Only last year it was boasting an operating surplus. Last month, however, Chief Executive Rory Jeffes announced an organizational restructure, which the industry union claims could result in up to 25% of permanent staff losing their jobs.
Wednesday, October 07, 2020
As COVID Wreaks Havoc in the Performing Arts, Do We Still Need a National Opera Company?
Only last year it was boasting an operating surplus. Last month, however, Chief Executive Rory Jeffes announced an organizational restructure, which the industry union claims could result in up to 25% of permanent staff losing their jobs.
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Do we need a national opera company? That’s a really good question. It’s really devastating to think about the amount of people who have lost their jobs in the arts during this pandemic. Opera Australia is just one example of many companies going through organizational restructuring which is resulting in a loss of permanent staff members. So many companies went through an abrupt ending like Opera Australia did. I find it somewhat ironic that they use the excuse of COVID for a restructuring is frustrating because I’d rather they just be honest that a lack of money coming in is the reason why they have to let people go. The fact that Opera Australia is one of the largest and most lavishly publicly funded arts companies shows how much damage COVID has done to the arts in general. If the heavy hitters are struggling, I can’t imagine the small arts companies surviving.
This pandemic has had a devastating impact on the theater industry. Several thousand people have lost their jobs and livelihoods because this pandemic continues to wreck havoc. With that, this article definitely does not come as a surprise, because what is happening to the Opera Australia has already happened to thousands of theater or opera companies, which could not be any sadder than it already is. But it seems like this is the only way the company has left. They cannot produce shows, people are not allowed to watch the shows even if they are made, and the virtual theater experience is only so helpful. It is really sad to see what is going to happen to this opera, because who would want their company to just shut down because a pandemic is out to get its profitability, or in this case, out to get its existence. Hopefully, things will change for the better.
COVID consumes our lives, conversations, news, everything these days, and this article is no exception. Opera Australia is struggling to stay afloat amid the pandemic, and it sounds to me as though their organization's model does not allow for much wiggle room. I think the idea of decentralizing the company and being able to produce new Australian operas or mainstream content, as opposed to the narrower selection of traditional operas. I see this as a positive- they become more adaptable potentially without losing as much of their staff as they are currently anticipating, and continue to work on staying open during and after the pandemic. It does seem, though, that the larger reason for their current restructuring and letting go 25% of their permanent staff has more to do with money issues than a desire to restructure. I hope things improve for Opera Australia, as with everything and everyone struggling due to COVID.
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