September 15, 2011

DOWNSTAGE POSTPONES PRESENTING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SIX MONTHS  

Now that The Dominion Post has leaked the story ahead of an official media release, under the heading Curtain Down on Downstage, here is the text of the email sent out to stakeholders on Tuesday:

We want to let you know of some changes occurring at Downstage over the next few months.

Downstage Theatre Trust Board and Director/CEO have made the difficult choice to postpone and cancel the final shows for 2011 (post Te Radar’s Eating the Dog), in order to continue serving our sector and our audience in 2012 and beyond. 

While we have had a remarkable number of artistic successes this year, we have not met a number of targets in a very tough economic climate. This put pressure on all our operations. 

Our model is designed to insulate vulnerable independent companies from Box Office risk, however in an extraordinarily challenging year, that burden grew to the point where we ourselves became vulnerable.

What this means going forward is we are taking this opportunity to examine our operations and our strategy with a view to delivering a model of this theatre that a) remains true to our core values and b) is built with increased robustness in mind, given the on-going economic uncertainty and the low likelihood of change.

We remain committed to the value of the presenting partner model and to developing 21st century performing arts practice, and working in partnership with the independent sector – the source of New Zealand’s most compelling theatrical creativity. 

CNZ is supportive of the course of action we have taken to ensure the company’s survival. The recent announcement that it would offer Downstage multi-year funding was an endorsement for the organisation, its staff, and the Presenting Partners model, which is unique in New Zealand, and we are working together to ensure that future. 

The decision to reduce this year’s programme has been carefully considered, as we recognize the impact this will have on our staff, audiences, sponsors, Presenting Partners, and suppliers.  We’re grateful to have their support, as well as that of Creative New Zealand, Wellington City Council, Hannah Playhouse Trust, and Downstage Theatre Society.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

We expect to re-launch in April next year, following the International Festival of the Arts.

Warm regards

Hilary Beaton
Director/CEO 

Discuss this in the forum – which also contains the official Downstage media release.