Industry Press / 03.03.20
TDF names Whitney Estrin as Director of Development
New York, New York – March 03, 2020. TDF (aka Theatre Development Fund), one of the country's foremost not-for-profit service organizations for the performing arts, has announced that Whitney Estrin will assume the post of Director of Development. The announcement was made by TDF’s Executive Director, Victoria Bailey. Ms. Estrin, who will assume her duties on April 1, is being promoted from the position of Deputy Director of Development she currently holds at TDF. She came to TDF in 2017 having been the Director of Development at Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn.
Commenting on Ms. Estrin, Victoria (Tory) Bailey, said: “I am delighted that Whitney will be expanding her role at TDF by stepping into the position of Director of Development. She succeeds Anne Trites, who has retired as TDF’s Director of Development, and I look forward to continuing to work with Whitney as we strengthen and expand philanthropic support for TDF’s vital programs. This is an exciting time at TDF and Ms. Estrin’s contributions to our future will be significant.”
On assuming the directorship, Ms. Estrin said: "I’m excited to lead TDF’s development effort, continuing to grow contributed revenue to support the company’s myriad engagement, education and access programs. TDF is an incredible organization, making theatre and dance accessible to hundreds of thousands each year, and I look forward to continue working to expand its reach.”
Ms. Estrin has been a key part of TDF’s fundraising activities during her tenure as Deputy Director, supporting a 27% increase in contributed income and launching several new initiatives. Prior to her engagement at TDF she was the Director of Development at Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn. While at TFANA, Ms. Estrin was key in increasing funds raised annually by $1M after the opening of the Polonsky Shakespeare Center. Whitney began her career in Philadelphia where she worked with the Arden Theatre Company, Theatre Exile and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She has also worked with Seattle Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where she managed the launch and private phase of a $7 million capital campaign to open their new support facility. Among other related activities, she is Board Chair for Emotive Fruition, a collective of poets and actors; teaches grant writing and Board engagement through A.R.T./New York, where she is also a Harold & Mimi Steinberg Theatre Leadership Program Consultant and is a member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals—New York City Chapter. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Drew University and an M.F.A. in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama.
ABOUT TDF:
TDF is a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone. Founded in 1968, TDF’s mission is to sustain live theatre and dance by engaging and cultivating a broad and diverse audience and eliminating barriers to attendance. TDF fulfills its mission with a variety of programs that expand access, cultivate communities and support the makers of the performing arts. Best known for its theatregoing programs (including the TKTS by TDF Discount Booths and TDF Membership Programs), TDF’s accessibility (including open captioned, audio described and autism-friendly performances), school (serving over 12,000 New York City students annually), community engagement and information programs — as well as the TDF Costume Collection Rental and Research Programs — have introduced millions of people to the theatre and helped make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone. TDF envisions a world where the transformative experience of attending live theatre and dance is essential, relevant, accessible and inspirational. To learn more about TDF, go to: www.tdf.org.
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