After fifteen and a half years and more than ten thousand articles, DC Theatre Scene will cease publishing on December 31, 2020.
After December 31, there will be no more reviews, no more articles, no more theater news.
“We know this decision will affect many people, and I wish we could have continued to serve,” DCTS Editor and Publisher Lorraine Treanor said. “I was in the midst of preparing for my retirement after 14 years at the helm, and DCTS began recruiting. When the theaters shut down in March, revenue immediately dried up and this publication has been surviving on a mix of volunteer and paid staff since then. Facing at least another 8 months without revenue made the situation untenable.
“I couldn’t ask someone to take over the without paying an adequate salary. And I couldn’t ask others to continue volunteering their work.”
The website will remain available at least through 2021 in order make the work accessible to everyone. After that, Lorraine Treanor said, she isn’t sure. “We’ll have a little bit of money left over at the end of this year to pay for a year’s online service. [Further continuance online] will depend on how much money we have after that.”
DCTS has asked its past donors to redirect their generosity to theaters and theater makers in need , Lorraine Treanor said.
Walter “Ronnie” Ruff founded DC Theatre Scene – then called DC Theater Reviews – in June of 2005 with the avowed purpose of providing coverage for small theaters, which were at that time receiving short shrift from mainline publications. The site’s first reviews were of offerings from American Century Theater, Solas Nua, Studio SecondStage, Omaemoda Productions, and NobleHeart. Ruff, a specialist in computer hardware with a gift for website design and a taste for theater,wrote most of the early reviews and articles.
Early in the site’s existence, Ruff asked Lorraine Treanor, who had done work with Potomac Stages and the late Brian Dragonuk, to help expand and professionalize his efforts. Lorraine brought in theater maven Joel Markowitz, who had been organizing theater outings for The Ushers. The trio expanded DCTS’ mission to include all professional theater in the DC area, and recruited writers from Footlights, an organization of knowledgeable and enthusiastic theater patrons. Debbie Minter Jackson, Rosalind Lacy, and Steven McKnight all joined DCTS around that time. Jackson and McKnight continue to write for DCTS.
“I knew we were on our way when Shakespeare Theatre granted us press credentials” to review Titus Andronicus, Lorraine Treanor said. Shakespeare was the last major DC-area company to allow DCTS reviewers into its theater.
As part of its growth, DCTS changed its name (the original name was uncomfortably close to the name of a print publication then in existence) and incorporated as a DC non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. Shortly after, Ruff married and moved with his bride to Austin, Texas, leaving Lorraine Treanor in the position of Editor and Publisher.
DCTS continued to expand, enlisting such professional writers as Jayne Blanchard, Alex Kafka, Roy Maurer, and Missy Frederick, among others, and theater artists such as Christopher Henley, John Bavoso, Susan Galbraith, Brett Steven Abelman and John Geoffrion, among others. In all, 220 writers have contributed articles, reviews and news stories to DCTS. In the earlier part of DCTS’ life, actor, playwright and theatrical agent Richard Seff covered New York theater for the site. Critic Jonathan Mandell now covers New York theater for DCTS.
The site scored interviews with some of the top theater talent in the world, including Edward Albee, David Ives, and Terrence McNally. Michael Kahn and Stacy Keach both wrote extended series for DCTS, detailing the director’s and the actor’s process, respectively. And DCTS also interviewed a uniquely Washington theater kind of guy – the character actor and presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R. – Tenn). Thompson told the story of his first screen test – for the role of himself in the movie Marie, about a whistleblower he defended after his work in the Watergate hearings was over. As he watched the result with the legendary producer Francis Ford Coppola, the director explained, “that’s Fred Thompson.”
“Nah,” Coppola said. “That’s [Tennessee Governor] Blanton.” The director tried to explain that the actor he was looking at was the real Fred Thompson. Coppola wasn’t having any of it.
