Mr. Hayes assertion that the financial crisis is because of an over run on scholarships is extremely suspect. CPH raised a reported $85,000 through curtain speeches last summer. Where has that money gone? Additionally, they have been late on their rent for a year or more. Giving money to this non-profit is a waste. They simply do not have smart fiscal management. They never have.

"Hayes says providing scholarships for children in need wasn't a wise financial decision, but it had been a standing policy never to turn away a child looking to participate."

Mr. Hayes blames the issues on kids who want to experience performing arts education but can't afford it? Either the above quote is just a poorly written sentence or a tacky, unthoughtful sentence from Mr. Hayes. Providing scholarships to those youngsters is not unwise; it's unwise of an organization to not have a handle on the amount of scholarship applicants who they can accept realistically at a given time.

I also agree with olyartlover that there is indeed poor fiscal managment within the organization which is truly ashame. On top of that, ridiculously stated explanations coming from Hayes (like the one quote from above) will merely hurt the Playhouse even more. Olympic Playhouse should take some much needed time and reorganize/ restrategize their financial situation and mission ASAP and stop blaming it on the kiddies.

This is Ned Hayes, and just to address the point re. fundraising. There was not $85k raised through curtain speeches -- there was considerably less. Those funds were used to pay expenses. It costs money to put on a show, and we put on 5 of them. I happen to AGREE with you that this non-profit has not been managed well from a fiscal perspective. If we were continuing along the same path, i would not be investing my money here either. Absolutely agree. This is why a newly active Board at the Playhouse is taking a very strong stance on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and building a sustainable -- and responsible -- plan for the future.

I'm aware of the costs involved inputting on a production. Proper budgeting woud dictate that your budgets should not excede the amount you take in from enrollment. The 85k amount is what the Playhouse was telling the public that they raised. Bragging? Stretching the truth? In any case the curtain speeches claimed the very same thing CPH is claiming now- back bills, cancelled shows etc. etc. How many times can you ask the community to bail you out Mr. Hayes? Once. That's how many. A

I was not a member of the Board during the summer ask, OlyArtLover. I know what I can tell you -- in a public forum -- about the finances. Obviously, you are frustrated by this situation, and by the fact that a great place with great programs hasn't managed its money well. So am I.

That is why I joined the Board of Capital Playhouse at the end of the summer. We very much agree that we should not be approaching the public for donations on a regular basis: the Board had no other options at this time. Along with my fellow Board members, we are taking action to bring fiscal responsibility to a wonderful organization that has gone awry financially. I think the Board agrees with you. We need passionate people like you to help us move in the right direction.

I think we all agree on these facts:
1) Capital Playhouse has extraordinary programs for Olympia's youth: Kids in Koncert, Kids at Play, Page to Stage, Students on Stage, workshops and classes. These programs are outstanding and our youth are so lucky to have these available to them. If these programs go away, there will be nothing (currently) to directly replace them. 2) The way Kingsbury has managed CP has been poor to say the least. He has not been forthright and has done much to damage the community's trust in him.

What I am hearing from Mr. Hayes is that the board knows this and is actively trying to change the way CP is managed.

I urge you to remember that CP is WAY more than one person. WAY more than Jeff Kingsbury. There are hundreds of good, caring, sensible people involved at CP, and there are hundreds of local youth who would be heart-broken to see it go. Right now is the time to help the playhouse. Lets see them get new management, a new plan for positive financial footing, and a new healthy future for our community of arts and youth.

In a time when essiential services for children, like health care, access to food, afterschool care and the like are threatened... not to mentioned other servcies to families, like unemployment benifits... it seems a little strange to dump money into a very optional theater program that has mis manamged thier funds.

MrFicker, I can certainly understand your point-of-view, however it's really vital to keep the arts alive, especially for our children. If Capital Playhouse has to go (which would be tremendous loss to Olympia's arts community), I really hope that for our children's sake, that the good people involved with that organization are able to rise up and continue the same programs. I have children who are heavily involved there (in spite of - not in support of - Jeff Kingsbury) and the loss of those programs would be devastating - to my family and to all the other families who participate. Sadly, we often don't know the value of these things until they're gone.

