By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-755243.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The firing of artistic director Kathleen Gaffney this week appears to have brought the curtain down on Studio Arena's storied past as a regional theatre producer.
Gaffney and other theatre supporters had held out hope that the theatre would be stabilized and at least a production or two could be eked out later this season. But that plan was apparently never the board's goal.
Tony Conte is President of Shea's Performing Art Center. He said the good news is that Sheas and Studio Arena's board are close to a management agreement that would resurrect the bankrupt theatre.
But Conte said that new life will not include production.
And there are no longer any employees at Studio Arena who could mount such productions. Conte said the focus really is preserving the building as a theatre so that it can host some level of professional theatre on its stage. He said it would take about $250,000 to settle enough debt for that to happen.
Conte said Sheas could take over as soon as early fall. But he said it also could take a year or more to iron out details.
Conte said the Nicole Kidman fundraising hoax did not have any impact on the negotiations with Sheas. He said their priority is making sure Sheas is shielded from any financial liabilities.
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