HORSE CAVE, Ky. (AP) — A lack of funding has caused the closure of a well-known professional theater in south-central Kentucky.
The Daily News (http://bit.ly/Zq6Psu) reports the Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave won't present a 37th season in 2013 due to financial woes.
Theater board president Lyn Taylor Long said officials sought funding from the community and businesses, and through grants and foundations, but it wasn't able to raise enough to stay open.
"It's a very sad, sad time for us. We cannot put on a 2013 season," Long said. "It's certainly not something we want to do. Sometimes we don't have control over it. You have to have money to pay the electric bill, money to pay employees, production costs. Monthly expenses go on whether you put on a performance or not."
The facility, formerly known as Horse Cave Theatre, had similar funding woes in 2009, but was able to raise the $350,000 it needed to pay basic expenses.
"We're not the only nonprofit experiencing funding problems," Long said. "Sometimes you cannot come back from that."
Brian Weber, owner of Tortellini's restaurant in Horse Cave, said he thinks there will be a significant economic impact from the closure.
Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry said the theater was one of the town's big attractions.
"It's got to have some impact, but I don't really think it's going to devastate us. It will take some time to work through this process," he said. "Maybe we can come back and do something else besides Kentucky Repertory Theatre."
Long said the theatre had enriched the lives of the more than 250,000 students who had come to see performances.
"For many students, it was the first time they had seen live theater. That has been the most crushing blow to us," she said. "The magic of the theater will be greatly missed."
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Information from: Daily News, http://www.bgdailynews.com
