Companies In Search of a New ModelThe Soulpepper model may prove a godsend for the independent community here as well
by joel fishbane
I have a friend who runs a restaurant, but only for two weeks at a time. For months she works to get her restaurant ready, spending thousands of dollars on marketing, supplies and employees. There is a grand opening followed by fourteen nights of dinners after which she shuts down, throws out the equipment and sends most of her employees home. She’s usually in debt and yet, a few months later, she does it all again.
Is this a ludicrous way to run a business? Yes. Have I just described the standard operating practice for theatre companies across the country? Absolutely.
Theatre companies continually assemble the pieces of a production only to discard most of them after closing night. Productions continue to run, regardless of whether or not they’re popular and the successful shows are often not extended due to financial constraints, venues no longer being available or artists having prior commitments.
