A message from the Madison Repertory Theatre Board of Directors.

Forty years is a long time. There have been many changes - of staff, artistic focus, performance locations - but basically, for four decades, the Madison Repertory Theatre has been entertaining and engaging Madison area theatre lovers. This year, due to several variables, the Madison Repertory Theatre closed its doors and went dark, as the theatrical description goes. This period of economic challenge has been especially harsh on artistic performance venues. It is important to note that Madison has not lost its only professional theatre for lack of top-quality performances. Nor, is there a shortage of talented actors or a passion for excellence from loyal audience members. Rather, it has been a numbers game: There currently are too many needs and uses for the limited dollars that always kept our theatre safely above the uneven seas of economic turmoil. We do not expect to loose professional theatre forever from this community. In time, we anticipate a rebirth of professional theatre in Madison, most likely with an innovative economic model and a newly-developed plan for sustainability. We understand that change is often for the better, and accept this as the time for our theatre to undergo its own restructuring. While honoring fond memories, it is with eyes to the future that we let our theater go, expectant that the next incarnation of professional theater in Madison will emerge triumphant.