off-stage right

Times are tough and everyone is worried about what is coming next, but the board at BoarsHead Theater in Michigan has taken a step that might or might not be the start of a trend.  My thoughts on this later in the post.

I found this article through that wonderful resource American Theatre Web.  The article was from Encore Michigan website which is a new on-line publication for Michigan’s professional theater scene (bravo to them for starting the site especially since I probably never would have seen this story otherwise) BoarsHead board cites loss of donations as reason for Thatcher firing by Bridgette M. Redman:

Lansing’s BoarsHead Theater, one of three professional Michigan theaters this month to announce the termination of its top artistic executive, is restructuring its organization to proceed without an artistic director and with a more active board.

This is the opening paragraph of the above cited article.  First thought was what is more worrisome – no artistic leadership or “a more active board.”   Citing the loss of income from foundations and the ANTICIPATED loss of other contributed revenue, the board decided not to renew A.D. Kristine Thatcher’s contract. Second thought, so they haven’t lost the money yet and they think tearing the organization apart will help, hmm…  I said to myself don’t be judgmental keep reading, maybe there is some new artistic structure they are entertaining, under the leadership of the Executive Director John Dale Smith who is sticking with the organization.  So I kept reading.

The theatre’s attendance is down, a major foundation donating 50K a year has ended funding (clear reason not given but subtext is that is more about the economy than the theatre itself), subscriptions down and sponsorships down – so BoarsHead is like many if not most theatres across the country, so why the drastic restructure I wonder, hmm…

[Board Chair Larry Meyer, a former Lansing city council member and retired CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association] also pointed out that while the 2008-2009 season made money, with a projected profit of $22,488, that was due to two significant one-time gifts from Jackson National and Meijer.

According to a financial audit filed with the city, BoarsHead’s net assets grew from a deficit of $63,288 in 2007 to a surplus of $13,305 as of June 30, 2008, a trend that continues a deficit reduction that has been steady since Thatcher’s arrival in 2005. Their cash balance increased from $79,927 as of June 30, 2007 to $182,281 as of June 30, 2008.

However, ticket sales dropped from $330,731 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 to $280,692 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. While Meyer was unable to confirm whether ticket sales figures were up or down for 2008-2009, he did say they were below expectations. In 2008, the shortfall in ticket sales was made up with $116,477 in increased contributions.

Huh?  The headline seemed to imply lower donations were the issues but the above seems to conflict with that and suggests lower box office but it is difficult to use a two year comparison for a real analysis.  And “below expectations” doesn’t mean there was a drop in sales – after all what were the “expectations.”  But I will keep reading and have an open mind, because hey, new models of leadership in theater can be really good for an organization and the industry.

Faced with a projected deficit, Smith said that every decision the theater and the board makes now must be based on finances. Meyer agreed, saying that the ongoing value of BoarsHead is that arts and culture are “an integral part of a downtown fabric.”

“I certainly understand the business side very well,” said Meyer, while admitting, “I don’t understand the theater part of it. I’m just an old hockey guy.”

When asked whether the board would renew Thatcher’s contract if additional donations or sponsorships were to change the financial situation of the theater, both Meyer and Smith said that such an answer would be pure speculation.

“We have got to lower the cost of the Boarshead,” Meyer said. “We will continue to have high quality artistic presentation. We’ll get at it in a different way.”

The fiscal year 2009-2010 has $27,230 budgeted for artistic direction — a cut from the $59,135 salary that Thatcher was paid. Meyer said that number would not be used for a salaried position, but to pay for the necessary artistic direction.

“There will be artistic direction,” he said. “There will be that critical element of the artistic product that will be properly addressed. There is not currently a plan. We have discussed it in broad terms and I would hope that within a couple weeks we’ll have some announcements.”

He said the board is active, works very closely together and that they will make the future direction of BoarsHead work.

