Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Euan Kerr
Minneapolis, Minn.

Southern Theater misses its fundraising goal

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minneapolis' Southern Theater laid off five staff members and cut the hours of the remaining four Wednesday after falling short on a $400,000 emergency fundraising drive.

In a posting on its website, Southern leadership announced the theater raised about $95,000 by its self-imposed deadline of Saturday evening, and is still confident it can eventually meet the $400,000 goal.

However, Executive Director Gary Peterson said the board felt the staff reductions were the responsible thing to do as the Southern develops a sustainable business model.

"One of the things we will be working on in a very focused way in the next two weeks is flush out the framework of what that new structure will be," Peterson said.

The Southern Theater launched its appeal almost three weeks ago in the face of overwhelming debts and the request from the McKnight Foundation for the return of $300,000 intended to fund dance grants.