Today we are writing with difficult news as we announce an urgent appeal to keep the doors open and curtain up at Virginia Repertory Theatre. As one of our immensely valued audience members and supporters, we want to tell you directly.
At a time when arts organizations all across the country are struggling to survive, a closure at Virginia Rep would be a huge blow to the thousands of patrons – adults, children, families, and summer campers whom we serve, not to mention the hundreds of actors, artists, technicians, and administrators who make Virginia Rep their home. And the impact doesn’t stop there. For many downtown restaurants, shops, and other businesses, theatre patrons can mean the difference between success and failure.
Virginia Rep recently brought on a new leadership team to reinvigorate the theatre, and create the conditions for it to truly be a theatre of, by, and for all the people of Richmond. Our new Managing Director, Klaus Schuller, is a specialist in budgeting, strategy, and organizational development who gained his skills as an executive with large commercial theatre and variety organizations. Our Artistic Director (and co-leader) Rick Hammerly is a Helen Hayes Award winning director, actor, filmmaker, and arts administrator. The current season is a real step forward for the organization, built on a mix of recent Broadway favorites (Waitress), literary classics (Misery, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grace for President), and forward-looking collaborations (Fat Ham).
Unfortunately, the new leadership team has been greeted with a legacy deficit of $1.7 million, and a further deficit of $1.6 million projected for the year to come. The deficit, combined with the turmoil surrounding last year’s leadership change, have resulted in the company’s coffers being empty. Some donors have withdrawn their support, causing an additional $600,000 shortfall. Further, unlike many organizations of our size, we lack an endowment fund to get us through the financial ups and downs common to not-for-profit organizations.
If we cannot make up that shortfall – and quickly – we will not have the time and opportunity to make the changes to our structure and programming necessary to survive.
To be clear, we need an immediate infusion of more than $600,000 or we will be forced to close our doors in the coming weeks.
We have a strong plan and vision for the future of this organization – and you can read our full statement here. We fully intend to keep our programming. Misery is live on stage these next two weekends and we believe with the support of our community the curtain will stay up.
Please consider a donation and sharing this message.
We hope to see you at the November soon.