DC Theatre Scene’s coverage of the first DC Fringe Festival was spotty (Lorraine Treanor produced two shows in the first Fringe herself, limiting the time she had to arrange coverage for other shows) but it covered most of the 2007 Fringe and all of the subsequent Fringes, twice in collaboration with DC Metro Theatre Arts. The site eventually drew much of its staff from its Fringe crews, including longtime mainstays Hunter Styles, Ben Demers, who is now a member of DCTS’ Board of Directors, and Bavoso, who in addition to being a reviewer is a notable DC playwright. Another early Fringe reviewer for DCTS was Miranda Rose, now a playwright with a national reputation.
DCTS expanded beyond its website horizons when it pioneered the Gary Maker Award, given annually to an audience member who supported theater in the most noteworthy way. Lorraine Treanor was quick to establish that the Maker Award was not to be given for financial contributions for theater. Rather, it was to go to the person (or couple) who supported DC area theater in a personal, hands-on way, as Maker himself did in his time. David Tannous won the first award; the 2019 Award, the last given, went to Louis Altarescu and (posthumously) Alan Friedman.
DCTS also made an annual presentation at the Smithsonian Institute for three years, unveiling the season to come, with recommendations.
Lorraine Treanor established the site’s journalistic standards early. “We decided right away that we were never going to be a bulletin board,” she said, referring to the practice of some journals, which printed press releases verbatim. “We got a blizzard of press releases but we never just printed them. Each was assigned to a writer, who was responsible for fact-checking, supplementing information where necessary, and organizing the text in a way that our readers would understand and enjoy.”
Under Lorraine Treanor, DCTS would develop a distinct ethos. “We insisted that our reviewers be completely honest,” she said. “If a show was not good, our reviewers were encouraged to say so. We didn’t countenance snide or personal attacks, but our writers wrote about the shortcomings of productions or individual performances when they thought it was merited. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Lorraine Treanor’s position on this issue led to a break with Markowitz, whose “Theatre Schmooze” columns were among the site’s most popular. Markowitz believed that the site should celebrate the hard work and artistry of theatermakers, rather than point out flaws. He left to join Maryland Theatre Guide, and later co-founded DC Metro Theatre Arts with his brother. Markowitz, who died in 2018, received the Gary Maker Award from DCTS for his contributions to area theater.
DCTS had a robust readership throughout most of its existence. Over the last four years, the site averaged over a million visits and about 535,000 distinct viewers annually.
Notwithstanding the readership, financial issues buffeted the company throughout its fifteen-year existence. Annual DCTS revenues, which came mostly from advertising supplemented by grants and donations from generous supporters, never exceeded $40,000. The expense of maintaining the site’s large archival database is significant, and the site never finished its fiscal years more than a few thousand dollars in the black.
The marginal nature of the financial operation caught up with DCTS when Covid struck. All advertising halted in mid-March, although it has come back in a limited way. Notwithstanding the contributions of a few generous donors, Lorraine had to ask the staff to work without compensation. Many did, as did the site’s IT specialist, David Wolfpaw.
The coronavirus and the financial challenges it brought about were a factor in the site’s demise, but it wasn’t the only one. “Whether or not we survived the pandemic, I knew that we needed some leadership changes at DCTS,” said Lorraine, who will turn 77 next February. “I had been putting in seventy-hour weeks for years, and, although I still love our theatre community, this is just not a pace I’m able keep up any more. But the revenues were simply not enough to attract a full-time successor, which is what the site needed. At this point, it’s better to embrace our accomplishments and stand down, rather than push on in some unsatisfying way.”
I asked Lorraine what she intended to do, once she no longer worked on DC Theatre Scene.
“What I’ve done all my life,” she replied. “The next right thing.”
Oh, this is understandable but definitely a loss for the DC theatre community. I’ll always be endlessly grateful for the seriousness with which Tim and Lorraine treated the most beginning/least resourced theatre artists over the years. I started writing plays in 2005, and they supported my work with thoughtful candor and a spirit of support and respect that I always deeply appreciated. I’ll always feel so fortunate to have benefitted from their work.
A rousing “Amen” to all the previous tributes. We were stunned at the news. And saddened. But what you’ve done for theatre in the area – not to mention your readers – has been truly remarkable. What a grand and worthy achievement to look back on!
