Additional Operating Budget Information

No answer provided.

Proposal Budget: Summary

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	0	394,147	24,000	$418,147
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	0	0	0	$0
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	55,500	92,100	45,000	$192,600
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	34,000	110,100	0	$144,100
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	75,950	0	$75,950
6.	Space Rental	0	3,000	2,000	$5,000
7.	Travel	0	3,000	0	$3,000
8.	Marketing	10,500	27,600	7,000	$45,100
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	71,043	0	$71,043
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	100,000	776,940	78,000	$954,940
	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		611,940		611,940
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		20,500		20,500
12.	Revenue: Other		41,000		41,000
13.	Private Support: Corporate		12,500		12,500
14.	Private Support: Foundation		8,000		8,000
15.	Private Support: Other		83,000		83,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		0		$0
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		0		$0
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	100,000	776,940	78,000	$954,940

Proposal Budget: Detail

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-Kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	0	394,147	24,000	$418,147
1.1. 8 full time staff-pay & benefits & 4 part-time staff		0	394,147	0	394,147
1.2. Volunteer hours		0	0	24,000	24,000
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	0	0	0	$0
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	55,500	92,100	45,000	$192,600
3.1. Musical Directors		14,000	19,000	0	33,000
3.2. Musicians		20,000	26,000	0	46,000
3.3. Lighting Designers		5,000	10,000	0	15,000
3.4. Set Designers		5,000	7,000	0	12,000
3.5. Guest Directors		6,000	12,000	0	18,000
3.6. Choreographers		1,500	1,500	0	3,000
3.7. Costume Designers		4,000	8,000	0	12,000
3.8. Stage Managers		0	3,200	0	3,200
3.9. Actor Expense		0	1,000	0	1,000
3.10. Volunteer Hours		0	0	45,000	45,000
3.11. House Manager		0	2,400	0	2,400
3.12. Volunteer Coordinator		0	2,000	0	2,000
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	34,000	110,100	0	$144,100
4.1. Scripts & Royalties		10,000	70,000	0	80,000
4.2. Music/Sound		2,000	3,500	0	5,500
4.3. Scenic Supplies		10,000	14,000	0	24,000
4.4. Lighting		3,000	4,000	0	7,000
4.5. Props		0	3,900	0	3,900
4.6. Costumes/shop supplies		9,000	10,100	0	19,100
4.7. Dry Cleaning		0	1,000	0	1,000
4.8. Other Expenses		0	3,600	0	3,600
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	75,950	0	$75,950
5.1. Camp		0	3,150	0	3,150
5.2. Fundraisers		0	5,500	0	5,500
5.3. Grounds		0	3,500	0	3,500
5.4. Cleaning- Building		0	1,200	0	1,200
5.5. Repairs- Building		0	10,000	0	10,000
5.6. Utilities		0	30,600	0	30,600
5.7. Maintenance- Truck		0	7,000	0	7,000
5.8. Accounting		0	15,000	0	15,000
6.	Space Rental	0	3,000	2,000	$5,000
6.1. Storage		0	3,000	2,000	5,000
7.	Travel	0	3,000	0	$3,000
7.1. Conferences		0	2,000	0	2,000
7.2. Entertainment		0	1,000	0	1,000
8.	Marketing	10,500	27,600	7,000	$45,100
8.1. Playbills		0	7,600	0	7,600
8.2. Advertising		10,500	12,500	7,000	30,000
8.3. Brochures/Ticket Stock		0	6,200	0	6,200
8.4. e-newsletter (next level)		0	1,300	0	1,300
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	71,043	0	$71,043
9.1. Employee/Volunteer Appreciation		0	3,000	0	3,000
9.2. Office Supplies		0	6,000	0	6,000
9.3. Postage		0	5,000	0	5,000
9.4. Dues/Subscriptions		0	2,250	0	2,250
9.5. Bank Charges		0	200	0	200
9.6. Permits/Legal		0	1,500	0	1,500
9.7. Events		0	8,000	0	8,000
9.8. Liability Insurance		0	10,000	0	10,000
9.9. Board of Directors		0	1,500	0	1,500
9.10. Copiers		0	25,000	0	25,000
9.11. Computer repair/upgrade		0	7,000	0	7,000
9.12. Employee Development		0	1,000	0	1,000
9.13. Background Checks		0	200	0	200
9.14. Donor Development		0	393	0	393
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	100,000	776,940	78,000	$954,940

	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		611,940		$611,940
10-1 Subscriptions			250,682		250,682
10-2 Individual Tickets			354,258		354,258
10-3 Gift Certificates			7,000		7,000
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		20,500		$20,500
11-1 Playbill/Ticket Advertising			10,000		10,000
11-2 Theatre Rental/Outside Productions			4,500		4,500
11-3 Costume Rental			2,000		2,000
11-4 Prop & Set Rental			4,000		4,000
12.	Revenue: Other		41,000		$41,000
12-1 Camps/Education			41,000		41,000
13.	Private Support: Corporate		12,500		$12,500
13-1 Season Production Producers			12,500		12,500
14.	Private Support: Foundation		8,000		$8,000
14-1 Grants for Scholarships & Touring			8,000		8,000
15.	Private Support: Other		83,000		$83,000
15-1 Board Dues			8,000		8,000
15-2 Fundraisers- Events			12,000		12,000
15-3 Contributions			38,000		38,000
15-4 Fundraisers- In-House			25,000		25,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		0		$0
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		0		$0
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	100,000	776,940	78,000	$954,940

Additional Proposal Budget Information

No answer provided.