The programs there are not just exposing children to the arts. They are creating confident, reliable, aritculate youth who go out and become capable leaders. Look at the big picture.

ForOlyYouth is correct about Kingsbury. But this begs the question: Is he still Artistic Director? A "new" board is great but this is an issue of LEADERSHIP! It also should be mentioned that while CP's programs would leave a void in the amount of programs available to children in Olympia, they would NOT vanish. South Sound school districts have amazing theater programs and there are two other summer programs for kid's interested in theater (CTE and Harlequin's Shakespeare program). I understand that it may seem like I'm beating a dead horse here but I feel strongly that the public should know the truth. I suspect Mr. Hayes doesn't even know the whole truth.

Because our family is involved in the playhouse programs I know Mr. Hayes. He and all of the other board members are good, honest people. I'm sure that because he is board member, Hayes is somewhat limited in what he can say in a public forum. I know for a fact that Kingsbury is on a board-mandated "leave". Whether or not he will be returning to the playhouse is not certain. Rest assured, the board DOES know that the management there (specifically, JK) has been atrocious. Hayes and the other board members are not the enemy here. Please offer them your support and encouragement. They are working tirelessly right now to repair years of poor management - and none of them have anything to do with the mistakes made.

As a parent, I do realize there are other options - especially at the high school level. WIth the exception of the school theater programs, I think the other local programs (i.e. CTE, OFT) are not nearly the same quality. Also, we'd be losing more than just the summer youth theater program. There's also Kids in Koncert and Season in a Box shows. There is no other theater in town that does all musical theater like this.

So, as of right now, if CP goes under, there is no immediate and direct replacement for all of what they do. Also, there are some really gifted people there. Troy Fisher, Heidi Fredricks, Bruce Haasl and many others. If we lose CP, we need to rally to keep these people here - doing what they are gifted at and passionate about.

I hope that, as a community that really cares about our children and our arts community, we can rally together to support what the playhouse has been doing for the past 24 year and all of wonderful people involved there. That may mean a new name and new management, but if we lose their programs for good, this town will be lesser for it.

ForOlyYouth, I understand that you are advocating for CP but to state that CTE et al aren't the same quality as CP is not only patently false but frankly, iirresponsible. My point is that CP IS NOT the only theater company or kids program in town. Nor are they of a higher caliber. There are also extremely talented people working for little or nothing at the many theater organizations in the reqion. I hate to see ANY theater go under, anywhere in the country but you and the other CP employees and supporters seem to be saying that if CP goes under there will be NOTHING left. Not true. Furthermore, as a parent you must be aware of the years worth of complaints from kids about demeaning, innapropriate behavior on certain staff members parts. THAT, ForOlyYouth, our community can definitely do without.

I guess we just disagree on the quality issue. I firmly believe that, as far as KAP goes, it is far superior to any other summer youth theater program in Olympia. I'm not trying to put anyone down. That's just my opinion.

My kids have participated in KAP for for years and have never experienced demeaning or inappropriate behavior from staff. It's true that they are pushed hard and there are very high expectations. Not everyone wants that. I wouldn't recommend the program for everyone. For our family, it has been nothing but positive.

I also think it says a lot that it's been going on for 24 years - and that the same kids look forward to coming back year after year. Many of the KAP graduates even come back to help out. It's a wonderful, suportive community and my kids love it.

#1 - Mr. Hayes is a good man, with the best intentions possible. What you "suspect" or think you know of him is plainly wrong. He is an educated man, with a heart of gold on this matter. He children involved in the programs that could be closed down. He cares more about providing than hiding. "Suspect" him of nothing less than doing his duty with aplomb.

MrFicker: It's a shame that you can't see how arts are a necessary part of the socio-psychological wellbeing of any community. You need to get over your view of how the economy and life works, and begin embracing the importance of creative, artistic expression.

