For Immediate Release Contact: Thom O’Connor

518-382-3884, x166
toconnor@proctors.org

Capital Repertory Theatre, Proctors Team

To Ensure Viability of Arts in Capital Region
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Teamwork, Shared Services and Optimism Characterize Nascent Relationship

Schenectady, NY -- Two esteemed Capital Region entities have joined forces to sustain
the state of the performing arts and to explore economies of scale and shared solutions
with an eye on the long-term viability and expansion of cultural life in the Capital Region
and within its rapidly expanding Tech Valley.

In a joint letter to stakeholders, Jim Morrill, President, Capital Repertory Theatre Board
of Trustees and Rick Carlstrom, President, Proctors Board of Directors announced that
Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre, which has been producing excellent professional
theatre for more than 30 years, and Schenectady-based Proctors arts and
entertainment complex have reached an agreement to increase efficiencies, reduce
duplication, improve Capital Rep's financial prospects and increase its artistic
opportunities — while enabling Proctors to continue to develop a more regional vision.

According to the letter, the organizations entered into a management services

agreement on January 15, whereby Proctors will assume management of Capital Rep’s
administrative functions — including ticketing, finance, marketing, development,
education programming and group sales — the core competencies required to run a
performing arts organization. Proctors has, in place, methods and systems to provide
these functions effectively and efficiently. The agreement is effectively immediately.
“We are proud of the work that both of our organizations are doing to enhance the quality
of life through the arts in our communities, to support education for school children
throughout the Capital District and to support the arts in general,”the principals told
patrons and subscribers of both these organizations

“News reports, however, make it abundantly clear that success is fragile, they wrote.
“Arts organizations have to remain flexible to respond to the realities of funding, the
vagaries of taste and opportunities for collaboration.The State of New York, for instance,
has significantly reduced its support for the arts and, like other arts organizations,
Capital Rep has lost its municipal support, experienced declines in private giving and
recorded losses along the way.

“For the past year it has been clear to both of us that a new paradigm was needed to
ensure that excellent professional theater plays a role in the future of our region. Neither
of our organizations can imagine Tech Valley without both organizations thriving.”

As planned, Capital Rep will continue to operate as an independent organization. Its

artistic leadership, supported by its Board, will continue to create excellent professional
theatre for the region from its location on North Pearl Street in downtown Albany.
Proctors will continue to operate with its own Board and administrative leadership.

Will patrons, ticket buyers, and supporters see changes? Yes and no, say the principals
in their letter: phone calls to the box office may be answered by a new person with a
different welcome message. While contributions will go to each organization's individual
bank accounts, letters of acknowledgement and fulfillment might be written by someone
different. These changes, however, are expected to support the work of the Capital
Rep's artistic staff to deliver great theatre and continue to support the growing activities
of Proctors.

“This is a big step for our organizations…,” the letter said. “For the many supporters of
both organizations, [this] means that… continued support will be as critical to the future
of Capital Rep and to Proctors as it ever has been. And now, you can have even more
confidence that we are being efficient and responsible with that support.”