Running Your Theater: Dissolution

Dissolution

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4611
Printed Date: 10/31/25 at 5:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Dissolution

Posted By: benhuffman
Subject: Dissolution
Date Posted: 5/08/10 at 2:25pm

Out community theater board is contemplating dissolution after 20+ years and 40+ productions. We would be grateful for any insight on any aspect (legal or practical) concerned with closing down a non-profit community theater. What filing needs to be done? What are the options for getting rid of costumes, scenery, etc.? Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/09/10 at 11:54am

Check your articles of incorporation from the original establishment of the group. Many times what is to be done with assets are stated there. Other theatres and schools are usually grateful for donations of your left over gear.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: benhuffman
Date Posted: 5/10/10 at 8:05am

Thanks. That's a help.

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 5/14/10 at 12:21am

What a sad posting that is.

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 5/14/10 at 10:50am

Have you considered instead of dissolving your group, combining with another nearby theatre? Perhaps across county lines? This may essentially mean giving a nearby group your stuff, but also might preserve some of your history and tradition. It also may make sure that your loyal fans and performers are considered in the future for types of plays, locales for performance and invites to the auditions. There could be economies that the combined group might gain--a larger audience, larger director pool, larger audition pool, existing advertisers.

These can be tough times, but perhaps the remainder of what your group has could strenthen the other group enough to hang on.

I've been saying 'group' because this may or may not be another community theatre. It could be part of a university, or dance group, etc.. I've seen this happen a few times. Once a college took over a "showboat" on the river that performs shows. Another time a college took over an arts resort area theater and made it another venue for its performers and designers.

If searching for a partner, I'd first look to see who already benefits from your facilities for events. Then I'd look at competitors (again might be across county lines) that might have identifiable weak points that you don't have.

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_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

Posted By: benhuffman
Date Posted: 5/14/10 at 11:50am

Great input. Thanks. We're in a rural area and are the only fine arts group around, so it would be sad to have to hang it up. We have a core of faithful patrons who always seem to enjoy the shows.

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/14/10 at 9:12pm

Why evaporate?
Is there any good reason or has it just been floated by someone who has just got thier knickers in a twist for some reason or other?
Has this been put to the rest of the membership as a whole, as there might be others prepared to carry on &/or form a renewed group.
[The Board is only thier to carry out the wishes of the membership, so could it be they are just bored stiff?]

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[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

Posted By: lparks
Date Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:37pm

Dissolution is a very bad way to go. If it can be avoided, please do. If your a community theater with no paid staff, why don't you just take a years hiatus; or produce a very limited 1 or 2 show season? I have never really seen a reason why a community theater should dissolve itself; short of the fact that the theater has lost ALL of it's audience (in which case, you might try repairing the problem with the theater before dissolving it).

If you must dissolve, your going to be limited by both your Articles of Incorporation and your state nonprofit law. Generally, all assets must be donated to another charity (if your 501(c)3)...

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Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co