After 25 years with the Depot Theater Company, artistic director Don Steele has decided to call it a day.
Steele told the Globe on Wednesday that while he has not officially resigned, he will notify the theater company's board of directors of his decision before its Monday meeting.
He cited several concerns in a letter to company members, including his loss of confidence in the board's ability to lead the company out of its financial distress.
"As you know, the company came within days of having to close its doors last winter," he said in the letter. "Only the injection of $150,000 in CFAB (Community Facilities Advisory Board) money prevented that from happening."
He said anonymous-donor funds, which have amounted to $150,000 per year for the past four years, will expire in June 2009, creating an additional burden for an already difficult budget.
Furthermore, he said, the depot is showing signs of deferred maintenance, but there is no reserve fund in place for future equipment replacement or repairs.
Repeated attempts to reach the board's chairwoman, Judy Counce, for comment were unsuccessful. Attempts to reach Vice Chairwoman Mona Ackerman as well as board members Greg Starks and the Rev. Dennis Zimmerman were not immediately successful either.
Steele will remain on board through the summer show, "Seussical," for which he will be playing in the orchestra pit. He said the show will run July 10 to 20, and he has a month of vacation built up, so he expects to be around through the end of August — although those details have not been discussed yet.
Steele has been with the theater company for 25 years, first as its executive director and then as artistic director — a position he has held for the past four years. He has directed the majority of the company's shows, the most recent of which was this spring's production of the comedy "The Nerd."
He said in an interview with the Globe Wednesday that he was concerned about the future of the company and the long-term use of the Santa Fe Depot.
"I think the company is strong, and I have every expectation that someone will be hired who will take over and actually bring new energy and better ideas," he said.
He said the company has accomplished a lot over the past 25 years, and any community theater would be pleased with its list of productions. Beyond that, he said, he was proud of the people who had contributed their time and talent to the company.
"The growth — it's not really professional growth on their part, but the artistic growth — of everyone from 5 and 6 years old up to people in their 70s," he said. "And we've watched a lot of successes happen there. It's really good for people and a positive experience."
Company member Jim Johnson, who has been with the company since the 1980s and worked closely with Steele on several projects, said he was saddened and disappointed to hear the news of Steele's resignation.
"We wish Don nothing but the best," Johnson said. "He's done a magnificent job with this company for 25 years."
Johnson said company members understood the stresses and strains that Steele had been under, so his decision to resign did not come as a complete surprise.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
DODGE CITY —
