Southern Theater lays off 5, cuts hours of remaining staff

Bowing to financial realities the Southern Theater today laid off five staff members and cut the hours of the remaining four.

Executive Director Gary Peterson says it’s the responsible thing to do. The Southern launched an emergency fund drive almost three weeks ago to raise $400,000 by last Saturday. In a posting on the Southern’s website today Board Chair Anne Baker says it’s received $45,000 in donations plus a further $50,000 at the Southern Exposure fundraiser on Saturday.

Both Baker and Peterson say the $400,000 target is still attainable, but in the meantime the Southern needs to prepare for the tight financial situation by developing a new sustainable structure. Speaking by phone this evening Gary Peterson said the 15 member board is now working on that.

From: Minnestota. Publicradio