Acting authorities: The top 10 performances of 2011 | Theater | Creative Loafing Tampa

Acting authorities: The top 10 performances of 2011 | Theater | Creative Loafing Tampa

The 39 Steps, and an end of the year ask

We're so excited to see sales going so well for The 39 Steps, which opens on Jan. 12. We're almost 60% to our goal with weeks left to go. Shows are already selling out, and we've already held the show over through Feb. 5. We must close on that date, so make sure you get your tickets in advance for what is shaping up to be a gut-busting way to start off 2012. Katrina Stevenson has directed (and costumed) some of the areas best comedies over the years - from all of the (abridged) shows to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to What the Butler Saw. This time she's joined by the all-star cast of Matt Lunsford, Amy Gray, Brian Shea and Spencer Meyers. Resident designer Brian Smallheer offers sets and lights for scenes that cover everything from train chases to plane crashes. Complete information on the show at our website, JobsiteTheater.org.

With the end of the year upon us, we have a lot to be thankful for. For instance, in 2011 we've been able to triple our contributed income. This has not only allowed us to continue to work towards paying our artists a living wage, but has also allowed us to bring our paid administrative staff up to three. Just recently we have been able to carve out salaries for both our Technical Director and Online Producer. These folks have essentially been doing this work on a voluntary basis up to this point. I myself worked in this manner for close to ten year in my position of Producing Artistic Director.

There's always a snag though, right? We planned for 2012 based on an anticipated budget. Things sometimes change with the funds organizations have to distribute in the form of grants, which we have recently experienced. The initial budget we projected for 2012 is one that we believe in, and we're hoping to not have to alter it. In order to do that though, we have an immediate fundraising goal of $5,000. If we're able to raise that by Jan. 1, we're confident that we can move forward with our initial plan without compromise.

We've worked relentlessly for over a decade now to make sure that we are viable year in and year out, that our work is sustainable, and that our tickets remain affordable for a general public. We've been able to do this through the generosity of people like you, our audience. You are truly the foundation of Jobsite, and we hope that you might consider making a contribution today to our end of year goal so that we can continue to offer an artistic home in Tampa and an accessible, affordable, quality theater experience.

There are a few ways you can help.

Online: go to JobsiteTheater.org and click the "Give Directly through PayPal" button on the bottom right of the page. It's safe, easy to use and free.

Mail: checks may be sent payable to Jobsite Theater to P.O. Box 7975, Tampa, FL, 33673-7975.

$1 or $1,000 - every gift is meaningful. Because we hire exclusively local talent, the money you contribute stays in our local economy, making us all stronger. When an artist is paid a living wage, they can spend their time on one job - making great art - instead of shoehorning in as many part time gigs as they need to cover their living expenses. It's also fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

The other way that you can help is by becoming a season ticket holder. Season ticket holders not only help us fill seats, but provide important word-of-mouth support as the run progresses, increasing our chances of adding more shows - which brings us right back to allowing us to take better care of our artists. A season ticket for the remaining four shows in our 2011-12 lineup is on sale for $78.40 per person, a savings of 20% off our already low prices. Call 813.229.7827 between noon and 8pm to order. We have a flexible exchange policy, offer additional tickets at a discount, and you get in free to staged readings and other cool late night offerings.

Thanks again for your support. We don't exist without it.

I hope to see you all at The 39 Steps!