Lied keeps workable budget despite economic downturn

Jesus might be able to turn water into wine, but turning gigs into ticket sales is the real trick.

Traveling theater groups – such as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which makes its way to the Lied Center for Performing Arts Saturday – and the venues that host them face serious budget questions during times of economic struggle.

“You will see everything from a very simple set to cuts in actors’ salaries because there’s not enough money to go around,” said Jason Francis, a graduate student at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

Attendance of musical theater productions has increased in the past year, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, but not at a rate that reflects the sharper increase in the country’s population.

Traveling theater groups, which receive anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of their incomes from ticket sales, suffer when audience numbers don’t grow fast enough.

That can snowball into less money for future shows, impacting quality, grandiosity and the frequency of tour dates.

Many actors, Francis included, project optimism about keeping tickets sales up in times of economic downturn.

“If your material is good,” Francis says, “people will come.”

The staff of the Lied Center is also optimistic.

Executive Director Ann Chang-Barnes is in the process of bidding for the 2009-2010 season in New York City at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference. 

What shows come to Lincoln next season depends on profit from this season’s ticket sales, corporate sponsorship and contributions from the Friends of the Lied foundation.

Despite the crunch many theaters are experiencing, the Lied had a well-attended fall season, namely with the Broadway showing of “Sweeney Todd,” said Pam Thompson, marketing director at the Lied.

 “Our season ticket holders are strong and loyal,” she said.

Assuming those ticket holders remain, this year’s foundation will provide a workable budget for next year’s season, which will also be the Lied Center’s 20th Anniversary. 

Next year’s lineup will probably include fewer appearances for each show, Thompson said, going along with the growing business trend.

“Fewer shows that are attended better will provide more of a profit for everyone,” she said.

Fewer shows, however, make bringing in Broadway productions difficult.  National Broadway touring companies prefer longer runs in the cities they visit because of the time it takes to move and prepare massive casts and sets. 

In a city the size of Lincoln, it can be difficult to fill theaters for more than just a few shows.

Thompson said she is confident that next year’s season will show little effects of the recession, and great quality shows will make their way to the Lied Center.

In other words, no walking-on-water level miracles should be necessary.

“It’s understandable but sad to see theater go when money is tight,” Thompson said. “But there’s no experience quite like a live performance.”

Emilynohr@dailynebraskan

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