OlyArtLover: You are misinformed, and uneducated about everything you are writing about in this forum. I suggest you revist your posts, and seek information rather than opinion. You will find that you are wrong on most accounts.

No Mr. McManus, I am not wrong on most points. In fact I am right on all points and have received this information FIRST HAND from former employees and parents of children who have participated in KAP. That's the truth and while your blind loyalty is admirable, it also betrays the fact that by defending the behaviour I mentioned, you ultimately enable it. I'd also like to point out that I never questioned Mr Hayes' character. I am speaking of /to him only in reference to CP.

olyartlover, the negative treatment of kids that you described is not happening anymore. I do know that there used to be a lot more of that stuff going on, but that has changed. Believe me, if my children were being treated in an abusive way, they would certainly not being continuing there. Quite the contrary, my children feel loved, supported, and safe when they are with CP staff. I think it's really important to get that out there. It is true that there is history of negative treatment, but that's just not the case anymore.

You obviously care a great deal about the arts in Olympia. It sounds to me like your only issue is with Kingsbury. If he does not return to the playhouse, I challenge you to gather up-to-date information about what's going on there and get involved.

There is no question that the playhouse brings many positive things to our community. Lets not impact hundreds of people negatively for the mistakes of one person. Let's move forward and make CP an even better place. It's not going to help ANYONE if we all sit back and watch it fail.

I respect your loyalty. I'm also am glad to hear that the 24 years of bad management and treatment of kids is over, providing this it true. But it isn't realistic to expect this history to magically go away. If what your saying is true then why in the world isn't that the message from the new board? What we get is an ask letter with JK listed as artistic director, Hayes blaming the money problems on too many scholarships and an overall mixed message about the situation at CP. It isn't my responsibilty to seek out current facts about CP, its CP's responsibility to get their "new" message out. In closing, I encourage you to approach this from a broader perspective. The information listed above is widely known in the Olympia arts community. Dismissing people's opinion about JK and CP as outdated isn't going to get your point across. When trust is eroded, you have to earn it back and it simply isn't going to happen overnight.

Mr. Ficker, oh how wrong you are. Who cares if a kid has enough to eat, as long as they can sing and dance their worries away. :o)

On a serious note, I'm sure other programs in town could match the level of CP if they had the funding. If you question how your dollars are being spent, move them to another organization.

Totally, Amanda. I don't question the way my funds are being spent there. Not only do I pay tuition for the programs, but I donate to the playhouse above and beyond that. I wouldn't do that if I thought there was any extortion going on. I know they are being spent wisely. There are just a couple of things that happened that put them significantly under water and mangagement has had to rob Peter to pay Paul, so to speak, in order to keep going. There is nothing dishonest going on there. Just a few poor decisions that got them into trouble that they haven't been able to climb out of.

You might be right in your comment about the quality level. The other programs just aren't there yet. But with funding I'm sure they could. They've got fantastic people (I'm specifically thinking of CTE and OFT). I think it's also about the philosophy too though. CP approach their productions from a very professional stance. No matter that they're kids. I also think this is where some disconnect with parents occurs. The kids involved at the playhouse are pushed hard. There is no question about that. Some kids (and some parents) don't like that. But a lot of kids love being pushed to their greatest potential - and in the end, the kids that come out of that program are extremely disciplined, conscientious, focused, articulate, confident and VERY proud of what they have accomplished.

Thanks for the great discussion points, Amanda!

Oh, and to olyartlover (I just saw your recent post), I don't disagree with you at all. It's very true that it will take time to build trust again. That's what the supporters of the playhouse are trying to do! That's what I'm trying to do! Give us a chance. That's all I'm asking. Please. Open your heart and mind. Things are changing for the better, but we won't be able to do it unless we have support. Geez, you make the whole place sound evil. There are TONS of good people there - past and present. Stop bashing the place. Maybe you should spend a full day there and find out what it's really like.

Also, as I said earlier in the thread. I am not certain the board has made a final decision on Jeff. I have a hunch. I'm sure they are not able to broadcast anything publicly until that decision is final.