Chicago's Tony-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the latest American regional theatre forced to cut back staffing as the theatre continues to struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a statement released by Steppenwolf Executive Director Brooke Flanagan, the company is laying off 12 percent of its staff, which amounts to 13 current employees. The theatre is also eliminating seven open positions. Flanagan cites a "protracted post-pandemic economic recovery" and "the rising cost of inflation" in explaining the "difficult" move.
"Despite these challenging times, we look to the future with hope," says Flanagan. "Chicago is a global hub for culture and innovation—home to a robust tapestry of arts workers. We offer a call to action to audiences across our city: reconnect with the wonder of live performance. By supporting your local theatre, you can safeguard the artists and institutions who create extraordinary work reflective of the bold, tenacious city that we call home."
Steppenwolf joins a lengthening list of theatrical institutions to make similar cutbacks in recent weeks, including fellow Chicago company Lookingglass Theatre, Off-Broadway's The Public Theater and Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group. It's becoming increasingly clear that regional theatre is experiencing a crisis, one that affects not only smaller companies but large, stalwart institutions that have traditionally operated comfortably with ample funding and reserve funds as well.
Read Steppenwolf's full statement below:
"Unfortunately, like many non-profit theatres across the country, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has been negatively impacted by a protracted post-pandemic economic recovery for our sector and the rising cost of inflation.
"To be sustainable well into the future has required some very difficult decisions.
"We have decided to prioritize our continued investment in serving as an artistic home for our ensemble, a launching pad for new work, a partner to Chicago schools and teens, and a collaborative space for itinerant artists and companies.
"But to maintain these commitments, we need to diversify our revenue streams while also taking steps to reduce expenses. This unfortunately includes the hard decision to reduce our workforce by 12 percent. This will impact 13 current employees—our friends and coworkers—and eliminate 7 open positions. We do this with a heavy heart.
"Despite these challenging times, we look to the future with hope. Chicago is a global hub for culture and innovation—home to a robust tapestry of arts workers. We offer a call to action to audiences across our city: reconnect with the wonder of live performance. By supporting your local theatre, you can safeguard the artists and institutions who create extraordinary work reflective of the bold, tenacious city that we call home.
– Brooke Flanagan, Executive Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company."
