Madison Repertory Theatre to lay off 6 employees
MADISON, Wis. (AP) Madison's only professional theater company is laying off nearly half of its full-time staff.
Madison Repertory Theatre Managing director, Julie Jensen, says ticket sales are down and raising money over the last several months has been difficult.
Officials will lay off six of its 13 full-time administrative and production staff members.
Positions cut include the production manager, development officer, graphic designer, scenic painter and props master. Her position has also been eliminated and she will leave in 90 days.
Jon Furlow, an executive committee member of the volunteer board, says the cuts are hard but the Rep will continue its season at the Overture Center's Playhouse as scheduled.
Nov 27, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
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To Janesvillecomments, are you threatening us with TV shows that require stellar actor performances, dialogue that can be heard and understood, plot, character development AND I won't need earplugs or anti-nausea meds to watch it?
My family may stoop to board games, playing cards and conversation in the evenings.
Bless you. A silver lining at last!
Nov 27, 2008 at 4:05 a.m.
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It might be part of their deal with Channel 3 to have more Madison news. Madison is close enough to Janesville to make it relevant, and it shows that it isn't only factory workers that are suffering with this economy.
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Many local theater groups either have groomed some corporate sponsorship (their season sponsor this year is US Bank http://madisonrep.org/ ), or they have a lot of community support like Beloit Civic Theater http://www.beloitcivictheatre.org/ , or they struggle constantly like Janesville Little Theatre.
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A story like this makes me wonder about next season's television shows. Before you express any mock sorrw about $100,000/episode TV stars, consider what will happen if advertiser revenues for television decrease significantly. Producers will cut back on filming crews, reduce the number of stages - there go electrician and carpenter jobs, rentals of fancy locations or props. They will cut back on writing staffs and special effects - fewer stunt jobs.
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Next year's season of your favorite cop show may include more one-camera dialog shots of the main stars with fewer guest stars and fewer extras, fewer shootouts and fewer car chases.
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I also wonder if any of the local TV stations have been laying off employees?
Nov 26, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
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I think the Gazette should do some good old fashion investigative reporting on the people who can not refrain from writing idiotic comments on the news.
Nov 26, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
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The Rep has an audience across the Midwest, so of course it's a legitimate wire story. This is frustrating to hear but it will only be one of many disappointing announcements as this recession deepens.
Nov 26, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.
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And in latest news, a Janesville restauraunt will lay off 2 employees, nearly half of the full-time staff!
Not that I want to make light of the situation for those 6, but I agree with farmdude.
Nov 26, 2008 at 11:24 a.m.
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This doesn't seem like it should be news that makes the AP wire.
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