by Susan Lach, Chair of the Board of Directors   July 18, 2008

Two years ago the Board of Directors of the Southern Theater was reconstituted, recognizing that the Southern Theater had entered a pivotal phase in its organizational development.
Now in its twenty-seventh year of operation, the Southern has become known as the area's premier venue for dance, theater and music. It has earned a reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, locally based performing arts presenter, offering an array of performance experiences in an intimate setting. The Board of Directors is committed to continuing the mission of the Southern Theater, to cultivate our artistic exploration by providing a vibrant home for performance, fostering a multiplicity of voices, and catalyzing connections between artists and audiences. In 2006, the Southern Theater adopted a long range plan to further the vision of the Southern Theater such that the Southern will continue to be known as a place that builds community through personal contact and nurturing relationships with the belief that everyone is a vital participant in a healthy artistic landscape.



The Board has worked long and diligently to avoid the pitfalls that other arts organizations have succumbed to in the Twin Cities. Two years ago the Board was confronted with a huge financial deficit, a building badly in need of repair, faulty and problematic accounting practices, personnel issues, low staff morale, and complaints from artists. After considerable research, thought, evaluation and discussion, the Board determined that in order to preserve the Southern Theater's mission, including the legacy of Jeff Bartlett, a restructuring of the organization was essential. All of this was discussed extensively with Jeff Bartlett both by individual Board Members and through his attendance at many of the Board meetings over the past two years. Throughout this process, Jeff Bartlett was given multiple opportunities to give feedback, participate in the discussions, offer solutions, and ultimately embrace the new organizational structure of the Southern Theater by actively participating in harmony with the new organization.



During these last two years the new Board has taken critical steps to substantially reduce the Southern's deficit and restore financial stability to the organization; the Southern's attendance has grown and the Theater's donor base has increased; the Board has initiated repairs and begun planning for renovations to the theater; the Board has redesigned its internal operations, including accounting and bookkeeping; and they have instituted a website and online ticketing system. As a result, the Southern's staff is more cohesive, and they have elevated its community presence through the highly-successful Southern Exposure 2008, this year's annual fundraising event, and thereby have ultimately become more accountable to its fundraising community.



Additionally, for the past six months, the Board conducted an extensive national search to identify a new President and CEO for the Southern, which was a critical step to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization and its mission. This process was recently completed, and the Southern is very excited to have Patricia Ann Speelman on board in this role. Both the Board and Patricia remain committed to providing a vibrant, sustainable center for artistic activity that fosters an array of opportunities for performing artists and audiences. The Board acknowledges and is grateful for the contributions of all to the Southern Theater, especially Jeff Bartlett, that have made the Southern Theater what it is, and the Board is confident that Patricia will be able to take the theater to its next 25 years of great service.



The Southern Theater appreciates your patience and understanding of its inability to discuss the professional and personnel issues regarding Jeff Bartlett. The Southern can, however, assure the community that its actions were in no way a surprise to Jeff Bartlett, and that he is aware of the reasons that are associated with his current leave.



Contact:



Susan Lach, Chair of the Board of Directors

The Southern Theater

612.672.3730