With regard to the issues at the Fountain Hills Theater and with emotions running high I would like to bring some facts into this discussion.

FHT is truly an amazing institution. Our involvement began approximately 2002-2003 when the annual budget at that time was approximately $200,000 and the fact that ticket sales represented less than 50 percent of the funds required to run the theater meant that a small group of donors were asked to donate, again and again. The annual budget is now in excess of $500,000 and ticket sales still represent less than 50 percent of the needed revenues.

The current budget has necessitated changes that were not possible or foreseen under the past management. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the theater ended the year with a very significant deficit. The Theater’s tax form 990 is a matter of public record. This fiscal year the theater started out with that same deficit which has been eliminated by generous donations and actions by the current executive staff.

So here we are with threatening phone messages to the executive staff and those of us who would like to bring a little common sense to the discussion. The repeated continuing financial difficulties of FHT are not unique to FHT and are quite common in not for profits such as this. Many community theaters have gone out of business and the fact that FHT has survived this long in an adverse economic climate is a testament to the determination of all those involved and to the generous support of the Town and the community; but changes are required to bring the theater to financial stability.

Changes proposed by the board and the executive director have been met by resistance but are necessary to put the theater on a sound fiscal path.