'The shows must go on,' Wiles says
Charleston Stage cuts pay, lets go 3 employees
The economic downturn has forced Charleston Stage, one of South Carolina's largest professional theater companies, to let go three full-time production and administrative employees and cut pay by 6 percent for the remaining 10 staff members.
Wiles
Founder and producing director Julian Wiles made the announcement Monday, saying that he is taking the 6 percent cut and also is deferring 19 percent of his salary for one year.
The cuts also have forced a programming change for the spring.
Unaffected by the payroll cuts are six professional actors who are currently in Charleston for 10 months and teaching in the Charleston Stage education programs, Wiles said in a press release.
"Like businesses all across the country, we are trying our best to react to the economic downturn in a fiscally responsible manner. We regret losing these fine staff members and we also appreciate the sacrifice our existing staff members are making to ensure that our shows go on during these challenging times," he said.
Wiles, known for his fundraising expertise, said that Charleston Stage tried to stay ahead of the downturn by cutting $250,000 from its budget last summer. This season's budget is $1.4 million compared with last year's $1.6 million, he said.
Additional expenses were incurred through the company's move from the Dock Street Theatre, where Charleston Stage has performed for 30 years, combined with a 43 percent decline in contributions, Wiles said. The historic theater is undergoing an extensive two-year renovation.
Previous story
Grant decision delayed; Local groups work to raise $250,000 match, published 11/27/08
"In my 31 years at the helm of Charleston Stage, I have never seen anything like the current across-the-board fundraising shortfalls that the arts organizations and nonprofits in Charleston are presently facing," Wiles said.
Wiles announced that Charleston Stage's production schedule for the remainder of the season, which runs through the spring, has changed slightly with the programming of a smaller-budget hit Broadway musical "The Producers" as a replacement for the musical "Crazy for You," slated for April. Other remaining shows are "Picasso in the Lapine Agile," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Charlotte's Web."
"The shows will go on," Wiles said. "We'll just have to be more creative with the resources available to us. While our costs should go down when we return to the Dock Street Theatre in 2010, we have to deal with the present."
With its current economic woes, Charleston Stage might have to reconsider the funding committed to arts education programs, which reach more than 15,000 young people in the Lowcountry each year, he said.
"For the time being, we plan no changes in our education programs, but we may have to take a hard look at these offerings in the future," he said. "We must still raise $200,000 by the end of the season and we need $100,000 by Dec. 31 to ensure these programs continue."
Wiles said theatergoers should take advantage of a family special Dec. 11 when all children's tickets are $10 to "A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas," which Wiles adapted from the Charles Dickens' novella. The musical opens Thursday at the Sottile Theatre for a three-week run. For tickets, which range from $10-$39, call 856-5316 or visit charlestonstage.com.
Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by islandbenzbc on December 2, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of the people in government could learn something from Mr. Wiles about cost cutting and budget trimming...
Posted by ColdBud on December 2, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They could always beg for a tax payer bailout like the CSO did...
Posted by SimplyMad on December 2, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Roger that CB, we know where this is heading - "Art is important" give us money!
Posted by IronWoman on December 2, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whether the readers realize this or not, ... production companies such as Charleston Stage are a HUGE part of what keeps Charleston alive. Tourists flock to this beautiful city for many reasons, but one of them is because of Julian Wiles' magnificent shows. He and the other directors, actors, and staff work hard year round to consistancy provide top-notch performances that rival a New York City show right here in Charleston! Before you slam him for letting the public know what they might be losing, ... come and see a show or two. And think what would happen to Charleston if places like Charleston Stage, the Symphony Orchestra, the Plantations, the Carriage Rides, and everything in between would have to shut down!!!! I don't think anyone wants to go there.
If everyone would give just a little to Charleston Stage, and I do mean 'a little', ... it would help get them back on their feet. Instead of depending on the wealthy to max everything out, ... each person could afford a bit, ... and before you know it, ... they would be able to afford their budget. They are afterall teaching OUR children the art of theater, and providing OUR community with a wonderful night on the town.
Posted by ColdBud on December 2, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While theater is nice, as is the orchestra, I've never met one single person that has come to Charleston, or wants to come to Charleston, to "see a show" or "take in a concert". I hear three common answers about why people come to Charleston: history, charm and polite people. We're not known for our entertainment offerings. I don't think you can lump the theater and orchestra in with the plantations and the carriage rides. Tourist KNOW about the plantations and carriage rides... that's part of the charm and history. They don't know about our entertainment offerings because, quite frankly, if someone is looking for good theater and orchestra, they'd probably go to a city like NY where much more is offered.
Posted by Chilldiesel83 on December 2, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just checking to see if Jim Islander and his dumb comments had made it over here to this story.....
Posted by geekboy on December 2, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened over in the McLauchlin article? Must have been pretty bad to get the entire conversation nuked.
Posted by gp0610 on December 3, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey ColdBud...ever heard of Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto? Try an influx of 28,000 people in just one month to Charleston to see the arts and see what happens to the local encomony. And guess what...Spoleto is a non-profit organization, just like the CSO, Charleston Stage Co, Charleston Ballet, Robert Ivey Ballet, ETV...and the list goes on. If you have never heard of anyone coming to Charleston to see a show, ask the thousands that come here during Spoleto why they're here, or do you just ignorant to the fact that the Arts are an integral part of Charleston's economy. Those 28,000 that come from places other than the Low Country during that one month help contribute over 30million to the city's economy. Don't believe me? Go look it up for yourself and educate yourself. Wake up Charleston! The non-profit art sector here is suffering, and soon the rest of Charleston will follow suit. Help them out even if it's going to see a show with your family.