Executive Summary

Riding the Resurgent Wave of Live Community Theater

Vibrant Community Theater strengthens local culture and attracts business

Few organizations have proven to offer greater growth, value, and positive cultural influence than an active and successful community theater, especially those that cater to the largest possible cross-section of community member involvement. A thriving community theater is a key component for community growth and development.

The future of Community Theater in our area is unclear and tenuous at best. While CSTOCK has made significant inroads in its 20+ year history, it has been hindered by inadequate resources and facilities. In order for live community theater to continue to grow and flourish, a stronger vision and effort must be coordinated.

No organization is in better position for casting a powerful vision and determining a solid plan of action than CSTOCK. Building on over 20 years of proven success, CSTOCK is poised and ready to forge the new frontier for our community theater and lead it onto greater heights of success!

There is a substantial lack of quality, family-oriented entertainment venues here in Kitsap County. In addition, there are even fewer community organizations that offer safe, fun, and affordable opportunities for personal growth and development. Involvement in Community Theater can have a lasting positive impact in the lives of its members, regardless of age.

CSTOCK is committed to becoming the premiere Theatrical Performing Arts Organization in the Western Puget Sound. A significant amount of work has been underway for the past year to move the current Board of Directors into more of a governance body. In addition, the first full-time employee for CSTOCK, our Artistic Director, was recently hired. But the real strength of CSTOCK lies in the talent and dedication of its large and impressive core of volunteers, comprised of gifted directors, actors, musicians, choreographers, technicians, stage hands, servers, students, parents, etc.

CSTOCK's future growth and success will be achieved through our relentless passion for performing excellence, equipping and fostering individual talents and abilities, and by providing our valued audiences with the highest quality productions. Quality performances that provide higher entertainment value will command greater demand and larger audiences.

The CSTOCK Board of Directors is comprised of a highly dedicated and diverse collection of local professionals, each uniquely skilled for providing direction and leadership for the future growth and development of CSTOCK. Many of them have experienced first-hand the value and benefits of participating in local community theater.

We are asking for community residents and local area businesses to partner with us and become an active, contributing part of our growth and success. In order to reach our aggressive goals for the future, we will need to greatly increase our base of volunteers and direct their involvement into one of 10 primary operational departments. We will be soliciting the financial support of strategic Corporate Sponsors within Kitsap County to help underwrite the costs of our 5 annual season productions in exchange for a variety of promotional considerations. And, the soon-to-be-created 'Friends of CSTOCK' will provide an opportunity for private individuals and organizations to make 'tax-deductible' contributions to further our efforts.

As the curtain of opportunity rises, what will be your involvement? What part will you play in the future success and growth of CSTOCK?

Organizational Description

Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap, dba CSTOCK, is Central Kitsap’s community theatre. CSTOCK boasts a rich history of dedicated volunteers who have grown this Nonprofit 501(c)3 organization to a performing arts asset for all Kitsap County residents.

Founded by Artistic Director Dennis L. South, CSTOCK presented its first musical production in December 1986. Since that time, over 60 musical theatre productions have been offered to the Kitsap County community. Each production is supported by as many as 100 volunteers, participating in all aspects of theatre production and performance; half of these volunteers for any production are young people. Each production brings forth new volunteers to be included in the operation. On-the-job training is provided to adults and increasingly to youth of the community, both on- and offstage. Adult volunteers pass their knowledge of technical equipment on to young people, who work in the light booth, backstage crew, or wherever help is needed.

With the departure of the founding director in 1991, opportunities were made available to aspiring directors and musical directors from the local community, many of them for the first time. In July 1995, for the first time the annual children's production of Narnia was directed by 18-year-old Jennifer Parker, who was joined by 19-year-old Chad Rogers directing the vocal and instrumental music. Miss Parker again directed the 1996 summer children's production of Once Upon A Mattress. In the spring of 1997, CSTOCK offered a world premier production of an original stage adaptation of the children's book Pollyanna, written and directed by local playwright Sue Pargman, who also wrote the lyrics.

CSTOCK has consistently offered opportunities for the young people of our community not only to perform on stage after competitive auditions, but also to perform in the orchestra pit. Increasingly, young people are requesting the opportunity to learn stage management, light design and operation, orchestra direction, and set design and construction. The Summer Children’s Workshop has allowed for many Kitsap youth to participate in, and learn about all aspects of theater. It also offers Director in Training opportunity to six youth. Various other classes and workshops are offered each year. CSTOCK is also proud of a very active Student Committee.

Each year the Laura Sullivan/CSTOCK Memorial Scholarship is awarded to youth in the community with demonstrated commitment to musical comedy theatre. This year marked the eighth annual scholarship presentation, and is underwritten primarily by the Sullivan family as a memorial to their daughter who was a CSTOCK performer before her untimely death. CSTOCK also awards the Ray Abundis Technical Scholarship to youth in the community who demonstrate significant production contributions to theater.

Values Statements

Vision Statement

To be the premier Theatrical Performing Arts Organization in the West Puget Sound.

Mission Statement

Provide quality community-oriented entertainment.

Provide educational opportunities for all ages.

Provide a significant positive cultural influence.