Minnesota Festival Theatre to miss season due to debt

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 28, 2003

In an ordinary year at this time, Minnesota Festival Theatre would be announcing its new summer season.

But this is no ordinary year for MFT, because the professional summer theatre will not be presenting a season in 2003.

According to a letter mailed out to friends of the theatre by the board of directors, MFT has struggled since 1999 with a $13,000 debt. In each of the last three years, the theatre has produced plays with the hope the debt could be paid off.

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&uot;At times, we have made some progress on the debt only to slide back the next year,&uot; the letter stated.

MFT board member Sue Jorgensen said season tickets sales were actually up the last few years. &uot;But not up enough,&uot; she said.

Erin O’Brien, a past MFT president and ex-oficio board member, agreed. &uot;We sold twice as many season tickets last year, but we were really underpriced with the hopes of selling more tickets,&uot; she said.

In 2002, MFT ended the year with a total debt of approximately $47,000. Since then, the debt has been reduced to approximately $23,000. The debt currently includes $6,022 owed to local creditors for goods and services provided during the 2002 season.

&uot;Due to this financial situation, a 2003 season is just not a viable option,&uot; the letter stated.

To pay off this debt, the board of directors is planning a number of fund-raisers in the coming months, including a fish fry and silent auction this month. But, the letter states, fund-raisers are a slow process that bring in small amounts of money and burn out volunteers. So the board is also asking the community for tax-deductible donations. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to MFT at P.O. Box 1134, Albert Lea.

O’Brien said there has already been some response to the request for donations. &uot;We want to pay our bills,&uot; she said.

As important as money are volunteers. &uot;We need some fresh blood,&uot; she said. The board is comprised entirely of volunteers, and what’s really needed is someone to handle the day-to-day management of the theatre.

While the future of MFT is uncertain, the board of directors is convinced that the theatre is something that should be saved. MFT is the oldest summer professional equity theatre in Minnesota, and 2003 should have been its 20th season.

MFT was founded in Albert Lea and has always used local performers alongside professional actors. Many young people have been given the opportunity to have hands-on experience, both on stage and behind the scenes. Audiences have come from all over southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, as well as Albert Lea.

&uot;This is something that is so valuable to our community,&uot; said Jorgensen, who has been involved with theatre in one way or another since its beginning. &uot;We would really like to see this not go away.&uot;

Added O’Brien, &uot;This is something that’s so Albert Lea. We have a base of supporters, but we’d like to see even more support from Albert Lea.&uot;