Imagination Stage Receives Its Biggest Donation Yet

Imagination Stage recently received $2.5 million—the most significant donation in the theater's history—from local arts philanthropists Jim and Carol Trawick, according to a theater news release.

The donation—Phase One of Imagination Stage’s "Campaign to Secure the Future"—allows the theater to close the outstanding debt on its arts and education center, the news release stated.

On Nov. 23, Carol Trawick will unveil a new sign for the arts center, which will be named after the Trawicks. Imagination Stage staff, students and supporters, including Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Catherine Leggett, will attend the event.

"The Imagination Stage community is delighted to name our building after Jim and Carol Trawick," Imagination Stage founder and Executive Director Bonnie Fogel said.

"The Trawicks have been involved in the Imagination story almost from the beginning and stepped in at a critical time in our history to ensure our financial stability. More than this, Carol Trawick has played a huge part in the development of Bethesda through her work on the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber, the Bethesda Urban District, and her nurturing of the Bethesda Arts District. This is a lasting monument to her dedication to Imagination Stage and to the Bethesda arts community, which she has nurtured and upheld since its conception," Fogel added.

Imagination Stage (at 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda) is a nonprofit organization that works to inspire creativity in children through theater and arts education programs.

The theater's 2013-2014 season’s shows include the upcoming all-new musical comedy Lyle the Crocodile (Nov. 20 to Jan. 10), Rumpelstiltskin (Feb. 5 to March 16), Cinderella: the Remix (April 9 to May 25) and The BFG (June 25 to Aug. 10).