The Next Stage Fund

Because what we build next depends on you! Help fuel new productions, amplifiy arts education, and keep Sanford’s creative community rising.

Theater West End is stepping into its most transformative chapter yet. As Sanford’s arts community continues to rise, we’re ready to grow alongside it — expanding our spaces, strengthening our education programs, and building the long-term stability our mission deserves. The Next Stage Fund is a focused year-end campaign that fuels this growth and positions us for a strong and sustainable 2026.

Your support helps us make meaningful, lasting improvements that will elevate the work we do onstage, backstage, and throughout our community.

Our Campaign Initiatives

INITIATIVE #1

TRANSFORMING OUR STUDIO INTO A BLACKBOX THEATER

We’re reimagining our studio space as a flexible, intimate blackbox venue — a home for new works, small productions, workshops, student showcases, and community events.

This transformation expands our artistic capacity and creates new revenue opportunities that strengthen our long-term sustainability.

INITIATIVE #2

LAUNCHING A DAYTIME PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

We’re expanding West End Prep into a daytime program that provides structured, year-round training in acting, voice, dance, and technical theater.

This program fills a major arts-education gap in our region and creates a stable, mission-aligned source of ongoing revenue. It also ensures more young performers have access to the tools, support, and creative space they need to thrive.

INITIATIVE #3

OVERHAULING OUR PROP, COSTUME & SET STORAGE

Behind-the-scenes improvements matter. By restructuring and fully organizing our storage systems, we’ll prevent duplicate purchases, reduce long-term production costs, preserve and protect our existing materials, and create a new rental-based revenue stream for the theater.

A cleaner, smarter storage system strengthens every production we create—and helps us operate more efficiently.

Why This Matters

These projects don’t just elevate our artistic work—they build the foundation we need to operate sustainably. They enable increased programming, stronger education offerings, reduced expenses, and the ability to responsibly expand our staff so we can continue our mission with excellence.

Help us keep telling stories, growing artists, and creating a space where Sanford’s creative community continues to rise.

You Can Help Build What’s Next

Your gift today helps us reach our goal, transform our spaces, and strengthen the future of Theater West End. Every contribution — large or small — brings us one step closer to the next stage.

Our Goal

$25,000

GIVING TIERS

  • Visionaries

    $2,500 & UP

    Your leadership fuels the blackbox transformation and the expansion of our education programs!

    BENEFITS

    ⇢ Name on the Studio Wall (primary placement)

    ⇢ Theater cocktail table name plaque (first choice)

    ⇢ MainStage Season Tickets for 2 (2026)

    ⇢ 4 Blackbox tickets

    ⇢ Full TWE Merch Bundle: magnet, mug, shirt

    ⇢ VIP Blackbox Ribbon-Cutting Invitation

    ⇢ Listing in every 2026 program

    DONATE

  • Legacy Builders

    $1,000 & UP

    Invest in long-term arts education and community programming.

    BENEFITS

    ⇢ Name on the Studio Wall (secondary placement)

    ⇢ Theater cocktail table name plaque (second choice)

    ⇢ 4 Blackbox tickets

    ⇢ TWE Merch Pack: magnet, mug, shirt

    ⇢ VIP Blackbox Ribbon-Cutting Invitation

    ⇢ Listing in every 2026 program

    DONATE

  • Innovators

    $500 & UP

    Support classroom upgrades, student access, and early programming in the blackbox.

    BENEFITS

    ⇢ Name on the Studio Wall

    ⇢ 2 Blackbox tickets

    ⇢ TWE Merch Pack: magnet, mug, shirt

    ⇢ VIP Blackbox Ribbon-Cutting Invitation

    ⇢ Listing in every 2026 program

    DONATE

  • Rising Artists Circle

    $250 & UP

    Help the next generation of Sanford performers rise and thrive.

    BENEFITS

    ⇢ TWE Merchandise: magnet + mug

    ⇢ VIP Blackbox Ribbon-Cutting Invitation

    ⇢ Listing in every 2026 program

    DONATE

  • Friends of Theater West End

    $100 & UP

    Support the community’s home for live arts, growth, and creativity.

    BENEFITS

    ⇢ TWE magnet

    ⇢ Listing in every 2026 program

    DONATE

  • Custom Gift

    ANY AMOUNT

    Support the Next Stage Fund with a gift of any amount. Every dollar helps build our new Blackbox Theater and expand education programs at Theater West End.

    Any custom gifts will also receive the benefits for the corresponding giving tier, as applicable.

    DONATE