Kudos, and best wishes to you both for the Next Right Thing. See you on the trail when the theatres reopen.
Thank you Lorraine and Tim for your tremendous contributions to the DC theater world. You were pioneers and legends in the DC area. On a personal note, thank you for your support, encouragement, mentoring and love that you extended to my beloved younger brother Joel. You both hold a special place in our family’s heart. Enjoy your next adventure!! Warmly, Bruce
It is with a heavy heart we say “farewell” to the go-to spot for all the latest DC-area theatre news, DC Theatre Scene, managed so brilliantly for years by its editor, Lorraine Treanor. We will miss the insightful and cleverly written reviews of her husband, Tim. Bless them, both, for their major and lasting contribution to DC’s theatre scene. They will be sorely missed as well as the other excellent writers and reviewers whose work we have enjoyed reading through the years! We hope they will resurface at other online theatre outlets when there is a theatre Renaissance in hopefully 2021!
Thank you for the great work and integrity.
Good Morning Lorraine and Tim, I was greatly saddened, somewhat shocked (perhaps startled is more accurate word as to my reaction) on reading that DC Theater Scene is closing its door. What a loss for both myself and all others. However, I am heartened to read Lorraine’s parting words to her husband’s question as to what she will be doing next. “What I’ve done all my life,” she replied. “The next right thing.” All I gotta say is You Go Girl!
Wishing you and Tim Season Greetings and A Earthshakingly Wondrous New Year Filled with LOVE, Fast Eddy NYC
Thank you so much, Lorraine and Tim, for the opportunity and pleasure of working with you both. For me, DC Theatre Scene was a priceless and exciting space to find my writing voice, and I feel incredibly fortunate and well taken care of as part of your Fringe coverage crew, fresh out of college at a time when I felt I only really knew DC peripherally. Getting off the hilltop to cut my teeth and practice the ‘art of looking’ — first at Fringe and later at theaters around the region — honestly stands as the most consistently culturally enriching aspect of the life I found and made in DC. You are true stewards, smart and funny thinkers, and you brought clarity and mentorship into my life at a time when I really needed it. Bless you both. I carry the spirit and the pedagogy of the DCTS writer’s life into everything I do now, and whatever I do next. Based on the outpouring of posts here, I see I am not alone. I couldn’t be less surprised. Love you both, always. — H.
Lorraine and Tim – I hope you take some comfort from and feel a sense of pride about the comments above – they show how much all you have done has been appreciated by the entire theater community of the “Potomac Region.”
Brad Hathaway
Sorry to see DCTS leave us!
DCTS has been a wonderful asset to the local theatre community. It’s impact has been enormous and it has been particularly good at drawing attention to small theatres doing excellent work – companies often ignored by the mainstream press.
Thanks for all the years of great reporting and insightful reviews!
I have tremendous respect for Lorraine Treanor and DCTS. The quality reviews and insightful articles have made a significant contribution to professional theatres and its theatregoers. As publisher of the MD Theatre Guide, I understand the unprecedented challenges that theatre companies and theatre review publications face. I want to thank Lorraine and the DCTS staff for their contributions to the community. The reviews that you have published will remain remembered, respected, and valued.
How sad to hear you, Lorraine and Tim, will no longer be my main source for theatre news in the Washington area. As said by others, you will be very, very much missed and I sincerely thank you for all your have done to help make the Washington area a joy for us theatre lovers.
Best wishes and happy retirement with the hope I shall see you “at the theatre”
I am very sorry to hear this! Thank you for your contributions to our community! I will miss you!
So sorry to hear this. I totally understand. You both were so vital to DCs Theatre scene. A bright shining star that illuminated and supported the work of so many within the Metro Area. Both you and Tim were always so warm and supportive. Your site provided intelligence and interesting feedback to the work of so many. Providing endless copy to work that was often kept to a brief blurb. I just can’t imagine a time without your site.
Thank you, Lorraine.
