ST. PETERSBURG – As the nation wrestles with massive layoffs, professional not-for-profit theatres are closing down around the country at an alarming rate.
In contrast, professional theaters in the Tampa Bay area are having their best season in years.
Just ask the leaders of American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg and Tampa’s Jobsite Theater, Gorilla Theatre and Stageworks.
“We just had the best fall-winter we have had in our 30 years,” said Todd Olson, producing artistic director at American Stage. “In December we broke our season subscription record, and our new After Hours series attracted another 6,000 patrons through our doors. More people saw theatre at American Stage so far this season than at any other time in our history."
People are also coming to smaller local theatres in record numbers. Anna Brennan, artistic director at Stageworks, reports that subscribership this season has doubled and overall attendance is up 35 percent. Managing Director Bridget Bean reports that the Gorilla Theatre sold significantly more tickets for their recent staging of Six Degrees of Separation than for any recent productions, despite construction in their theatre that reduced their number of seats.
“In trying times, people rethink what they really want from life,” said Bean. “I believe that live theatre fulfills their need for rich, exciting experiences in the company of other people.”
David M. Jenkins, producing artistic director at Jobsite Theater, reports similar milestones. “Our season ticket sales are up 55 percent this season, the largest boom we've ever seen.” Jobsite revenues are also on pace to top last season’s.
Attendance at Jobsite's first show this season shattered their expectations. Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile enjoyed an extension, and eventually played to almost 1,700 people. Similarly at American Stage last December, A Tuna Christmas became the highest-attended play in the theatre’s 30 year history, selling nearly 4,500 tickets.
Fundraising is also increasing at all these theatres. Jobsite’s major fundraiser exceeded projections by 50 percent, and their overall donations are up 35 percent. They also added their first full-time paid producing artistic director to the staff.
Stageworks likewise sold out their annual Gala, earning 50 percent more than the previous year, and their box office revenues are up 20 percent. Stageworks’ annual budget has also grown 20 percent and they’re in the midst of a capital campaign.
Having just completed their capital campaign, American Stage is preparing to open their new state of the art theatre in June. American Stage Theatre Company at the Raymond James Theatre in downtown St. Petersburg will be the first theatre built exclusively for a professional theatre company in the history of Tampa Bay.
"The best news is the acknowledged role that theatre is playing in the economic development of our downtown areas," said Brennen. “Stageworks is positioned as a pivotal force in the revitalization of the Channel District just as Jobsite entices people to Downtown Tampa and American Stage is the cornerstone of the new arts hub in St. Petersburg.”
