The Magical 25th Annual Make Believe Ball
By Susie Robinson
On March 2, 2019, the magic continued
as First Stage hosted its 25th Anniversary Make Believe Ball at the
Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Guests celebrated the past
success of this signature event and shared the excitement of what is yet to
come for First Stage. To commemorate this special anniversary, First Stage
welcomed old friends and new, and honored First Stage Founder, Rob Goodman and his wife, Mary, as well as
the Make Believe Ball Founders, Cathy and Mario Costantini, and Gretchen and
Chess Barbatelli.
 |
| Pictured right to left: Mario and Cathy Costantini, Chess Barbatelli, and Rob Goodman |
“Returning to Milwaukee this March
was so very, very special to me in every way. Attending the 25th Annual Make
Believe Ball would have been special enough, but being able to visit with my
First Stage family went way beyond expectation. To stand on the stage with the
very special people who originated the Make Believe Ball tradition was the very
best experience. Visiting, catching up with old friends, seeing all the new
First Stage families made it a memorable and special evening.
 |
| Rob and Mary Goodman with their granddaughters |
Families enjoyed a special
evening with kids’ activities, large silent auction, live auction, dinner,
and a special anniversary program celebrating First Stage and Goodman.
 |
| Twenty-three young performers serenade Rob Goodman |
The
anniversary program was created by Jeff Schaetzke, First Stage Director of
Artistic Operations and featured 23 Young Performers and First Stage Alumni.
During the performance, students first sang MATILDA THE MUSICAL’s “When I Grow
Up” to Goodman and then filled the dining room singing DEAR EVAN HANSEN’s “You
Will Be Found,” accompanied by a video highlighting 25 years of First Stage and
its Alumni’s accomplishments.
 |
| The Goldstein Family, photo by Paul Ruffolo Photography |
“Our favorite event of the
year is the Make Believe Ball! We’ve attended for 11 years and still counting.
It’s the only premier gala where you can bring your entire family and there’s
something special for everyone. We love connecting with old friends and new,
the youth performance is breathtaking, the kids have a blast, and we dance the
night away. It’s a truly magical evening!” – The Goldstein Family
This year’s Make Believe Ball surpassed our fundraising record, and
raised $205,000—through
sponsorship, live and silent auctions, donation appeal, raffle, and various
smaller fundraisers throughout the evening. Proceeds
directly support First Stage’s mission of touching hearts and transforming
lives, providing professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten, and
entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills
through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote
active learning in our schools and community.
First Stage’s 25th Annual Make Believe Ball in Numbers:
Thank you to our all of our volunteers, committee members, and generous
sponsors who made the magic happen at this year’s Make Believe Ball!
Gold Sponsor:
Baird - ECAB Group
Silver Sponsors:
AO Smith
Fiduciary Management, Inc.
KPMG
Northwestern Mutual
Bronze Sponsors:
Associated
Bank
Foley &
Lardner LLP
Godfrey
& Kahn, S.C.
Hupy and
Abraham, S.C.
Johnson
Controls
Marcus
Hotels & Resorts
PNC
Sargento
Foods Inc.
U.S. Bank
Private Wealth Management
We Energies
Family Sponsors:
The Corry
Family
The Esten
Family
The Field
Family
The Guy
Family
The Hirano
Family
The Kramer
Family
The Orr
Family
Special Thanks to:
The Bailey
Team - Shorewest Realtors
Beechwood
Sales and Services
Lisa and Darren Boyce
Cathy and Mario Costantini
Ogletree
Deakins
Essam Elsafy
- Shorewest Realtors
Adrienne and John Grunau
Kathleen and Scott Penniston
Paul Ruffolo
Photography
Kendra Scott
Kristin and Chuck Severson
The Family
of Rachel Young
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