Victoria Theatre Association Ends 2008-2009 Season With Projected Surplus

Victoria Theatre Association (VTA) and the Arts Center Foundation (ACF) presented its 2008-2009 Community Report and introduced new members of its Board of Trustees at today's annual meeting, held in the Mathile Theatre at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

"Our season saw improved financial results, despite the difficult economic environment, thanks to improved efficiencies and staff realignment," states Lou Mason, Chair of the VTA/ACF Board of Trustees. "We continued to see strong attendance for our performances and educational opportunities, as well as welcomed Ken Neufeld as our new President &CEO. It has been overall, a very positive season, considering the volatile economic atmosphere we have experienced."

The Net Operating Income before depreciation for the combined operations of Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 is projected to be a surplus of 3.2%, as opposed to the prior year's 3.3% operating loss. Total revenues declined 12% from the prior year but were offset by fiscally responsible cost controls and resourceful staff decisions.

Ken Neufeld, President & CEO, is optimistic about the future of VTA/ACF. "As we move into the 2009-10 season, I am encouraged by what is ahead: we have an excellent program of productions and attractions in the coming year which has stimulated season and single ticket sales, we have a work force that is focused on budget realities and is creative enough to find new and better ways to operate, and we have a board of trustees that is committed to excellence in governance," remarks Neufeld, "I think it's a winning combination."

Highlights from the2008-2009 season included:

Ticket Center Stage sold in excess of 300,000 tickets annually, totaling $8.4 million in sales.
The Physicians for Kids Discovery Series reached over 40,000 in school and home school groups during the 2008-2009 season.
The "Fueling Education" program offered free RTA bussing to over 2000 students and teachers, nearly doubling last year's total.
Dayton Public Schools honored VTA for outstanding contributions to the academic life of its students for the "In the Footsteps of Celie: Using Arts to Empower Youth" program. The program paired 50 Dayton Public School Students with 50 area university mentors in an intensive 6-week program.
Nearly 9000 people viewed the highly acclaimed Visual Voices: Dayton Skyscrapers III during February 2009.
VTA/ACF served 426,432 people in its facilities, including Victoria Theatre, Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, Metropolitan Arts Center/Loft Theatre,

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