STF clears debt, readies for 2010 season

It's a typical spring day in Stephenville. The early morning's dark clouds have disappeared and the sun is beaming over the town. Eva Moore's office on Montana Drive is awash in bright sunlight.

As the artistic producer with Stephenville Theatre Festival, she's guided the festival through it's own period of darkness. Over the past five years, the company has gone from a debt load of $200,000 and near bankruptcy - to being almost debt-free and heading for brighter times.

"I came in March of '05, which was halfway through the fiscal year," said Ms. Moore. She had just been hired as the festival's executive director.

"At that point, they had announced, basically, their biggest season ever, with Chicago, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noises Off - with a huge company, a bunch of equity actors," she said.

"It was at the point they were carrying a deficit from the prior year and with the huge season that was announced for '05, there was no way to avoid a huge deficit."

Ms. Moore said it wasn't the first close call for the sometimes-struggling festival.

"But I remember in '05 particularly, I nearly went out of my mind, because every Thursday we were just holding onto the cheques to make sure there was enough money in the bank to cover them," she said.

"It was just awful, it was terrible. It was my first year and I was thinking, 'Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into?'"

By the end of the season, Ms. Moore said the company was almost bankrupt. The organization was restructured, and two senior positions - executive director and artistic director - were combined to create the role of artistic producer.

Ms. Moore took on this newly created position, and work began to save the festival from drawing its final curtain.

"We were basically meeting with every creditor we had to see if they would invest back in the organization by forgiving their debt in favour of sponsorship the following year," she said.

The number of actors and production people hired for the festival was scaled back, employment programs were utilized, and permanent staff worked decreased hours during the off-season.

"Since then, it's basically been a slow and steady path out of the woods. I used to tell people, 'We're not out of the woods, but we're on the right path' - and this year, we've done it," said Ms. Moore.

"We have a very small loan left to one of our board members who basically will be forgiving it this year in favour of a sponsorship."

Ms. Moore also credited the community for coming to the festival's aid when the need was strongest.

"They really jumped in and did everything they could to save it, whether it was time or money or whatever," she said. "It's such a good thing and Maxim [Mazumdar, the festival's founder] knew what he was doing when he started this. And as hard as it's been over the past five years, there was nobody prepared to say, 'the hell with it.'"

Lessons learned

Ms. Moore said even though the festival is nearing debt-free status, the experience of the past five years would not be forgotten.

"We still have to live with a budget in mind," she said. "There isn't big money in the theatre community, and because where we are, we don't attract the attention of big corporations."

She said the festival continues to count on the community, and the local business community in particular, for smaller, but reliable sponsorships.

"The business sponsorships have been steady over the past number of years," said Ms. Moore. "And when people can help, they help."

She also praised the festival's two other permanent staff members, Raylene Noseworthy and Gail Hickey, for remaining committed to the company and helping see the festival through to better times.

The number of employees hired each summer remains small.

"I think the size of the company was 50 in '05, and now it's generally around 30 to 35, including students," said Ms. Moore.

"And every actor that comes in is committed to doing three shows. It's not a big drain on them. Even though we're not an equity company, we're a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres."

Being non-equity means those hired for the season do not have a collective agreement.

"Everybody that's hired here, and many keep coming back because they like what we're doing, is made aware of what our situation is and this is what we can offer and that's it."

Other benefits

"There's so much good about this organization, not just the work it provides for the people involved, it also effects the community," said Ms. Moore.

Stephenville Mayor Tom O'Brien said the festival provides economic benefits not only for the town, but the entire region.

"The positive recognition that the festival brings to Stephenville and the Bay St. George area would certainly be hard to replace," he said. "When it comes to tourism, it is certainly a plus. There are people who learn about the Stephenville Theatre Festival after they reach Newfoundland and change some of their travel plans so they can take in some of the festival."

Mayor O'Brien also acknowledged the efforts of Ms. Moore and the festival's board of directors in ensuring the survival of the festival.

"I personally know they've worked tremendously hard over the last few years to keep the festival going and get their finances under control - and it certainly appears they've done an excellent job of it," said the mayor.

Ms. Moore said she has personally gained from her time with Stephenville Theatre Festival.

"I never really anticipated that I'd be here this long, but it kind of grows on you," she said. "It's the challenge of saving it is something ... [and] I am stubborn enough and determined enough to make sure that my friend Maxim's honour didn't go down."

The 2010 season is expected to keep up with the festival's legacy, with a combination of both well-known and original pieces.

"We're focussing our energy on doing six shows really well, plus the one-night stands that highlight the local and visiting people," she said.

The big productions this year are Little Shop of Horrors and Roadhouse II. One-off musical performances include the talents of Mary Barry, Jennifer Dawson and Karla Pilgrim.

Once the 2010 season ends, Ms. Moore said she is looking forward to spending time in Nova Scotia with her daughter and grandchild, and pursuing international adjudication projects.

"You need that charge, to come back refreshed," she said.

Just like the energizing midday sun shining through Ms. Moore's office windows.

editor@thegeorgian.ca