CATCO and Phoenix to Merge in 2010

The boards of the Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO) and The Phoenix Theatre for Children have approved a new initiative to merge the two non-profit Columbus theatre companies into a single 501(c)3 corporation in 2010. Under the new business model, CATCO, a professional Equity theatre company founded in 1984, and The Phoenix Theatre for Children, a family-focused theatre company established in 1993, will pool their artistic, financial, and human resources to better serve central Ohio theatre-goers of all ages.

"These companies have a combined 41 years of service in Columbus," stated Milt Baughman, Interim President of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. "This proposed new business model will allow audiences to begin learning about the theatre arts as young as kindergarten and grow with the company well into adulthood."

Combining resources will allow the companies to broaden programming to include larger cast productions and musicals, investing in more community actors while expanding established audiences. It will also provide the opportunity to create a more robust educational program.

"This is an exciting work in progress, one which I feel brings real opportunity for both companies to broaden our horizons," stated Trip Lazarus, President of the Phoenix Board of Directors. "By combining our skills and resources, we'll create a highly efficient organization which will enable us to provide quality theatre to wider audiences and better serve the central Ohio community."

As approved by the boards, Phoenix Artistic Director and founder Steven C. Anderson will become Artistic Director of the new corporation. Anderson has 28 years of experience in Columbus theatre, including company administration, development, and creative vision. He has also managed several innovative collaborations with other Columbus arts organizations and established educational partnerships with multiple Ohio social service agencies.

CATCO Managing Director T.J. Gerckens will continue that role within the newly merged company. Gerckens has served CATCO for 12 years in various roles including Managing Director, Production Manager, and Lighting Designer.

CATCO Artistic Director and founder Geoff Nelson has been asked to serve as Artistic Director Emeritus. "Geoff's keen leadership and artistic innovation have been integral to the success of CATCO in the 25 years since he founded the company," stated Bob Saik, President of The catCO Board of Directors. "We look forward to his continued involvement in this exciting new chapter of the company's growth."

The boards will continue to work on the logistics of the merger including board leadership and size, the expansion of educational opportunities, and programming selection for the 2010-11 season. Both CATCO and Phoenix will each continue to present under their already established brands. CAPA has been providing personalized back office services for both companies-seven years for CATCO and five years for Phoenix-and will continue to do so for the newly merged company.

"We celebrate the commitment of collaboration that this merger represents," said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. "This shows once again that the arts can be resilient and very smart when it comes to facing the realities and opportunities of the times."

Both companies will retain their current office space-CATCO at the Riffe Center and Phoenix at the Columbus Performing Arts Center-and continue to present public performances at the Riffe Center's Studio Theatres. The merger will not affect subscriptions, single ticket prices, or season programming for either company in the 2009-10 season.

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