Economy Bit Me

[Footer]

I would put this in the punching bag, but I want to keep this one alive.

We had an "emergency" faculty meeting this morning. The district is short by 16 million for the year due to the drop in state funding. They are currently putting a bill through the state legislature that would allow the state to put off the signing of contracts for next year by a month. So, all district spending is frozen. The district credit card in my pocket is now a paperweight. Doubt I will get to got to USITT not because my dept can not afford it, but because they won't be able to pay for a sub for me. I am just glad I bought a large supply of batteries and gaff a few weeks ago. All purchases now have to go through a review board process, which could back up for 2-3 weeks. Which means that for the show that I have in a month, I need to have purchases orders in a week ago in order to get it built. Woo Hoo!

Oh... and I am a limited contract teacher, (because I did not sign my contract at the beginning of the year because I was under another contract) which means that I do not automatically get a contract for next year. So, that is always fun.

Anyone else starting to feel this?

For those of you at Regional theatres, how are the houses looking?

Anyone lost any coporate sponsorships?

[chrispo86]

Yeah, we had the financial issues start at the beginning of this school year (a high school scenario here). When getting ready for our fall production we all of a sudden hit major roadblocks in our already complex purchasing process. All of our purchases/rentals now must be bid on by at least 3 seperate companies, which is a new procedure for us. It used to be if we've used them in the past they were set. No longer. We must take the lowest bid, no if/ands/or buts about it. Also our lumber used to go straight into a seperate contract through Grounds/Facilities. This now also needs to go out for bid. And like you said, all of our purchases/rentals must go through board review, so we had to get our paperwork in for next month's show a week or so ago.

It's a royal PITA, but there's not much that can be done about it. Luckily, as part of a state grant that was approved in the fall just as the economy was starting to turn upside-down, they're going to be completely replacing our sound system this summer, which will alleviate some of the financial burdens incurred from renting wireless mics for our shows. But as for everything else, yeah, it sucks...

[theatretechguy]

We had similar issues here (I work in a California High School). Funds were frozen and are now only being used for critical items. Orchestra program was cut last year and it's just a matter of time before the Drama program is cut. California taxes and fees are going to greatly increase in the coming year. My wife and I have already made several "cuts" on our own (cable TV, no vacation this year, no more eating out, etc).

I feel its going to get much much worse before it gets better.

[theatretechguy]

Originally Posted by chrispo86

Luckily, as part of a state grant that was approved in the fall just as the economy was starting to turn upside-down, they're going to be completely replacing our sound system this summer, which will alleviate some of the financial burdens incurred from renting wireless mics for our shows. But as for everything else, yeah, it sucks...

Isn't this crazy? We just got a hefty grant last year for new equipment, and at the same time teachers and programs were getting cuts...

I have to wonder just WHO they think will actually be using this new equipment...

[DaveySimps]

Ya, houses all across the Detroit Metro area are no where near full, despite some decent offers. So many theatres are offering free tickets or 50% off tickets. A few venues canceled productions to buy in shows, or to do joint productions. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate at over 10%, that and all of the drama with the domestic auto makers, leaves us really hurting, not that that is unique to us in any way. And, of course, corporate giving and individual donors are WAY down due to the economy.

One organization I am working with is building a new theatre, but that has been halted in its tracks for the next year due to banks not lending, even when we do have long term financing in place.

To top it off, a few weeks back our govenor closed the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries with no real notice. Our state went from funding the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs from $27 million in 2002 to $1million next fiscal year for the whole state. With the closing of the department of AHL, that money now has to be voted on on the floor of the state house, so it will probable be tied up indefinately. VERY frustrating times.

~Dave

[Van]

