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The Des Moines Playhouse Future Stages Society

Gifts to make sure the curtain will ALWAYS go up at The Playhouse

A great play can touch your soul or give you a much-needed belly laugh. A great class can unleash the imagination or discover hidden talent. Here at The Playhouse, we have been putting on great plays for eight decades. You can join the Future Stages Society by including The Playhouse in your will or estate plans. With your help, we can make sure the curtain goes up for another 85 years.

You don't need to be rich to leave a lasting legacy. You can provide for your heirs, gain important tax benefits, and even receive an income now by making a thoughtful planned gift.

Examples of planned gifts include:

• A Bequest in Your Will
  Writing or changing your will is easy and ensures that the people and places you love will be taken care of in the future. Simple bequest language can designate a specific amount, a percentage, or the remainder of your estate to the Theatre. The size of your taxable estate will be reduced, perhaps making it possible for your heirs to actually receive more of your estate.
• Gift of Retirement Plan Assets
  Retirement plan assets may include a gift of an individual retirement account (IRA), 401(k), 403(b), or Keogh plan. Transferring assets to The Playhouse may avoid both income and estate taxes.
• Gift of Life Insurance Policy
  Name The Playhouse as an owner or beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy or purchase a new policy to benefit the Theatre.
• Gifts with Retained Income
  There are a number of methods of giving that can provide you or your loved ones with immediate income along with current and future tax savings. In an uncertain economy, these types of gifts can be valuable tools for managing your assets and annual income.

Leaves Legacy

Why is it important to notify The Playhouse of your planned gift? Letting us know you have made a planned gift helps us better understand your dreams for The Playhouse's future, and gives us the chance to thank you now. Most importantly, your gift may inspire others.

Future Stages Members

• Lloyd Von Hagen has a long history with The Playhouse. In fact, he is our official Historian. "The Playhouse: now that's real theatre to me," he says, his eyes sparkling. "After all the time and fun we've invested here, it only makes sense to name The Playhouse in our estate plans."
• Allison Engel is a former president of The Playhouse board, now living in California. She has named The Playhouse as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy. "The Playhouse is small enough that a gift of $10,000 can make a huge difference, as opposed to a big institution where it's just a drop in the bucket."
• Martha Miller: Fred Miller was a Des Moines native and East High School graduate who began his acting career on The Playhouse stage alongside another famous Playhouse alum, Cloris Leachman. After serving in World War II, Miller went to New York City, where his Broadway credits included Inherit the Wind, Oliver! and 110 in the Shade. Fred met his wife, Martha, at Carnegie Tech and together they produced summer stock theatre in Somerset, MA, as well as performing with companies around the country. Fred died in January 2000, but his memory will live through a bequest Martha has arranged in her will. "Fred always had such gratitude and love for The Playhouse," she says. "Now his memory can live on there forever."
• Dick Brown: With the honorary title of "oldest Playhouse volunteer," Dick has been a member of The Playhouse family since he debuted on our stage in The Mad Woman of Chaillot. Now a "snowbird," he has used his Playhouse experience to direct theatre in Mesa, AZ. Back at home in Des Moines, Dick has volunteered in the box office and is even transplanting some hastas to improve The Playhouse grounds. By including the theatre in his will, Dick has ensured that the curtain will always go up at The Playhouse.

For more detailed information about:

• Making a gift of Retirement Plan Assets or Life Insurance Policy
• Making a gift that provides income now: Charitable Gift Annuity/Charitable Remainder Trust
• Making a gift of real estate
• Attending a wills/estate planing workshop

contact Rod McCullough, managing director/director of development, at 515-974-5353, toll-free 1-877-862-5621 ext. 207.

Requests for information are confidential and do not imply an obligation.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Planned Giving Hollywood Halloween 2005