THE EDUCATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION (Beneficiary) The Educational Theatre Foundation was launched in November of 2017 as the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, which is the home of the International Thespian Society. ETF provides essential financial support to enhance excellence in theatre education and to expand access to school theatre programs for every child, putting them on a more positive life path. ETF is focused on three areas: JumpStart Theatre, to create sustainable musical theatre programs where there previously were none; need-based grants to schools, to provide teaching and performance resources and equipment in under-resourced schools; and merit and need-based grants to individuals, to nurture the next generation of theatre teachers and artists. In its first year, ETF awarded more than $650,000 in grants, directly impacting high school theatre programs in 50 cities, and enabling the development of musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools in six states.
JULIE COHEN THEOBALD is the executive director of the Educational Theatre Association and president of the Educational Theatre Foundation. She has a lifelong involvement in theatre and 20 years of business, marketing, and management experience. She ranked in the Top 50 Marketers in the U.S. awarded by Advertising Age in 2005. In 1997, Julie started at Procter and Gamble in the new business development group on the national launch of Febreze. Febreze grew to $150 million sales in its first year, ranking it in the top 10 new products of the 1990s. She spent six years in the laundry category, where she was brand manager for Tide detergent, comprising over $2 billion in sales. She led Tide to the fastest growth in its 60-year history, launching two new products that ranked in the top 10 launches of the year.
At the Educational Theatre Association, Julie serves more than 5,000 theatre educators and 130,000 student members of the International Thespian Society with programs that strengthen theatre in the school setting. She has grown the organization more than 50% since taking the helm in 2011 and forged key partnerships with the theatre industry in New York City and advocacy leaders in Washington, D.C. Julie holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in business economics and marketing, and a B.A. from Duke University in public policy. She is a wife and mother, is active in Cincinnati community theatre as an actor, director, and producer, and serves on the board of trustees of the Cincinnati Arts Association.
EDUCATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION STAFF
Julie Cohen Theobald, President
Marion F. Combs, Vice President of Development
Sheri Coker, Finance Director
Sandra Lundgren, Director, Marketing and Communications
Ashley Kruger, Marketing and Communications Manager
Hans Weichhart, Event Producer
Lori Valentine, Program Director
Ginny Butsch, Program Manager
Cait Bothwell, Development Associate
