Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

UCLA Live Loses Revered Director David Sefton

Snapshot 2010-05-28 13-04-44.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

UCLA Live Director David Sefton announced this week his resignation after controversy over the program's restructuring. Due to budget cuts the program that is known for having one the top international theatre festivals in Los Angeles is losing the man who made it what it is.

UCLA Live had a previous budget of about $9 million annually to bring in the top music, dance, and touring theater companies to the campus. But Dean of the School of Arts and Architecture Christopher Waterman, who oversees the program, said the festival is simply not making enough in sales and donations to continue the same way, according to aLos Angeles Times article. Waterman explained that the search for the new director would keep in mind the heart of program, with edgy, interesting yet quality performances. “We're certainly not going to start putting Broadway musicals on our stages to sell tickets,” Waterman told the Times, “We're an arts program.”

Sefton, however, resigned only after securing next year’s line up for the 2010-11 season and reassured that it will be just as strong as ever.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today