| San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | MikeR 02:12 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Sad. Sad, sad, sad. | |
| Link | http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/San-Jose-Rep-shutting-down-5544908.php |
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| re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 10:37 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - MikeR 02:12 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| My career is in the nonprofit industry, though not the arts. I'm afraid we will continue to see more small arts orgs continue to cease operations. Bankruptcy in thee cases seems different from a for-profit corporation that declares to seek a little breathing room to regroup. For small orgs I think it is very hard, nearly impossible, to find supporters to help you come back. Where were the supporters when the ship was going down? If if they did give and the ship still went down, how likely are they to give more? In my 25+ year nonprofit career I've had stellar execs and so-so execs. I don't know San Jose Rep's issues, but my hunch is poor management, or management that was over their heads. As with any org, leadership is critical. And with arts orgs you really do need two leaders, one who understands the 'show' and one who understands the 'business.' I assume having one leader who is a specialist and successful in both is rarely seen. | |
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| re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | BillEadie 10:41 am EDT 06/12/14 |
| In reply to: | re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - PatrickHSF 10:37 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Sorry to read this news. I saw a show there in April and enjoyed the show, the theatre, and found the staff to be very helpful. As you may know, a common problem that arts organizations have been facing is that their donor bases have been shrinking. Management and boards see it happening but often feel powerless to turn things around. That's what happened here with the opera. The General Manager proposed closing rather than going into bankruptcy, and the majority of his board agreed. Fortunately, a few board members decided that things didn't have to go that way and started what turned into a loud and vigorous public campaign to save the organization. So far, the general public has responded well, and there will be a season next year. But, the only way of solving the problem in the long term will be finding new ways of programming that will bring in a new generation of donors. Either that, or find ways of making the operation work with a much heavier reliance on ticket sales. Bill, in San Diego | |
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| re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 01:30 pm EDT 06/12/14 |
| In reply to: | re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - BillEadie 10:41 am EDT 06/12/14 |
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| The SF Opera is another good case study in terms of donor retention. I have a couple professional friends who used to work in development there. This was a news article in the Chronicle a couple years ago so I’m not betraying any confidentiality. For years the opera relied heavily on a dozen key families for major support. One matriarch had passed and the younger members of the family had let the opera know the family would eventually cease major funding, and was planning a step-down in giving over a few years. As the Chronicle noted, this was a contributing factor to budget shortfall of over one million dollars (I forget the exact amount). Successful development plans have equal emphasis on retention plus acquisition. One tactic many nonprofits, particularly the arts, is doing to create guilds or associations of younger people, to have a pool of future major donors as well as volunteer leaders. Many orgs also have specific targets, such as the SF Ballet’s successful NiteOut which focuses on the gay/les community. And the opera’s simulcasts in AT&T Park are always very well attended. Will the latter translate to ticket-buying and donation-giving patrons? We’ll see. Almost every day in the nonprofit world us fundraisers talk about how do we tap into the “new wealth” in Silicon Valley, but more than the wealth, how do we get these younger folks interested in our causes when so many are driven by career, career, career. Last year at a panel discussion on SilVal philanthropy, the panelists all talked about how 20- and 30-somethings are almost solely focused on being the next billionaire – not millionaire, billionaire. They have little time for anything else aside from working at a computer. | |
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| re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | BillEadie 02:42 am EDT 06/13/14 |
| In reply to: | re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - PatrickHSF 01:30 pm EDT 06/12/14 |
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| Ironically enough, the show I saw at San Jose Rep was about a pair of hairbrains who were trying to pitch a business scheme to a Sillicon Valley moneyman. Bill, still in SD | |
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| So is it really gone? | |
| Posted by: | dramedy 06:08 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - MikeR 02:12 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Both intiman (Seattle) and Pasadena playhouse filed bankruptcy and stopped productions and then later returned to operation. I think intiman lost a season. Pasadena was quicker. Is this San Jose rep way of getting noticed for big corporate donor and getting rid of debt in a restructure, but not actually going to close. Maybe skip the summer play which was going to start next Thursday. | |
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| re: So is it really gone? | |
| Posted by: | broadwaybelter 06:42 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | So is it really gone? - dramedy 06:08 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Unfortunately, they are worse off than the Initman and Pasadena. You can't really compare them, given each of their predicaments are vastly different. And, if only it was as easy as 'skip the summer play'. This financial crisis has been a LONG time coming, unfortunately. | |
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| re: San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy | |
| Posted by: | Richard Connema 03:04 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - MikeR 02:12 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Here is the official press release that I received today. San Jose Repertory Theatre Ceases Operation – San Jose Repertory Theatre announced today that it has ceased operation as of Monday, June 9, 2014. The 34-year-old non-profit theatre company will file for bankruptcy immediately. The company’s board of trustees said in a statement that it took this step reluctantly and only after numerous attempts to find ways to continue operations. “We deeply regret having to take this action because of the impact it will have on our 51 employees, the artists we work with each season, our season ticket holders, loyal patrons and generous donors and supporters,” said Holly Walter, president of the San Jose Rep’s board of trustees. “We also regret the impact on the city of San Jose and the local arts community. “However, after months of trying to solve our financial issues, reduce our debts and construct a sustainable model for the organization, we felt we had no choice but to take this action,” Walter added. “We want to thank everyone who has supported us during the past 34 years – including our committed donors and subscribers, volunteers, artists, and the city of San Jose. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to everyone. San Jose Rep has a 34-year history of providing professional, award-winning theatre and outreach and education programs for the community, and we’re saddened that this history has come to an end.” | |
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| That's surprising | |
| Posted by: | dramedy 02:37 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | San Jose Rep ceases operations, files for bankruptcy - MikeR 02:12 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| I didn't realize it was I such bad shape financially. It's a beautiful theater for seeing shows. I saw Janis Joplin last September. | |
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| Not really surprising, unfortunately | |
| Posted by: | MikeR 02:59 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | That's surprising - dramedy 02:37 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Surprising if you haven't been following their situation, of course. But the city saved them from the brink of disaster a few years ago. They've been in bad financial shape for some time, and apparently haven't been able to adapt their business model to survive. It's very, very sad, but it's been a long time coming. And yes, it's a gorgeous theater (with lots of rehearsal space). I shudder to think what the city will do with it. | |
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| re: Not really surprising, unfortunately | |
| Posted by: | Richard Connema 03:06 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | Not really surprising, unfortunately - MikeR 02:59 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| Yes I knew about this for a long time also. I agree it was a gorgeous theatre and I enjoyed going down to San Jose to see their shows. | |
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| re: Not really surprising, unfortunately | |
| Posted by: | dsikula 04:24 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Not really surprising, unfortunately - Richard Connema 03:06 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| This is really little short of criminal given the amount of tech money floating around the area. | |
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| The venue | |
| Posted by: | TourBoi 03:20 am EDT 06/13/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Not really surprising, unfortunately - dsikula 04:24 pm EDT 06/11/14 |
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| What WILL become of it? Hopefully the city will make it available to other groups or producers at affordable rates. | |
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| re: The venue | |
| Posted by: | shyllei 03:41 pm EDT 06/13/14 |
| In reply to: | The venue - TourBoi 03:20 am EDT 06/13/14 |
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| I don't know what the rate is, but part of the funding for the building included allowing it to be used by additional groups. The Rep. would supply the house management team and volunteers. I remember seeing SJ Taiko and a high school production of Seussical. But, yes. It is a wonderful building with a huge fly space. I hope some organization jumps at the chance to move into it as it is one of the better venues built for live events. Janice | |
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