South Bay Musical Theatre | Noteworthy Entertainment

Fundraising

California Recognizes Performing Arts as Essential

By |2026-07-01T12:01:52-07:00July 1st, 2026|2026-2027 Season, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

This week, Governor Newsom signed California’s 2026-2027 state budget, which includes $12 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF). While that falls far short of the $40 million arts advocates have been encouraging lawmakers to invest, it remains an important commitment to California’s arts workforce and recognition that the performing arts are essential civic infrastructure. Thank you to everyone who called or wrote a letter of support to your local legislators to help get this initiative funded. The arts are not separate from California’s future. They are integral to everything we do and everything we aspire to be. [...]

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What Do You Need?

By |2026-06-19T18:08:58-07:00June 19th, 2026|Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

When I’m chatting with you in the lobby before a show, during intermission having a snack, or immediately afterwards when you’re still aglow from experiencing an outstanding performance, these are some of the questions you’ve asked recently regarding donations:  “What do you need?”  “How much should I be giving?” “How much do people normally give?” “What is the best way to help?” “What is the right amount?" Such deeply personal questions, ones I ask myself regularly. With so much need in the world, I do not take lightly that you’ve decided SBMT is worth supporting and investing in. You’ve told [...]

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The Arts Are Essential Infrastructure

By |2026-05-19T15:43:43-07:00May 19th, 2026|Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

Funding The State’s Creative Economy Strategic Plan Last Thursday, I drove up to Sacramento to represent SBMT at the presentation of the 2026 Creative Economy Strategic Plan with Senators Ben Allen and Susan Rubio. The California Joint Committee of the Arts is requesting $50 million for the California Arts Council to expand local assistance grants that empower communities through the arts and $40 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) to ensure fair pay across the creative workforce. California’s economy is increasingly powered by innovation and creativity. Yet the artists, educators, performers, and nonprofit organizations that fuel that [...]

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Full Speed Ahead

By |2026-04-29T12:38:01-07:00April 24th, 2026|2026-2027 Season, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

At last weekend’s On the 20th Century fundraising concert, in a theater filled with glorious music, tap dancing, and riotous laughter, we asked a simple question: Where do you want to go with us? You answered clearly: full speed ahead! Thanks to a $6,000 matching fund from Friends of SBMT, your generosity didn’t just meet the moment; it pushed us beyond our goal. Together, you gave over $7,000, unlocking the full match and bringing the total raised to over $13,000. That support helps fund our live orchestra, set construction, artist stipends, and much more. We are deeply grateful to everyone [...]

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The Cost of Live Theatre: Part 2

By |2026-04-10T11:38:49-07:00April 10th, 2026|2026-2027 Season, Announcements, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

by Michael Paul Hirsch, Executive Director Summary: Ticket prices are going up starting next fall, and we want you to understand why: It's to better align us with reality and the actual cost of producing live musical theatre in today's world. (Note: Season subscriptions save you up to 25% if you are budget conscious).  Back in November, we answered one of the questions from our community about what it costs to run a theatre company. We outlined a high-level breakdown of SBMT’s revenue and expenses. We received several follow-up questions asking if we could continue the series and provide more [...]

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All Aboard for a Rare Ride

By |2026-03-03T13:02:57-08:00March 3rd, 2026|2025-2026 Season, Behind The Scenes, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

Why We’re Bringing On the Twentieth Century to Life in Concert by Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director Every season, I ask myself a simple question: What is the kind of musical experience our community deserves—but rarely gets? Sometimes the answer is a beloved classic. And sometimes it’s a glittering, madcap jewel that almost never sees the light of day. This year, that answer is On the Twentieth Century—a musical as bold, theatrical, and extravagantly funny as the train on which it is set South Bay Musical Theatre is presenting On the Twentieth Century as our annual fundraiser concert because it [...]

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Saying Thank You to the South Bay Musical Theatre Community

By |2025-11-26T15:07:26-08:00November 26th, 2025|2018-19 Season, 2025-2026 Season, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

By Ann Lucena, SBMT Board Vice Chairperson During this Thanksgiving week, all of us at South Bay Musical Theatre want to take this opportunity to convey our deep gratitude to you. Whether you are a regular patron coming to enjoy our productions, a donor who generously supports our organization, a volunteer helping us behind the scenes, a performer gracing our stage, or another member of our community, we are grateful for you! Your contributions help our theatre company thrive. SBMT is the wonderful treasure that it is thanks to you. From the joy of Broadway By The Decade, to the [...]

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The Cost of Live Theatre

By |2025-11-03T16:34:01-08:00November 3rd, 2025|2025-2026 Season, Behind The Scenes, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion|

by Michael Paul Hirsch, Executive Director I occasionally like to post answers to questions asked from the community. You can always ask your question using this convenient anonymous form. This question came in the other week: “I think it would open a lot of eyes and maybe inspire a few more donations to have a blog outlining all the costs associated with putting on a show and what percentage of ticket sales cover those costs. I don't think many of our patrons know we pay our musicians, creative staff, the cost of show royalties, etc.” I am frequently asked about [...]

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Happy Halloweeding

By |2025-10-14T17:03:49-07:00October 14th, 2025|2018-19 Season, 2025-2026 Season, Blog-erviews!, Fundraising, Opinion, Photos|

Special event breathes new life into old costumes by Michael Paul Hirsch, Executive Director Hundreds of costumes have found new life after last Saturday’s Great Costume Give-Away, and we could not be happier! This event was an opportunity for SBMT to reduce our large inventory of costumes accumulated over many years of productions and see they get a good home, while also raising funds through generous donations to help underwrite the amazing shows we have in store for you during the 2025-2026 season and beyond. Almost a hundred people came to visit our rehearsal studio/costume storage in San Jose to [...]

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Family Giving Tree is designated charity for Mary Poppins

By |2024-05-08T16:21:12-07:00May 6th, 2024|2023-2024 Season, Announcements, Fundraising|

SBMT is excited to partner with Family Giving Tree (FGT) as our designated charity for Mary Poppins by sponsoring a backpack and back-to-school supply drive. Nearly half (46%) of households in the Bay Area struggle to meet all of their needs and many students go to school without the basic tools and supplies they need to learn and be successful. FGT, with community support from sponsors like SBMT, brings equity to the classroom and offers hope through backpacks filled with school supplies. While many are already looking forward to summer vacation, FGT is already busy ramping up to find enough school supplies and backpacks so [...]

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