Arkansas’ largest non-profit professional theatre suspends operations, cites ‘significant’ cash flow issue

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the state’s largest non-profit professional theatre company, has suspended operations, with theatre officials and supporters working to raise $750,000 to address its “significant cash flow” problem.

The $750,000 is just to fund immediate needs. The theatre also announced a “Our Next Act” capital campaign.

A statement from the theatre’s – known as “The Rep” – board of directors said most operations were halting immediately, and John Miller-Stephany, the producing artistic director, is stepping down at the conclusion of the summer education program.

“The inability to reach its projected goals for charitable giving and ticket sales, and the change in the theatre landscape in Little Rock have created a perfect financial storm for The Rep,” said Board Chair Brian Bush. “The Rep’s ticket sales have been on a downhill slope for several years. Our community is on the verge of losing an amazing arts organization and tremendous asset to our city. Closing The Rep will have a devastating impact on the redevelopment of Main Street and the creative corridor.”

Miller-Stephany predicted the Rep would would find a way to solve its funding problem, but that solution would not include him.

“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunities afforded me – and for the personal support that I have received – during these past eighteen months. My hope is that The Rep will survive the current crisis in some form. However, I sadly do not see a place for myself in the reimagined Rep,” he said in a statement from The Rep.

The suspension has two phases. The first phase is effective May 8 and includes the following:
• Immediately suspend production operations;
• Cancel “God of Carnage,” the final production in The Rep’s 2017-18 Season (Those who have purchased tickets for God of Carnage will receive a tax receipt letter for the value of the tickets.);
• Suspend planning for the 2018-19 Season; and
• The Rep will complete its obligations to host ArtWorks (April 28) and Ballet Arkansas in Concert with Drew Mays (May 4-6).

The second phase is effective Aug. 3 and is the suspension of all operations after completing its nearly sold out Education at The Rep summer program. Students who have already registered will be included in the final education program.

Board Chair-Elect Ruth Shepherd is leading a committee of board members and past board members to fundraise for and “conceptualize a reimagined Arkansas Repertory Theatre,” noted a theatre statement.

“It was devastating to vote to suspend operations and cancel the final show of our season, but we just don’t have the money right now,” Shepherd said. “Continuing to produce at the level in which Arkansas audiences have come to expect from The Rep would have put us more in debt. That said, I think this community loves The Rep and understands the value of having a professional theatre that produces work here for Arkansans. Therefore, I hope that everyone who cares will step up and write a check and offer to help reimagine what The Rep can be in our community and state.”

On its website, the theatre issued this call to action: “We believe that for 42 years The Rep has been the heartbeat of our arts community, and we are committed to finding our future. We hope you will join us on this journey into our future.”

Founded in 1976 by Cliff Fannin Baker, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state’s largest non-profit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), The Rep has produced more than 350 productions including 40 world premieres on its 377-seat theatre located in its historic building in downtown Little Rock.

Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, the Rep employed a resident staff of more than 30 designers, technicians and administrators who create six to seven productions for an annual audience in excess of 70,000 for productions and educational programming. The Rep also employed guest artists from across the country to produce works, created, rehearsed and built in downtown Little Rock, ranging from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premieres to the classics of dramatic literature.