Okay, they officially lost me.  As the kids say WTF?  “Every decision must be based on finances.”  It is a theatre.  Without the artistic decisions how do you even know the finances?  I won’t even go into how can you understand the “business side very well” without understanding “the theater part of it”.”  THE BUSINESS IS THEATER.  They can’t be separated, but how about “there is not currently a plan” and “they [the board] will make the future direction of BoarsHead work.”  Remember the first quote – BoarsHead is one of three professional theaters in Michigan (sorry to my beloved home state, I think you now only have two professional theaters, thank goodness for my friend Guy Sanville, Jeff Daniels and the Purple Rose in Chelsea).

So I keep reading, but admittedly without an open mind, in fact with a bit of anger.

Complements about Thatcher from a former board member.  Complements about Thatcher from a playwright who has been produced at BoarsHead – attributes recent successes and growth to her – even suggest that the previous leadership had led the theatre to the brink of closing and Thatcher brought it back to health.  Opinions on the theater – it is a key player in Lansing arts scene, has a small staff, etc.  Complements about Thatcher from an actor who worked there – she is the heart of the theater.  Interestingly the comments all also say nice things about John Dale Smith.  Some more thoughts from a leaders of other area theaters (which include a shout-out to Purple Rose).  Info on Thatcher and awards she won.

NOTHING in the article to suggest that the work was an issue.

NOTHING to suggest why the board really thought this was the way to go (other than they want a say in the programming).

NOTHING to suggest any kind of plans.

NOTHING to suggest any logic in the decision at all.

Anyone else think there is something else going on here?

So I headed to BoarsHead Theater‘s website.  The front page touts last season’s awards and the 2009-2010 season (I assume chosen by Thatcher).  In the news section I found a statement from Meyers on the reorganization.  I thought okay the article on-line might have been bias, here we have it direct from the decision-makers.

BoarsHead Theater is a nonprofit cultural organization and, like most in this tough economy, we are dealing with extreme financial pressures. Our major sources of income are down dramatically. We have experienced losses in government and private grants, and business and individual donations.

We are not complaining. This is the reality we face, but it forces the board to take aggressive action to resize the organization. We are developing a reorganization plan with one – not two – top staff people. The business model of two people at the top developed 43 years ago by BoarsHead founders John Peakes and Richard Thomsen is not sustainable in these times. We must reduce expenses to continue to operate.

The board’s decision was a difficult one, but necessary in order to move forward and remain the anchor arts organization of downtown Lansing. BoarsHead is the largest equity (shows with professional actors) theater in mid-Michigan and we do not want to lose our value to downtown, our patrons, donors and past and future subscribers. Our reorganization plan will ensure our main stage shows continue to provide top-notch entertainment and our educational programs expand to allow exciting opportunities for the area youth.

We have announced an outstanding season of plays at affordable prices for next year. We need the support of the community to keep this theater sustained and thriving. Come see our shows, and tell your friends and neighbors to come downtown as well.

This theater has a significant impact on the economic development of downtown Lansing. We remain committed to downtown and being a vital part of its exciting renaissance.

BoarsHead Theater has a 43-year history in Lansing. Board members are unanimous in their love for this theater and its future. We are committed to our mission: “BoarsHead Theater entertains and inspires audiences through professional productions and educational outreach programs.”

NOTHING to really explain the decision or elaborate on making such a decision with no plan or who will have actual artistic input on the plan.

Goodness forbid that any board at any respectable theater read this and think this is a good course of action.  Sure there are times for changes in leadership.  There are even good reasons to play with the leadership structure of a theater.  But from the outside this doesn’t seem like a course of action, a strategy or even well-thought out.   In fact is seems ridiculous.

Unless something else is going on or a real plan is created that focuses on theater not just finances, my guess is we will soon see BoarsHead added to the growing list of theaters that have closed.

Related posts:

1. Here we go again…Artistic Director fired to save money ROUND TWO
2. Bernie Telsey, Artistic Director of MCC Theater and Casting Director, Telsey and Co.
3. North Shore Music Theatre was disaster waiting to happen and the fall-out gives a bad name to theater everywhere.
4. George Thorn, theater guru – interview in THE OREGONIAN
5. Don’t succumb to conservative theater!