I think this thread would fall under the "weathering the financial storm" thread that I started a couple of months ago, but I'm gonna post here anyway.
Footer I feel for 'ya. Right after I posted my other thread we met and I had to shave $1k from each of my materials budgets for the rest of the season, at that point that meant $4k out of my yearly budget had just evaporated. That was just the Materials budgets, we wound up going through and slicing and dicing all over the place, anything that could be considered "contingency" was gone.
I have been amazed, however, with attendance and donations. Our houses for Seafarer were incredible! We hit our sales goal two weeks into the run, with a 172 seat house that is no mean feat! String of Pearls, currently running on our mainstage, is doing quite well for itself also.
We had our annual fundraiser Gala on Saturday night. I was prepared for a VERY disappointing turnout, a dismal Silent auction, and perhaps even a lot of people walking out of the place before we got to the Live auction, and Asks. Happily I was Wrong, Very wrong. Our attendance was complete. The live auction went well, not great but well. The Ask went much better than I had anticipated. I believe we made out "nut" for that evening. I'm not bragging, I'm relaying a bit of amazement. It seems as though Individuals are willing to step up and help out. We have, as most regionals and other non-profits, seen a lot of foundation Grants and Corporate sponsorships begin to recede to the horizon, something we hope we can get, but it my just be out of reach. It's still too early to tell if the increase in attendance and individual donations is going to make up where the Corporate and Foundation support is going to be lacking but Saturday night made me feel a little more hopeful.
I think things are going to get worse before they get better, but I also think a lot of the public is getting fed up with a certain priorities. I think the lack of government support for the Arts and for Education in general is weighing heavily on everyone's mind. I also find it interesting that this year my kids sold a ton of Campfire candy, their both in Campfire USA, I truly expected a dismal year for them. Who's going to buy $5 boxes of candy with the economy like this? I don't know who they were but there were about 750 of them. I think the "common man" knows what is happening to non-profits, and they are willing to do what they can. Not to be Pollyanna-ish but I really feel a shift in priorities, maybe not a paradigm shift, not yet, but a shift in what we want to see supported and where we want to see our money going.

Chins Up! I thought, I was afraid that I was going to be out of a job by the end of the season, just a couple of months ago. The air is clearing, a bit. Yes we will have to tighten belts, adopt a few more Labor intensive, money-wise, ways of doing things but I think we can do it. After all we're Creative people, we're really good at comming up with solutions for problems.

[Erwin]

It is no Rose Garden north of the border, but it sounds like we are getting off easy here.

We have had a few sponsorship issues, but nothing major. Our attendance has been a little low compared to the last few seasons. We are, however, a very small theatre company.

I think the worst is yet to come for our community. It relies on the mining industry which has just announced 700 job cuts here.

Time will tell, but I am certain that our company will continue on. Perhaps not the way we would all like to see it, but it will survive.

[mnfreelancer]

It's touching us corporate/rental type people too. Companies aren't holding nearly as many galas, banquets, large-group teleconferences and trade shows. Myself and my fellow techs are cut down to 32 hours a week without prior approval. The hotel properties we exclusively provide A/V services to are down between 30-45 % ! There's 0 money to buy replacement parts for anything but the most essential gear...$80 for a wireless handheld RF board? No. $45 for a S4 reflector? No. It's a lucky thing we're still buying gaf!

[Footer]

Originally Posted by mnfreelancer

It's touching us corporate/rental type people too. Companies aren't holding nearly as many galas, banquets, large-group teleconferences and trade shows. Myself and my fellow techs are cut down to 32 hours a week without prior approval. The hotel properties we exclusively provide A/V services to are down between 30-45 % ! There's 0 money to buy replacement parts for anything but the most essential gear...$80 for a wireless handheld RF board? No. $45 for a S4 reflector? No. It's a lucky thing we're still buying gaf!

I have 5 mics sitting at countryman out for repair right now, we'll see when I see those again, plus a technobeam in the shop.

I know CES was down for the year, and the local convention center is also down for the year. The most of the conferences are still happening, just less production is going into them.

[beachcombah15]

Our District just voted the other day to cut $700,000 total out of our Middle and High school budgets. This has been split up into 7 tiers, each totaling $100,000 a piece. The cuts end up affecting all of the programs at the school, and the athletic program most heavily. Included in these cuts, there is a very large chance that out Tech Director and Assistant Tech Director positions are to be completely phased out. This is HUGE to our program as these guys completely take over the supervision of set design and construction. Bottom line is, without these guys we won't be able to use any saws in the shop (Must be over 18 supervision) and several elements of our crew would be affected. These positions pretty much ensure consistency throughout the attendance waves in high school while still educating the students to reach their highest potential.

We are doing everything possible at this point to keep these guys in the place where they are, but some things are just inevitable.

Several other key positions being sized down or cut that aren't directly connected with the drama program is: one full time janitorial position, the district's technology specialist, and one assistant principal (of 2).

So what I'm doing at this point: Hoping for the best and planning for the worst.