Never knew Lorraine nor anything about her. Nevertheless, for better than a decade DCTS has been my first point of inquiry, investigation or to simply browes and caruse before I head into DC from Richmond for anything theatre, stage or art. I wouldn’t be able to pick out Lorraine’s face in a line-up or on a bio page in a Playbill, but if someone I wanted to make an immediate impression on needed to know where to search for current, reliable DC arts community information, I would confidently direct them to DCTS. I’d direct them to Lorraine. So, what I know is this; if Lorraine puts out a call for assistence with a plan to revive the site, I’ll sign up to help with what I can. I know who Lorraine is now. hank you, Lorraine.
I appreciated this wonderful resource!
Thank you, Lorraine and Tim. Your work and that of your contributors is immeasurable, and you will be missed. You created something so vital and respected for the DC Theatre community. Thanks, personally and professionally, from a fellow Southern Marylander.
Lorraine and Tim so sorry to hear COVID has impacted DCTS in this way. It has always been one of the most supportive of small theatres, including DMV community theatre. You will definitely be missed. I hope you enjoy your retirement until your next venture.
Thank you for doing so much for DMV theatre over the years. Your reviews and other articles will be sorely missed. ??
Oh, I am saddened to hear this news, however understandable it may be in these difficult times. You have performed a great service for our community and I will sorely miss visiting your site for theatre news. DC Theatre Scene has always been one of my first go-to sites to check out what’s happening. Be well, Lorraine and Tim, and know that your work has been appreciated by many a theatre lover in our area.
Oh Lorraine and Tim this makes me so sad. You have made such a contribution with your commitment to all theatre and it’s artists. The excellence of your reviewers and writers has been unsurpassed. Wishing you the best and fully expect to continue seeing you at press openings once theatres reopen, coming just for the fun of it. Love you both and many many thanks for a job well done.
Carolyn Griffin
MetroStage
(And thank you for including the photo from our tribute to Joel Markowitz at MetroStage. It was wonderful collaborating with you and giving our beloved Joel such a memorable evening.)
Thank you, Lorraine and Tim! So sad to see DC Theatre Scene go, but I hope you can take this pause in the work to revel a bit in your wonderful reputations as people who changed DC theatre for the better in countless ways.
Thanks for all of your tremendous contributions to the theatre scene. You were a lifeblood for small and medium sized theatres for whom a review is absolutely crucial. We wish you well in your next endeavors!!
I am so grateful for all of your coverage. You made DC theater better. Thank you, thank you.
We’ll miss you
Thank you for your dedicated support and journalism over the last 15 years!
You will be so missed.
I visited DC to direct a play for Solas Nua in 2007 when I was first starting out as a director and remember Lorraine and Tim and being some of the kindest people I met in my time there. Tim reviewed my show in that rare way that directors dream of – when the critic just GETS what you were trying to do – and Lorraine came to my apartment and interviewed me (with Callie Kimball) for the DC Theatre Scene Podcast before podcasts were even a thing and knowing I was new in town, told me what theatre I should try to see and made some calls to get me comps for some shows. I’ll never forget their kindness. Whenever I think of DC and wonder what theatre is going on there DC Theatre Scene is my go to website. Thanks for everything and good luck with the next thing. Des
Thank you for all you have done for DC theatre
Sending all good wishes. Thank you for all the hard work over the years.
Enormous thanks to you and everyone who filed reviews and interviews with you. Thank you for helping shine light on the amazing arts scene DC has to offer, and for keeping arts journalism flowing. You improved the lives of artists and audience members alike with your work. You will be sorely missed!
Mark Chalfant
Washington Improv Theater
Both personally and professionally, I’m so grateful for the fine work of DCTS and everyone who wrote for it. Thank you.
Sad to see this happen – but there comes a time and it’s here – wishing you a great “retirement.” And, hope yo see you at the theater in 2021 …
I’d like to thank you all for your dedication and hard work. It was truly a blessing to have so many people dedicated to writing about and reviewing theatre in DC. A small theatre company like mine was lucky to have people interested in our work and willing to write about it! I will miss reading the site and the thoughtful writing.
Best wishes,
Karen Lange
Artistic Director
Pinky Swear Productions
Thank you, Lorraine and Tim, for the significant contribution you have made to our corner of the theatre world. Your voices will be much missed by the entire theatre community.