Fiscal Condition and Sustainability

In these challenging economic times, Manatee Players has zero debt, ending each year in the black. This can be attributed to strong Board leadership, loyal patrons, a growing subscriber base, and dedicated volunteers and staff. In addition, the generosity of more than 1,750 individual donors and businesses have sustained Manatee Players. The fact that tickets to all season productions sell at 95 - 100% capacity is also a factor in remaining fiscally stable.
In order to establish an on-going cash flow to offset the cost of new productions, Manatee Players also recently began to rent props, costumes and sets to high schools and college and community theaters throughout Florida and other parts of the country. The custom made Model-T from Ragtime is a very popular rental item as well as the sets from Curtains and Hairspray. The availability of these pieces is posted on the Musical Theatre International (MTI) website and advertised at theatre festivals with promotional pieces including a power point presentation created in-house.
The Manatee Players Board of Directors is working on establishing an endowment two times the size of the Operating Budget and increasing the financial commitment of current donors to both Operations and the Capital Campaign.

As validation of fiscal stability, Manatee Players received the Stanford Financial Excellence in the Arts award in 2008. This designation recognized local arts organizations for their financial responsibility and sound fiscal practices while being good stewards of patron contributions. The final year that this recognition was awarded was also the first year the Manatee County programs were allowed to apply. Previously it was only open to the many Sarasota County arts organizations. Manatee Players is proud to have been the only Manatee County program to win the award.

Evaluation Plan

Manatee Players has found the most constructive and efficient way to collect data for evaluation and analysis is through the completion of surveys. That is why surveys developed by Americans for the Arts and Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community are important to the decision-making process. Both national surveys enforced the idea that performing arts are essential to the cultural climate of Manatee County and encouraged scheduling more touring performances and the creation of the Afternoon Delights series.
Realize Bradenton also conducts surveys amongst attendees at their arts 'umbrella' events and shares results with all Cultural Partners, proving beneficial to the Manatee Players scheduling of lectures and films.

In-house surveys completed by patrons have been helpful in determining that Manatee Players should switch their Season offerings to an all-musical line up of shows. This change was implemented for the 2009-2010 season and proved financially successful. It was decided that the comedies and dramas will resume in the new Studio theater. Previous to the '09-'10 season the success of mainstage productions was measured by show ticket sales reaching 80% capacity. Since the all-musical seasons began, success of a production is measured against ticket sales being 95% or better.

Surveys also were distributed to teachers and guidance counselors following the tour of Tomato Plant Girl which relayed information on the efficacy of the anti-bullying classroom study guides and transfer of learning experienced by the students. This positive feedback resulted in the acclaimed tour to middle schools of the cyber bullying performance, The Secret Life of Girls.

Finally, anecdotal responses to a survey of parents of Broadway Boot Campers, helped Manatee Players decide to offer a second, Junior camp for younger participants, in order to prepare them for the rigors of Boot Camp. The summer of 2011 will be the second year that Junior Camp is an option. Every year, there has been a waiting list by May 1st to attend the Junior Camp in mid-June.

Applicant Accessibility

Question	Response
Does the applicant have policies and procedures (including a complaint process) that address non-discrimination on the basis of disability?	Yes
Does the applicant have a staff person that is responsible for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statutes 553?	Yes (Janene Witham)
Has the applicant completed the Section 504 Self Evaluation Workbook from the National Endowment for the Arts (linked) in the last 5 years?	Yes

Accessibility

In the 58 years since the Riverfront Theater was built for Manatee Players and declared "the most modern and beautiful theater in the Southeast", Manatee Players' staff, performers, audience size and productions have grown considerably.

Over the years, the physical structure has seen additions and renovations including the creation of office space, a technical booth and expanded restrooms. The size of the actual lot on which the building sits cannot host any more development. With that in mind, a serious effort began around the 50th anniversary of the structure to raise a new performing arts center 3 blocks east of the current location. It will be entirely wheelchair accessible for not only patrons but for cast and crew as well.

The current structure, however, has been changed more than once to allow for the ease of attendance for physically handicapped patrons and to meet ADA requirements. Ground level side exit doors from the House open before performances to allow entrance of wheelchairs and walkers. Seats have been removed from the back row of the House for placement of wheelchair-bound attendees. Restrooms have a handicap accessible stall.

Manatee Players invites sight-impaired community members to preview performances and reserves seats for them and their escorts in the front row. Manatee Players also prints a number of text-enlarged playbills for sight-impaired patrons of each show. Infra-red hearing devices are available at the box office before a performance. Each season Manatee Players attempts to produce one show that either projects the dialogue on their newly installed flat screen monitors to the right and left of the proscenium, provides a professional signer onstage or incorporates sign language into the musical numbers.

Manatee Players is submitting a booklet of support materials that include the following sections:

Cover Page
Table of Contents
501 (c) 3 Determination letter
Letters of Support-Congressman Vern Buchanan
-County Commissioner Dr. Gwen Brown
-Mayor Wayne Poston
-Council Woman Marianne Barnebey
-Adjudicator praise of competition
-Realize Bradenton Executive Director
Education/Community Outreach- The Secret Life of Girls
Festival of Trees
Summer Camp photos
State/Regional Competition Recognition
Print Recognition of Theatre Achievements
Capital Campaign New Building photos
Record of Incorporation
Evidence of Division of Cultural Affairs Support
In-Kind Contributors
Board of Directors
Organizational Flow Chart
Photos of performances from 2010-2011 season
In pocket--Knight Report, Capital Campaign Matching Gift brochure, Season playbill, Program from joint fundraiser with ArtCenter Manatee