by Community Response   July 17, 2008

For the Press -- Community Response to the Southern Theater Board
To Members of the Press:



Last night and on very short notice, members of the Twin Cities dance and theater community gathered to discuss the Southern Theater's Board of Directors' decision to place Artistic Director, Jeff Bartlett, on "indefinite leave."



Our response to the Board is included below.



The group has not designated official spokespersons. If you have questions for signers of the attached letter, please contact individuals directly.



Thank you.



July 17, 2008



To the Board of the Southern Theater:



We are a group of artists, audience members, and donors committed to the Southern Theater.



We are concerned with the "indefinite leave" issued to Artistic Director, Jeff Bartlett, and the void of artistic leadership this creates. We are also gravely concerned with the manner in which this decision was made and the attendant silence around this action from the Board of Directors.



We feel that these actions in and of themselves are troubling, and are concerned that they indicate a larger sensibility and style of leadership that is detrimental to the future of the Southern.



We support Jeff's vision of artistic leadership, and we believe that artistic and financial viabilities go hand in hand. We hope our collective voice will be considered as the Board tenders its ultimate decision regarding Jeff.



While we respect what may be confidential aspects of the Board's negotiations with Jeff, we as individuals and community leaders who directly support the financial and artistic life of the Southern demand a public meeting with the Board of Directors to discuss how this situation was handled, and how it reflects the Board's vision. The Southern Theater is a 501(c)3 organization and its board is beholden to public accountability.



The Southern's mission statement declares its commitment to artists, audiences and the local community. We expect the Board will honor that commitment by meeting with the community in a timely fashion.



The UMN Dance Department has offered space for this meeting on Monday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to your confirmation by Friday, July 18th at 6 p.m. Karen Sherman has agreed to coordinate the scheduling of this meeting on our behalf. She may be contacted at kesksay@earthlink.net.



Sincerely,



Morgan Thorson, Artist

Judith Howard, Carleton College/Artist

Mary Easter, Founder and Director of the Dance Program, Carleton College/Dancer/Choreographer

Cassandra Shore, Artistic Director, Jawaahir Dance Company*

Sarah K. Sawyer, Arts Journalist/Performer

Katherine Strohmaier, Performer

Ranee Ramaswamy, Artistic Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*

Aparna Ramaswamy, Artistic Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*

Judith Brin Ingber, Artist

Wendy Knox, Frank Theater

Leslie Ball, BALLS Cabaret*

Kevin Lawler, Director/Actor

Karla Grotting, Founding Member/Artistic Associate,

Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum*

Colette Illarde, FUEGO Flamenco*

Robert Haarman, Artist

Michele Blanchard, Perimeter Productions

Robert C. Hammel, Perimeter Productions, Former Southern Board Member

Tamara Nadel, Founding Member/Development and Outreach Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*

Ashwini Ramaswamy, Founding Member, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*

Ben Krywosz, Nautilus Music Theater

David Harris, Performer/Arts Producer

Linda Shapiro, Arts Writer

James Sewell, James Sewell Ballet*

Laurie Van Wieren, Choreographer; Producer/Host of 9x22 Dance/Lab

Jon Skaalen, VSA Arts Minnesota

Sally Rousse, Sewell Family Foundation

Megan McClellan, Artist

Brian Sostek, Artist

Penelope Freeh, James Sewell Ballet/METRO Magazine Dance Writer*

Nicolas Lincoln, James Sewell Ballet*

Genevieve Bennett, Artist

Molly Stoltz, Dance BFA Major, University of Minnesota

Jeremy Bensussan, Out on a Limb Dance Company

Susana di Palma, Artistic Director, Zorongo Flamenco*

Justin Jones, Artist*

Carl Flink, Chair, University of Minnesota Dance Department; Artistic Director, Black Label Movement*

Karen Sherman, Artist*

Joe Chvala, Artistic Director, Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum*



* denotes 2008-2009 season artist