Theatre in the Square closes their curtains

After months of struggling with finances and the recent departure of managing director Raye Varney, Marrieta’s Theatre in the Square has official closed their curtains. Curt Holman had reported on their hardships in recent months, recently noting that Varney resigned with the hope that her salary could help keep the theatre afloat longer. No such luck. The press release notes that the theatre has decided to decline a $30,000 contribution from Marietta City Council, saying “We can’t accept the funding in good conscience knowing that we will still have to close our doors in a matter of days.” The theatre suspended all performances as of today and will not finish the season.

From the press release:

The Theatre in the Square Board of Directors has announced that it will suspend all theatre performances effective Monday March 19, 2012. Board Chair Mike Russell stated, “After three days of board deliberations and financial analysis, we have decided that it is not feasible for us to finish our current season or launch a 31st season. We simply do not have the money.”

The Marietta City Council approved a $30,000 contribution to help the Theatre keep afloat while it finishes its performing season and plans for the future. Russell said, “Our Board of Directors was incredibly moved and grateful for the City Council’s unanimous vote to approve this funding. However, we can’t accept the funding in good conscience knowing that we will still have to close our doors in a matter of days.”

The Board of Directors raised $83,000 of the $400,000 needed to operate over the next three months and pay down vendor debt. Russell said, “We just don’t see any indication that we will be able to bring in that amount of money, much less additional funds required to launch a new season. We have begun staff layoffs and we have paid our current lease through March 31, 2012.”

Russell continued, “The Board wants to thank everyone who has stepped up over the past year to give cash contributions. We would not have been able to carry out the first few plays of the season if those donations had not been made. They were fantastic performances worthy of the support.”

Now the Board has the heart-wrenching task of closing down an organization that has been part of Marietta’s vibrant downtown for over 30 years. Russell said, “We understand that this is a painful decision that will impact many people: the dedicated staff, our vendors, season ticket subscribers, and our downtown neighboring businesses. We are meeting throughout the next two weeks with counsel to best address our obligations. We are also investigating an opportunity with one or more area theatres for a ticket swap for our current ticket holders of the remaining season plays.”