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Though it collected enough money to finish this year’s program, the 32-year-old Foothill Theatre Company still needs to raise $100,000 by Dec. 1 or cancel its 2009 season, according to Board President Lowell Robertson.
The latest blow to Foothill’s fundraising effort — already an uphill battle — was the sudden stock market decline and credit crisis in recent months that froze consumer spending, Robertson said.
The Nevada City theater is holding out hope of receiving a large number of grassroots donations — 1,000 donations of $100 each would raise $100,000, for example — or finding a so-called angel investor.
If it can’t raise the money, “our most viable option is to put the company to sleep for the 2009 season and hope we can reassemble some or all of the team to have a 2010 season when economic factors are more favorable,” Robertson told The Union.
“This would not be a bankruptcy. It would be a temporary cessation of operations.
“All staff would be laid off, and the business of the company would be performed by an executive committee,” he added.
About 10 people would lose their jobs as a result, he said.
“We committed to the public that we would not carry forward debt again and would not borrow against season ticket sales,” said Robertson, explaining the need to raise a large sum of money before year-end.
The group faces other challenges as well next year, including a higher rent rate being charged by the Nevada Theatre Commission, he said. In addition, the Nevada Theatre has limited Foothill Theatre to only three productions per year after the 2009 season, according to Robertson.
“Foothill Theatre needs its own home in order to be viable in the future,” he said.
Foothill has been prudent with its costs: For example, he said it has spent just $4,982 for sets, costumes, lighting and props to produce the four shows produced so far this season. “We defy anyone to top that,” Robertson said.
Total production costs, which include salaries, sets and rent, are down 21 percent year-to-date, he said.
In August, Foothill Theatre met a short-term financial goal, considered a Herculean effort: It raised $90,000 in about one month, enough to finish this year’s season. It produced “On Golden Pond” and is showing “Hamlet” between now and Nov. 23 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.
Foothill will put on “Little Women” from Nov. 20 to Dec. 28 at the Nevada Theatre, and it will produce “SantaLand Diaries” from Dec. 4 to Dec. 21 at the Off Center Stage.
Foothill’s closure would be a blow to the arts community, because it is the only resident professional theater in the county.
Its rent also helps preserve the historic Nevada Theatre on Broad Street, the oldest original-use theater in the state.
To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com, or call 477-4235.
The latest blow to Foothill’s fundraising effort — already an uphill battle — was the sudden stock market decline and credit crisis in recent months that froze consumer spending, Robertson said.
The Nevada City theater is holding out hope of receiving a large number of grassroots donations — 1,000 donations of $100 each would raise $100,000, for example — or finding a so-called angel investor.
If it can’t raise the money, “our most viable option is to put the company to sleep for the 2009 season and hope we can reassemble some or all of the team to have a 2010 season when economic factors are more favorable,” Robertson told The Union.
“This would not be a bankruptcy. It would be a temporary cessation of operations.
“All staff would be laid off, and the business of the company would be performed by an executive committee,” he added.
About 10 people would lose their jobs as a result, he said.
“We committed to the public that we would not carry forward debt again and would not borrow against season ticket sales,” said Robertson, explaining the need to raise a large sum of money before year-end.
The group faces other challenges as well next year, including a higher rent rate being charged by the Nevada Theatre Commission, he said. In addition, the Nevada Theatre has limited Foothill Theatre to only three productions per year after the 2009 season, according to Robertson.
“Foothill Theatre needs its own home in order to be viable in the future,” he said.
Foothill has been prudent with its costs: For example, he said it has spent just $4,982 for sets, costumes, lighting and props to produce the four shows produced so far this season. “We defy anyone to top that,” Robertson said.
Total production costs, which include salaries, sets and rent, are down 21 percent year-to-date, he said.
In August, Foothill Theatre met a short-term financial goal, considered a Herculean effort: It raised $90,000 in about one month, enough to finish this year’s season. It produced “On Golden Pond” and is showing “Hamlet” between now and Nov. 23 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.
Foothill will put on “Little Women” from Nov. 20 to Dec. 28 at the Nevada Theatre, and it will produce “SantaLand Diaries” from Dec. 4 to Dec. 21 at the Off Center Stage.
Foothill’s closure would be a blow to the arts community, because it is the only resident professional theater in the county.
Its rent also helps preserve the historic Nevada Theatre on Broad Street, the oldest original-use theater in the state.
To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com, or call 477-4235.
