Ironwood Theatre Announces Layoffs of Paid Work Force

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - The Ironwood Theatre announced layoffs of its paid work force effective January 21. This follows a two week furlough of employees that began after the first of the month.

Citing the collapse of the financial market and the resulting downturn in the economy as primary causes for the move, Theatre President Mark Silver said he expects this decision to bring about the stabilization the theatre needs to continue operating.

The State of Michigan was particularly hard hit by both the huge loss of jobs in the auto industry and the reversal of the economy. Early in 2009, in a series of moves to reduce the states’ deficit Michigan Governor Granholm announced the reconfiguration of 17 state agencies including the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The elimination of funding was a severe blow for arts organizations in the state with almost all depending on grant support from the MCACA. In 2009, the Ironwood Theatre received 14% of its budget from the state.

In the local area, high unemployment and a weaker dollar have contributed to lower attendance at theatre events. The Ironwood Theatre has maintained ticket prices at an affordable level for many years and has some of the lowest rates in the entire region. “We’re between the proverbial ‘rock and a hard place’ as far as ticket prices go,” Silver said. “We feel that increasing prices will cause us to lose more patrons and we can’t let that happen if we want to survive.” As a compromise, the Theatre plans to promote advance ticket sales at regular prices for most events, then add a slightly higher fee at the door.

While a number of productions are in the works for the new year, the Theatre was forced to cancel a Cabaret fund-raiser scheduled for mid-February featuring a 17 piece big band. Phil Kucera, Managing Director, stated that with the loss of staff the theatre will continue to tighten more expenses, regroup, and attempt to find skilled workers to augment an all volunteer office staff. Prior to the changes the Theatre had five paid employees, three in the office, one custodian, and a sound and light technician, all working part time.

“The Range community has been incredibly supportive of the theatre in many ways,’ said Kucera. Businesses, civic organizations and individual sponsors and donors continue to contribute to the historic facility. Renovations in the Theatre advanced this year in spite of the lack of capital. Concourse work was done last summer with a donation of labor from an Ironwood drywall firm. The job was completed at one fifth of the estimated cost. The Ladies Room was redone the same way. Kucera said this is how a number of other projects will be completed in the near future.

The Theatre has a new membership program in the works with premiums including discounts at the Theatre Store, and a members night with entertainment, refreshments, and an opportunity to visit with the Theatre family.

Individuals wishing to volunteer time, energy and talent to ensure the future of the Theatre should contact the Theatre at (906) 932-0618 or stop in the office weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for more information.