Nipissing Stage Company Cancels 2006 Season

The Nipissing Stage Company has put the brakes on their 2006 Season.

Board President, Ben Farella, says the move to cancel the 7th season is the company’s requirement to identify and implement a sustainable funding, in order to cover the company’s operations from year-to-year. Farella also identifies a sizeable two-year-old debt load and a lack of sponsors. He says the Board would not risk the high likelihood of defaulting on salaries and operational costs as the summer season progressed.

Full details contained in the release below.

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The Board of the Nipissing Stage Company (NSC) regrets to announce that the theatre company will not operate as scheduled during the summer of 2006. As such the 2006 Season line-up of shows is cancelled.

President of the Board, Mr. Ben Farella, emphasizes that the foremost cause for this decision is the company’s requirement to identify and implement a sustainable financial model that will support the company’s operations from year-to-year. In 2006 the regular summer season, which would have been the company’s 7th in operations, will not proceed in part due to a sizeable two-year-old debt load and a shortfall in sponsorships. The Board would not risk the high likelihood of defaulting on salaries and operational costs as the summer season progressed.

Culture, the Arts and live entertainment often rank among the more unstable financial activities in many communities. NSC has seen little or no growth in audience numbers from the tourism sector. Revenues from tourism should represent a small but significant part of the company’s business plan, however, this has not been the case for Nipissing Stage Company. Regionally, a small core of dedicated supporters has thus far sustained the company’s raison d’etre.

This February the company made a public request to the community-at-large: that the community actively supports its desire to retain the local professional theatre troupe alive. Approximately 120 new subscriptions were taken up along with support through single ticket purchases, however, this was countered by approximately 140 regular subscribers not renewing prior to this time and many patrons opting to purchase only days prior to a show. Past subscriber numbers ranged in recent seasons from 315 to 485.

Interested members of the community who wish to assist the company will be asked to engage in identifying various models of operation as well as reducing the debt load. The objectives driving this course of action are

- to satisfy our core audience’s desire for live theatre during the summer season

- to employ professional actors locally

- to provide for craftspeople and artisans to practice their trade in local productions

- to increase opportunities for community actors, and

- to achieve all of these objectives within the framework of a financially sustainable model.

To initiate the company’s debt reduction plan NSC will offer 2006 ticket holders options on their 2006 ticket purchase. Options include a full refund or one of a combination of entry into a performance fundraiser, a voucher for a subsequent performance-based fundraiser and/or a fully-tax deductible receipt for any portion of their ticket purchase that they wish to donate.

The Board of Directors and General Manager of NSC sincerely thank the committed community members, whether as patrons, volunteers or sponsors, who expressed their value of NSC through timely ticket purchases, donations, offers of assistance, letters and phone calls. Later this month the company will contact 2006 ticket purchasers with details on the fundraising night of entertainment. Patron enquiries should be made to 705 840-2617.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NIPISSING STAGE COMPANY

1999 NSC incorporated

2000 First summer season, 4 plays produced in repertory (plays running in an overlapping schedule), produced with a limited number of CAEA members (Canadian Actors Equity Association, also regarded as professional artists versus amateur performers).

2001 2nd summer season; 4 plays produced in repertory; one play toured

2002 3rd summer season; 4 plays produced in repertory; significant losses incurred requiring NSC’s underwriter’s to contribute $60,000 in order to sustain operations.

2003 4th summer season; 4 plays produced in repertory

2004 5th summer season; joined PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres); 5 plays produced in repertory professionally (meaning that 75% of actors were CAEA members) plus one family play using community actors. Net loss of $54,000 due to unbudgeted expenses and ticket revenue shortfall.

2005 6th summer season; 5 plays produced professionally, family show produced as a Young Company, meaning that guest professionals trained participating artists who are early in their development or careers (NSC was awarded a grant for the full cost of trainers); moved from repertory format to one-play-at-a-time (or “stock”) format due to expense of engaging CAEA members in the repertory format. $60,000 fundraising requirement not able to be met. $45,000 of additional revenue was generated and/or saved from the budget; despite savings 2005 resulted in a net loss of $15,000.

2006 7th summer season launched; sponsorship and ticket drive targets not met as of April. Season cancelled in May.