Seattle Theatre Group Reduces Staff Amid Coronavirus Uncertainty

SEATTLE, WA — One of Seattle's top arts and entertainment organizations will severely reduce staffing and delay the announcement of its upcoming performance season, due to financial strain and continued uncertainty from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Seattle Theatre Group, which operates The Paramount, Moore and Neptune venues, announced furloughs for 70 percent of its staff Thursday, with no clear timeline for when plays, concerts and other performances can safely resume.

"While many businesses throughout Washington begin reopening, the closures of performing arts organizations and venues continue with an understandable lack of clarity on when the arts sector may safely reopen with full capacity," a news release reads.

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By mid-July, STG will shrink its staff from 206 to 61 employees. All workers who are furloughed will retain their benefits. Workers who are not furloughed, and make more than $60,000 annually, will see pay cuts.

"With the extraordinary support of our donors, financial reserves, and a PPP loan/grant, we have been able to keep our staff fully employed to this point," said Josh LaBelle, executive director at STG. "Like many institutions, we have reached a point in which we must reduce expenses and conserve resources in an effort to ensure long-term financial stability."

STG said reduced staffing will allow for continued maintenance of its three theatres, continuing community programs and the creation of new health and safety protocols when it reopens.

The theatre group's Broadway series has already undergone several changes, and the first scheduled performance for the season is "My Fair Lady," in March 2021. STG said concerts and comedy shows will be adjusted on a show-by-show basis, based upon state and local COVID-19 guidance.

"The season includes a roster of performances from numerous artists companies, and tours — many of which are currently unable to plan or rehearse due to closures and social distancing challenges," STG wrote. "With all of these shifting factors, STG feels it would be irresponsible to ask patrons to purchase numerous shows, knowing that there may be further adjustments to show schedules."

Under Phase 2 of Washington's Safe Start plan, public gatherings are limited to five or fewer people. In the next phase, gatherings up to 50 can resume, but concert venues remain barred. Only under the final phase, which lifts capacity restrictions on all gatherings, will most events be allowed to resume.

Since STG closed its doors in March, the non-profit says more than 140 events were canceled, and 135 were rescheduled.