The North Carolina Theatre still working to rebuild financially after pandemic
For nearly 40 years, The North Carolina Theatre put on professional performances – often with talent from Broadway.
However, like many theatres across the country, staff members have been dealing with the financial struggles left behind by the pandemic.
“Surviving the pandemic, at the beginning, looked like an impossibility,” John Zaloom, the secretary on the board of directors, said. “Coming out of it, we didn’t have the audience come back as quickly, and we didn’t have corporate sponsors come back as quickly.”
The theatre has a goal to raise $500,000 in order to keep its performances going. The nonprofit puts on professional productions and runs a training program for performers called the conservatory.
“Right now, we are determined to stay afloat and thriving,” said executive artistic director Eric Woodall.
He told WRAL on Monday that the nonprofit is very close to its goal. He said the upcoming ‘Elf the Musical’ is expected to go on, as planned, and he does not expect any interruptions in the upcoming season – but he says it will need assistance to keep going long-term.
“No one wants to see the North Carolina theatre go anywhere,” Woodall said. “It is at a place where it will give us the step we need to keep going.”
He said the theatre has taken steps to cut costs, like reducing staff and show budgets and restructuring its business model.
Additionally, he said the theatre worked with a lobbyist with the hopes of getting state funding for its programs, but those efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
“The downside is, it leaves us in a situation where we need immediate attention and assistance,” Woodall said.
Elf The Musical is set to open on Dec. 9 and runs through Dec. 17.
While they’re seeing progress, their fight is not over. Zaloom says they are hopeful.
“In a way, we feel triumphant that we’ve made it this far and that we would love to be an example of the theater that makes it after the pandemic.”
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