Theater company explains position

Alpine Theatre Project would like to respond to the recent articles regarding occupancy of the Whitefish Performing Arts Center during the summer.

As the Performing Arts Center was being developed, the citizen committee wanted to identify a non-school anchor tenant in addition to the schools that would assure regular occupancy and a steady income stream, much like the arrangement with the O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center when it was built. Alpine Theatre Project was the only organization that agreed to lease the venue every summer and during the rest of the year subject to school use.

So, in 2006, the Whitefish School District and ATP entered a multi-year contract giving ATP occupancy of the PAC between the second week of June and the third week of August for a set rental rate.

During this period, ATP produces between three and four shows using talent from Broadway and other professional venues, employing more than 60 people and generating more than an estimated $1 million every summer for the local economy.

Between performance runs, ATP dismantles the set from the previous show, immediately begins constructing a new set for the upcoming show, sets up the lights and sound for the new show, and rehearses these technical elements. The PAC never sits idle during the period of ATP’s occupancy.

This year, Glacier Symphony & Chorale approached ATP about using the PAC on Aug. 5 and 6, a Friday and Saturday that would be in the middle of the technical rehearsal process explained above. To accommodate that schedule, ATP would have to halt its operations for nearly one week, all the while paying professional musicians, actors and technicians to sit idle.

As much as ATP wanted to cooperate in this instance, it felt that this was fiscally irresponsible and would violate the mandate given by the community through its support to fulfill ATP’s mission in a fiscally responsible manner.

But, because the ATP Board of Directors has resolved to work with all arts organizations for the benefit of our community as long as it does not interfere with ATP’s productions, contract with the school or financial stability, ATP offered the GSC five options for use of the PAC, and it asked that the GSC reimburse ATP for any resulting costs.

The five options were that GSC claim dates when ATP was not occupying the PAC before or after the contract dates; that GSC perform the weekend before Aug. 5 and 6 or a few days earlier in the week of Aug. 5 and 6; that GSC perform Aug. 5 and 6 with ATP’s set and lights up; or that GSC perform in the PAC on Aug. 5 and 6 free of ATP’s set and lights, with the Symphony reimbursing ATP for the financial loss caused by the week’s delay. GSC decided against all of the options and found a different venue.

But all’s well that ends well. GSC will perform its concert under the stars in Depot Park on Aug. 6. At the same time, ATP’s productions will proceed without compromise, and Whitefish will experience the best in theater and music.

ATP is humbled by the support it receives, and will remain committed to working with all arts organizations, when possible, for the benefit of this special community.

Suzanne Kameon is chairwoman of the Alpine Theatre Project board and Sean Frampton is president of ATP.