Partners members don’t just visit Playhouse Square, they leave their legacy. Learn about the history of one of Cleveland’s longest running young professionals group with these ten interesting facts:
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Partners was founded in 1990 when former Playhouse Square President & CEO Larry Wilker asked nine individuals to “create the future.” Two years and many jello shots later, Playhouse Square Partners was born!
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The first Jump Back Ball was held on Saturday, February 29, 1992. The name “Jump Back Ball” is a play on Leap Day.
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Members love Playhouse Square so much that several of them have become RedCoats.
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In 2004, Partners Encore Society – previously known as Partners Leadership Society – was formed as a way to give members who give at higher donation levels more exclusive opportunities to experience Playhouse Square and network with local business leaders.
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Partners have always understood the importance of getting young people involved at Playhouse Square – including children! They have created programs and events to get young children inside the theaters, and are some of the biggest advocates for Playhouse Square’s children’s programming.
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Jump Back Ball sells out every year, but the event broke a record in 2012, selling out in 10 days!
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Over the years, four Partners members have graduated to serve on Playhouse Square’s Board of Trustees: Sara Stashower, Larry Hatch, Neil Weinberger, and Margy Judd.
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Partners have donated thousands of dollars in gift cards to the schools participating in the Disney Musicals in Schools program, helping them purchase costumes and set pieces for their productions. They’ve also shown their support to the teachers – who donate countless hours of their time to these productions – by providing them with care packages.
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The 25th Annual Jump Back Ball raised a record-breaking net income of more than $186,000. These funds, and the funds from every year, benefit Playhouse Square’s community engagement & education initiatives.
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Since its founding, Partners has raised more then $4.7 million for Playhouse Square’s education initiatives!
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