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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Theater Always Be Closing

Posted by Brendan Kiley on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 3:58 PM

SecondStory Rep, "Redmond’s Only Professional Theatre Company," must raise $80,000 by Dec 31 or it goes kaput.

Like all organizations affected by the recession, SSR has seen a steady and significant decline in audience attendance: 40% decrease in children’s theatre production attendance, and a 30% decrease in Mainstage production attendance. This, combined with diminished arts funding (down as much as 30% area-wide) and decreased corporate contributions (down as much as 50% area wide) has led to a downward cycle of staff cutbacks, deferred salaries and smaller marketing budgets that might normally work to improve audience numbers. At this time, the theatre struggles to meet payroll for the four remaining permanent staff members and contractual performing artists.

Comments (8) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

I mean, seriously, who gives a SHIT if SecondStory Rep closes? Deeply useless theatre.

Posted by fondue on October 28, 2009 at 4:44 PM

Third prize is You're Fired.

Posted by Urgutha Forka on October 28, 2009 at 5:12 PM

Third prize is You're Fired.

Posted by Urgutha Forka on October 28, 2009 at 5:13 PM

Sigh. I've designed costumes for three shows there and will be very, very sorry to see them go under. It's all just too depressing. They are lovely people and they don't deserve to lose everything for which they have worked so hard. It fucking sucks.

Posted by Lissa on October 28, 2009 at 8:49 PM

Shit. I acted with the founding artistic director back in my formative years, and he was/is the nicest guy. Haven't seen him in ten years, but yeah, they're wonderful people.

Posted by starsandgarters on October 29, 2009 at 5:25 AM

Shit. I acted with the founding artistic director back in my formative years, and he was/is the nicest guy. Haven't seen him in ten years, but yeah, they're wonderful people.

Posted by starsandgarters on October 29, 2009 at 5:26 AM

@1: Hateful, thoughtless, gutless comment.

Posted by bigyaz on October 29, 2009 at 9:11 AM

@1: don't be an asshole. This is a company that employs people as their primary job. I don't care for their mainstage programming personally, but I know lots of (non-theater snob) people who do and they have great kids' shows and some wonderful teachers working for them.

Posted by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot