Theatre Workshop reveals positive financial results
BY LAURA RASKIN INDEPENDENT ARTS WRITER
“Don’t you ever let this theatre die.”

Theatre Workshop of Nantucket founder Mac Dixon issued that order when he retired as the artistic director in 1981. In the 24 years since, with the pressures that face small-town theater companies, he could easily have been let down.

The TWN board of directors proudly announced on Thursday evening from their new home at the Methodist Church that they are far from waving a white handkerchief and collapsing in a vertiginous heap onstage. For the first time since Treasurer Adam Berman took over the position and computerized the finances of the almost 50-year-old theater five years ago, the TWN is not in the red.

The theater broke $200,000 in revenue this year, up $80,000 from last year. Operating expenses went up, but the company produced seven productions as opposed to four. Production expenses went down. “We tightened our belts and came in with some very aggressive budgeting,” said Berman.

“This is the first time I’ve shown a positive income statement since I’ve been on the board. It’s nice not to report a $22,000 loss like I did last year,” he said.

Dixon might have had reason to worry about theater on the island a year ago. The Actors Theatre of Nantucket had folded after 20 years in existence and its demise tested the TWN as the only theater company on the island.

But the folding of the Actors Theatre brought some potentially promising prospects for TWN – a new permanent home at Actors Theatre’s former spot at the Methodist Church, the adoption of Actors Theatre associate artistic director Jane Karakula as TWN’s artistic director and the purchase of their assets and mailing lists.

Now being, literally, the only act in town, plus the TWN’s aggressive marketing campaign, increased advertising revenue in the playbooks and having more underwriters, fundraisers and grants are all factors in a positive financial picture, said both TWN President Pam Murphy and Berman.

Last year the TWN budgeted $100,000 from a CD initially earmarked for a permanent home for theater. In a prepared statement to an audience of about 10, Murphy read that $73,000 of that has been spent. It was used to purchase Actors Theatre assets and improve the church’s amenities as a theater space. Comfortable chairs were purchased, air conditioning, carpeting and flooring was installed and fresh paint covers the walls. The board sees the church, which they rent for $15,000 a year, as a permanent home for the “foreseeable future,” said Murphy. The remainder of the $100,000 will be used to better insulate the church.

In other coups for the theater, its annual appeal response almost tripled at $42,000; playbill advertising revenue increased by $3,000; underwriters went from one to four from last year for a total of $20,000 in support; box office receipts more than doubled from last year to bring in $86,000.

Grants made it possible to provide free performances for seniors and students and children’s programs. Board member Lucille Jordan told the audience to watch for a theater internship program for high schoolers in the next year.

Board members may be able to take a breath and theater lovers on the island do not have to start planning group bus trips to WHAT (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater), but the TWN board said they are not taking this success as a reason to relax.

“Even in the face of all the positive financial information, we are by no means complacent,” said Murphy, who will continue as president this year. “We succeeded in working within our means for the first time. Don’t think we’re just going to sit back and put feet up.”

It’s a fine line, said Murphy, between the red and the clear.

For Karakula, saying goodbye to Actors Theatre was emotional and she remains sympathetic to those for whom leaving Bennett Hall was bittersweet. “But it’s been a good thing. For once on Nantucket, for at least a while, there’s one theater. We can create unity for theater,” she said.

TWN has captured and catered to audiences of all ages. “I feel like we’re on a roll here,” she said.

The costume collection owned by theater is about to have a new home too, in the rented basement of 32 Centre St. below Mallary Alfano. They are now housed in a cramped unit at Nantucket Storage. The collection is varied, with usable pieces and some valuable storied ones. Newer donations have not received proper attention and new board member Cheryl Fudge, a clothing designer, is going to fix them to assure they remain in good condition, said TWN Secretary Jennifer Ahlborn.

Ahlborn announced that five board members resigned this year, three of whom were replaced in June. Chris Belanger, Kate Hamilton, Barbara Elder, John Shaw and Ahlborn have stepped down. Ahlborn, one of those dedicated volunteers whom Murphy thanked for their service, has served the maximum nine years she is allowed by TWN bylaws. She will remain active, however. Greg Bourbeau, Cheryl Fudge and Mark White are new to the board. Peter Greenhalgh remains the vice president, and Berman remains the treasurer. Bourbeau will become secretary.

Most exciting in the future of the theater is the celebration of its 50th anniversary next year, making it one of the oldest nonprofits on the island. Board members are meeting already to discuss and plan events and activities.

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The theater is still looking for cast members for “A Christmas Carol” starring David Lazarus and John Devaney: A young boy, 7-12; boy, 12-14; young woman, teens to 30s; young man, 20-30s; older man, 40-70s; and singers. Contact director Meredith Martin at 221-0665 or email natgirl@comcast.net.

Free performances of scenes from “A Christmas Carol” will be performed during Christmas Stroll and Thurs. through Sat., Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 11 at Bennett Hall.

Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” will be performed by native Briton John KnoxJohnston upstairs at the Methodist Church on Nov. 25 and 26 and Dec. 2 and 3 at 5:30 p.m.

The Victorian Tea at the Jared Coffin House is Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $25. Door prizes, tea, scones, sandwiches, dessert, Christmas carols and the Accidentals and Naturals.

Anyone interested in participating or suggesting an idea for the TWN’s 50th anniversary celebration can call the theater at 228-4305, send email to info@theatreworkshop.com or come to a planning meeting at Jordan Real Estate on Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m., at 8 Federal St.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THEATRE WORKSHOP