| Dear Friends, Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak has existed for 21 years as the home and support structure for my choreographic work. I created MS/MS because, as a young woman, I had something to say through movement in performance. My passion and commitment have evolved, deepened, been challenged and reconfirmed many times since 1994. You, the public I hope to serve, are never far from my mind and I am delighted that my current work is reaching people in meaningful, lasting ways. Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak endeavors to sustain a healthy simplicity in our operations. After all, the company was started as a way to organize my creative process under one "roof," not simply to be another company headed toward institutional status. We define growth broadly to mean not only increased financial resources, but also enhanced engagement with the work we're making and with the people we make it for. Remaining relatively small--in terms of budget size--has given us the adaptability to weather change and challenge. That said, we want to grow in all the ways that will enable us to truly make a difference through my work. That means dedicated time in the studio, moving ever closer to fair compensation for artists and collaborators, modest marketing costs, and meeting the expenses of producing my work. I know that the demands on your resources are many, and that worthy efforts abound. Please consider giving an amount that works for you. In turn, we will put your dollars to their most effective use, with immense gratitude for your decision to support us. Secure gifts can be made using the donate button on the right; all contributions are tax-deductible. With gratitude,
Molly Shanahan, Artistic Director Jane Koster, President
Dan Brescoll, Secretary
Kevin Simmons
Molly Shanahan
Michael Rogalski
Kristina Fluty Advocacy Network
Kate Fiello, Julianne Stephen Dieterich, CJ Mitchell Fundraising Consultation
Nora Woodman
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to become involved with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak's Board of Directors.
Molly Shanahan / Mad Shak is supported by Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Additional support comes from a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; and from generous individual contributions. The creation of The Delicate Hour was made possible, in large part, by support provided by Gerald and Darrell Greene, as well as Audience Architects' New Stages for Dance program. Leadership support for the New Stages for Dance Initiative is provided by MetLife Foundation and Dance/USA. Stamina of Curiosity is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation Fund project co-commissioned by Alverno Presents and Denison University and NPN. For more information, www.npnweb.org. My Name is a Blackbird is made possible through the support of Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and the Chicago Dancemakers Forum, a choreographer's development project led by the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Links Hall and an independent choreographer. The original scores created for My Name is a Blackbird are commissioned as part of a national series of works from Meet the Composer’s Commissioning Music/USA program, which is made possible by generous support from the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Francis Goelet Trust, the Helen F. Whitaker Fund, Target, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Eye Cycle is a 2003 co-commissioning project by Links Hall in partnership with Denison University and the National Performance Network Creation Fund. The Creation Fund is sponsored by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, Altria, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak is an Illinois nonprofit corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak is in residence at Berger Park through the Chicago Park District’s Arts Partners in Residence program, which unites artists and communities in Chicago’s parks. 
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