by ad-hoc working group   July 21, 2008

Dear friends and community members -- The Southern Theater's Board of Directors has agreed to a public meeting with the performing arts community to discuss its handling of Jeff Bartlett's "indefinite leave" from the Southern Theater.
The meeting will be held tomorrow Monday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Studio 100 of the Barbara Barker Center for Dance at the University of MN (500 21st Avenue South in Minneapolis at the corner of 21st Avenue and Riverside, ground floor).



Jeff Bartlett and the Board are in the process of negotiating their own public statements regarding Jeff's tenure. This meeting is not to force details regarding those negotiations. While we are indebted to Jeff for his artistic service and feel he deserves far better than he got, we seek to illuminate for the board the message it send to an entire arts community when it governs in such a fashion. This style of board leadership goes beyond the ramifications for any one individual and affect all of us who care about the arts in this city.



As a 501(c)3 organization, the Southern and its board have an obligation to engender public trust -- something that has been compromised by the severity of the Board's handling of this situation. We are left with questions about the Board's vision for the future of the Southern, including its artistic leadership and organizational structure, and the methods by which the Board plans to move forward. As the artists, donors, funders and audiences that make the Southern viable, we want to know how this board will sustain a vital Twin Cities venue, and do so with integrity and respect for its staff and community.



We very much hope you will attend. Please feel free to forward this email.



Thank you,

An ad-hoc working group comprised of:



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, Dancer/Choreographer/Writer/Historian

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

Hannah Kramer, Freelance Dancer; Board Member,

Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater