Decision was unanimous

By Ramelle Bintz
rbintz@doorcountyadvocate.com

The Door Community Auditorium Board of Directors on Monday decided to restructure the staff and the organization of the concert hall in Fish Creek.

Five full-time positions were eliminated, and Managing Director Dick Sandretti was hired for 90 days as interim executive director. Board President Kaaren Northrop said Sandretti was authorized to hire two staff positions to help him continue programming.

"It's no surprise if you look at any newspaper that nonprofits are having a tough time right now, just as any other organization," Northrop said. "It's been a difficult decision, but it was a unanimous one made by the board. The board has a responsibility to the community to ensure the financial stability of the DCA as we move forward into our 20th season."

The DCA has a full slate of shows, lecture and coffeehouse series events planned for the winter season and are in the midst of programming the 20th Mainstage Season. The restructuring will not affect the performance schedule, ticket sales or events under way.

"We are not closing. We are open for business," she said. "Every nonprofit that sells an event and is relying on donations cannot make enough revenue on sales alone. We rely on donated dollars, and we have a responsibility to be viable to our donors so they feel their investment is a good one."

The DCA is a community auditorium, she said, and the sustainability of it is up to the community. Seasonal tourists contribute, but it is primarily a community nonprofit organization, she said, that may rely more heavily on volunteers in the future. Slumping donations, rather than ticket sales, were the problem.

"We have to be structured to survive this stuff," she said. "There was a long period in the '90s and early 2000 where times were good. But this year, we found out those days are clearly over. This is an internal change that will make us financially stronger. Right now, it's just a very difficult time, just as it is for many for-profit businesses."

The 750-seat auditorium opened in 1991 after a $2.7 million campaign to build the community arts theater on Wisconsin 42. It has hosted a myriad of international performers, as well as homegrown Door County performers.