NOVEMBER 2009

DEAR FRIENDS:

Happy birthday to us! As our 50th year draws to a close, we urge you to attend the free exhibits and events celebrating our history of "Engagement, Commitment and Fresh Air" at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the San Francisco Main Library, and UC Davis. Top it all off by joining us at our combination Holiday Party/ Birthday Bash on Thursday, December 10th at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts - an evening of toasts, roasts, visits from favorite SFMT characters and more. To learn more click here!

Last November, as we planned our 50th celebrations, history was made. The people voted, the promise of change filled us all with hope, and the world cheered. A year later, change has come but not as hoped. In stunned disbelief we became victims of a global Ponzi scheme that rewarded the perpetrators with bailouts and bonuses. Hope has turned to despair as millions lose jobs, homes and health care. Wars still kill. Big Insurance strengthens its death grip on America while Congress exercises its rhetoric, and the public's options fade away.

Stimulus money reached some arts groups, but most - including the Mime Troupe - were left shortchanged. Even private foundations were fleeced and pieces of the shrinking pie got even smaller. We survived the Troupe's 50th year with our usual fiscal prudence (perhaps the only matter in which we could be called "conservative!") and a successful show that went right to the heart of the matter. In Too Big To Fail we chose not just to blame the bankers, but to challenge that dysfunctional part in each of us that makes us want more than we actually need.

2010, the first of our next 50 years, will be our biggest challenge yet. All of our long-time major funders are victims of the failing economy, and have been drastically reduced; the most recent news is that the NEA's annual contribution has been cut by a whopping 40%. With revenues down and expenses likely to grow, our collective eye is on exploring new, less costly ways to transport ourselves and our message, such as broadcasting simulcasts of live performances, streaming videos and perhaps creating our own SFMT-V. The possibilities are endless, and we hope to be able to realize some of them in the coming year. After all, the times of greatest difficulty also often prove to be those of the greatest innovation.

But innovation alone will not close the impending funding gap. Individual donors have a long tradition of suiting up & showing up for the Mime Troupe - the company quite literally owes its longevity to this tremendous grassroots support – and we return again to ask you this great favor. As we begin this challenging 51st year, now more than ever, we need your support. Understanding that times are indeed tough for everyone, please help us with a donation suitable to your means.


Please make a donation of $45, $75, $100, $250 or more to support the ongoing antics of the San Francisco Mime Troupe!

Thanks for making it all happen, and here's to the next 50 years!

- The San Francisco Mime Troupe