Santa Cruz 14

SHAKESPEARE SANTA CRUZ AT RISK, SEEKING SUPPORT FOR 2009 SEASON

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Shakespeare Santa Cruz, the nationally renowned professional theatre company in residence at the University of California, Santa Cruz, faces an uncertain future as the current economic downturn takes its toll on both the 27-year-old organization and its host campus. SSC has been hit especially hard by the 2008 recession but this is not the first season to end with a loss - the organization has not enjoyed a profitable season for several years. Shakespeare Santa Cruz (SSC) Managing Director Marcus Cato is projecting a $500K loss for 2008, primarily due to shortfalls in ticket sales and contributions. The current budget crisis gripping the State of California compounds the problem.

As the host organization, UC Santa Cruz’s Arts Division has been absorbing SSC’s accumulating deficit and the University has been working with the theatre company on proposals to address the deficit. UCSC has in the past afforded SSC the opportunity to continue its operations in the belief that SSC can eventually reach independent financial sustainability while it continues to provide an invaluable artistic and cultural experience to both students and the wider community. However, with the dramatic impact the current economic climate has had on all sectors, and on the State of California in particular, UCSC can no longer offer SSC this financial fall back position.

Despite restrictive budgets, UCSC leadership believes in the value of SSC and has been working closely with SSC board and staff to ensure its survival. After two months of discussions regarding SSC’s 2009 season and its future, an agreement was reached on Friday, December 12, 2008. SSC staff and Board of Directors, the UCSC Arts Division and the UCSC Chancellor’s Office have committed to jointly pursue this agreement: in order to present a 2009 season, and to ensure that any financial risk to UCSC is minimized. In addition to its regular annual campaign, SSC must raise $300,000 by 12:00 noon on Monday, December 22, 2008. Should SSC not succeed, the organization will be required to go dark for 2009, and therefore permanently.

The loss of SSC would have long-term and irrevocable repercussions in the Santa Cruz community’s ability to grow and thrive culturally and maintain its reputation as a world-class destination for arts and culture. Based on a formula put forward in a 2005 economic impact study by Americans for the Arts, SSC had an overall impact of $4M to the local economy in 2008.

At today’s UCSC Friends Reception, Chancellor George Blumenthal expressed his support of SSC’s future. “I want SSC to continue to be a jewel in the crown of our city and campus, a place where the nation's leading actors and directors can do their best work for the enjoyment of our community, the education of our students, and the excitement and enrichment of Santa Cruz audiences to come. I personally support SSC and urge you to continue to support it too.”

The SSC staff and Board of Directors is grateful to the Chancellor’s Office and the Arts Division for recognizing the importance of SSC’s survival and are poised to do everything within their power to succeed and thrive in this challenging climate. For the pending 2009 season, SSC Artistic Director Marco Barricelli has proposed a slate of three plays to be produced within the framework of both a conservative expense budget and realistic revenue goals. SSC has proposed a reduced 2009 budget of $1.45M, down from $2M in 2008. This budget allows SSC to continue as a professional repertory company, hiring Equity actors and talented union designers, directors and artisans to maintain the level of artistic excellence that is its hallmark. The proposed season includes one of the most endearing of Shakespeare’s comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the edgy, political tragedy, Julius Caesar, both performing in the outdoor Festival Glen. Rounding out the Shakespeare offerings, Artistic Director Barricelli continues to showcase contemporary American works with the Bay Area premiére of the family-friendly Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself) by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Donald Margulies, to be performed on the indoor Mainstage Theatre.

Barricelli acknowledges the challenge ahead: “These times are hard. We are facing the very real danger of shutting our doors forever. But I’ve always thought (perhaps perversely) that hard times are when we need theatre the most. I am reminded of a small but touching scene in the film version of The Dresser with the great Albert Finney. Finney’s "Sir" is walking through the bombed out streets of London after the blitz. Everything around him is ruin and devastation. He comes across a desperate couple - starving, trembling, devastated, without hope or home or family. He stops and gazes at them and wordlessly reaches into his pocket, handing them two tickets to the theatre for that evening’s performance. ‘This can help,’ he simply says.”

There are several ways to support Shakespeare Santa Cruz with an immediate donation of any size by check or credit card:

What can I do to help?

The immediate need is to ensure that we can go forward with the 2009 season. There are several ways to support Shakespeare Santa Cruz with an immediate donation of any size by check or credit card:

Online: www.shakespearesantacruz.org/support

In Person: Call SSC Development Director Ann Gibb at (831) 459-5507 and she will arrange for checks to be picked up. Checks are payable to “SSC/UCSC Foundation”

By Phone: Call the UCSC Ticket Office. Hours: Monday - Friday, 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM. Phone: (831) 459-2159.

By Mail: Due to the pending deadline, we can no longer accept via mail.

If SSC does not reach its goal of $300,000 by December 22, 2008, your gift will be refunded.

PLEASE NOTE: If SSC does not reach the $300,000 goal by December 22, 2008, your gift will be refunded.