"Lead Bank is the best bank for me because they understand the local arts community and have taken the time to get to know me as a person too." - Heidi Van, Founder and Producing Artistic Director. Client since December 2018.

Heidi Van is an actor, creator and producer of contemporary experimental live theatre. She will soon move the well-known Fishtank Theatre to The Black Box. Heidi met Josh Rowland, CEO of Lead Bank, about six years ago at the UMKC Block School during an entrepreneurship class presentation. At that time, Heidi was sharing her Fishtank Theatre business plan with lcoal business executives. Josh was very supportive of her theatre concept. He sensed her passion about wanting to make private theatre work in Kansas City and ultimately told her to "stick to her guns and forge her own path." Josh and Heidi continued to talk from time to time over the next several years and even invited Heidi to produce Lead Bank's Block Party, which she art-directed with ingenuity, creativity and energy. Heidi appreciated how Josh supported her as an artist, and Josh was grateful she was making a difference in the local arts community. 

At the beginning of the year, Heidi realized that she had a new opportunity to expand and move the Fishtank Theatre to a new location. Heidi is starting a theatre complex in the West Bottoms. The Black Box will host multiple stages and serve liquor during performances. Based on Heidi and Lead Bank's shared goal of enhancing Kansas City arts, Heidi turned to Lead Bank to help her finance her latest project.

www.fishtanktheatre.com 

1060 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101

816-809-7110

Pictured above: Heidi Van