OSF Recieves Insurance Payout For Losses Sustained From Beam Crisis

Executive Director Paul Nicholson reported to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival company on March 2 that the organization has received two checks from the Great American Insurance Company for losses sustained from closure of the Angus Bowmer Theatre for six weeks, beginning June 18, 2011, due to a cracked supporting beam.

The first check was in the amount of $328,295 for the beam repair, and the second check was for $2,342,628 to cover costs associated with alternate venues and lost revenues. The total claim was $3,581,804, and Nicholson says that the Festival is still in discussions with the insurance company relating to the claim balance of approximately $900,000.

“We are relieved and grateful for this outcome,” said Nicholson. “The payment will go a long way toward replenishing the cash reserves that were so severely depleted last summer. OSF is also indebted to the many company members who stepped up to assist with the claim in the weeks and months following June 18, 2011.

“And as we arrive at closure around this extraordinary crisis, I want to again thank everyone in the community who helped OSF and acted with such a generous spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”

On the heels of a record-breaking 2010 75th anniversary season, OSF was confident that the 2011 season might be as successful. By March, the 47 performances of To Kill a Mockingbird were sold out, and the season looked to be heading into record territory. By June 12 attendance to date was at 93% of capacity. Then on Saturday, June 18, the 70 foot-long main supporting beam in the Angus Bowmer Theatre cracked from end to end, and the theatre was closed for 62 performances.

Immediately after the closure, OSF offered 31 free re-staged versions of the Bowmer productions (Measure for Measure, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Imaginary Invalid, August: Osage County, and in late July, The African Company Presents Richard III) in alternate venues in Ashland. Seeking a more stable, temporary home for the Bowmer shows, OSF worked with the community and various companies to erect a large, 600 seat tent in Lithia Park adjacent to the Festival grounds. Named Bowmer in the Park, the tent opened on July 7 and closed Sunday, July 31.The Angus Bowmer Theatre re-opened on August 2.

The shut down resulted in more than $2,400,000 in lost revenue, as well as the additional costs of $328,000 for repair of the cracked beam and $867,000 for the tent and alternate venues.

Photo: Jenny Graham

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