The following press release was sent to The Bloomingtonian Monday:
“The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Announces the Audrey Heller Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Fund, dedicated to securing the future of JTBFOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2021
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington (JTB) announces a new fundraising initiative aimed at solidifying the future of the organization. In honor of JTB’s Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Audrey Heller, JTB has launched the Audrey Heller Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Fund. Thanks to a generous donor, all donations are being matched one to one, up to the first $100K. The fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, is aimed at supporting the salary of a new Artistic Director once Audrey retires.
Currently, in its 16th season, the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington has been built from the ground up. Co-founded by Audrey Heller in 2005, the theatre is dedicated to producing plays that both illuminate Jewish experiences and touch on universal human themes. Starting with a few staged readings a year, JTB has grown to produce two full-length, high-level productions per season, becoming one of the best Jewish theatres in the country and the ONLY one in Indiana.
The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington now faces a crucial challenge. Audrey Heller, who has been the lynchpin of JTB for all these years, has indicated that she will retire from her JTB post sometime in the next few years. Replacing her will be a challenge, not only because she has been the driving force of JTB but she has served both full-time and unpaid all these years. JTB cannot expect someone to do everything she has done on a volunteer basis.
Fortunately, a wonderful donor has stepped into the breach and has generously offered to contribute a $100K match over the next three years into a JTB Future Fund dedicated to support a successor to Audrey. To ensure the continuation of the company, the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington is asking its supporters and the community to contribute to this fund to help solidify the organization’s future. All gifts will help JTB honor Audrey’s legacy, her work, and talents.
The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington has created this fund for the future and is investing through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, affirming its status as a community resource and partner. Donations can be made online by visiting the Community Foundation’s website (cfbmc.org) or via mail. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be made directly through the Community Foundation. Gifts can be made in the form of pledges over three years or given via IRA Charitable Gift, Stock, Estate planning, and more. To learn more about this fund and how to contribute, visit www.jewishtheatrebloomington.com/audrey-heller-fund.For questions or concerns regarding contributions, please contact the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington’s Treasurer, Deb Allmayer at [email protected].
Press Contact: Cassie Hakken, [email protected].”
