How Florida’s Arts and Culture Budget Cuts are Impacting the Local and Loved Limelight Theatre

By Alexis Bensoussan

With the arts and culture budget cuts from the state of Florida, the local Limelight Theatre must reduce shows, costumes, sets and other necessities for their productions, making it difficult to share their love of the arts with a community of people who adore and cherish them.

But one of the biggest concerns has been how budget cuts will affect their community of theatre enthusiasts who rely on the Limelight as a place of mental wellbeing.

“We believe that the community environment at the Limelight is really essential to the mental health of artists. We really provide a haven, a safe haven for people who need a sense of belonging and purpose, and a place of expression,” said Sherrie Provence, Limelight Theatre’s executive director. “We know for a fact that the Limelight theatre has made that kind of difference in people’s lives where they have said, ‘The Limelight theatre saved my life.'”

The Limelight is a local community theatre that brings eight mainstage productions each season to their audiences, but the theatre serves as more than a viewing place for musicals and plays. Many people regard the Limelight as a beacon of light in the community of St. Augustine.

“We know that [Limelight] is making an impact in the community,” Provence said. “It’s created a family for them.”

Missy Schmotzer, the director of education at the Limelight, was not too happy when she heard the news of the budget cuts.

“Oh, I was furious,” Schmotzer said. “It’s very disheartening to think that that would even be an option. It’s heartbreaking to think that something that brings so much joy to people that such a cavalier choice could be made.”

For the children who participate in the education program, this theatre has served as a fundamental and safe learning environment where they learn to be confident in themselves. In their formative middle school years, Schmotzer believes it is especially important.

“I think providing a space for any kid to come and be a part of something that they’re passionate about, that molds them into more confident people,” Schmotzer said. “Sometimes there is a reputation of theatre kids being a little different. But here, it’s celebrated. I think funneling that energy and that passion into something that they truly love is a great way for them to escape whatever is happening at school that may not be their thing.”

The Limelight Theatre has been up and running since 1992, bringing theatre and the arts to the city of St. Augustine. But on June 12, 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million for the state’s next budget for arts and culture organizations.

Gov. DeSantis moved to cut Florida arts funding due to worries of taxpayer dollars going towards “sexual festivals,” according to Artnet News.

“You have your tax dollars being given in grants to things like the Fringe Festival, which is like a sexual festival where they’re doing all this stuff,” DeSantis said at a news conference in June. “When I see money being spent that way, I have to be the one who stands up for taxpayers and says, ‘You know what, that is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.’”

The Limelight expected to receive nearly $90,000 for the 2024-2025 season, but since the budget cuts, they have not received a single penny.

“So when we planned our season and planned our year, we were counting on that extra money that we were going to hopefully get that was, of course, taken away before we ever even got it,” said Provence.

Schmotzer had to trim her budget for the education program, but she is grateful that she did not have to cut anyone’s pay who does contract jobs for the education productions.

“That was certainly not an option to cut pay for any of the people who are coming in to spend their time and talents with the kids,” Schmotzer said. “So maybe I don’t do the lobby decorations that I normally do, or we find other ways to resource costumes.”

To adjust to the dip in funds, the Limelight has had to make some changes, like raising ticket prices, creating scholarships for the education program, raising enrollment prices, doing fewer productions and events, cutting back on costs for the shows, and asking for donations.

Schmotzer believes that the arts are an essential part of life for everyone.

“I don’t see it as a privilege. I see it as a necessity. The arts are a necessity for a well rounded community,” Schmotzer said. “Obviously, my focus is kids, but everyone thrives and benefits from the arts being a part of their lives, and it shouldn’t just be people who can personally afford it.”

The Limelight recently closed their run of the musical “Bright Star.” Provence, the show’s director, feels strongly about its message and believes it applies to everyone, especially those dealing with the budget cuts.

“When things are meant to be, they will be. And when the time is right, truth will present itself,” Provence said. “So many people are faced with uncertainty of the future. What do we do with all that? I mean, are we crippled by fear, or do we look toward hope and never give up and believe that ‘light will come and unveil the darkness,’ to quote ‘Bright Star.’ So I really do feel like this is the message for our time.”

“Bright Star” has proved to be a source of hope in these trying times for the Limelight Theatre.

In terms of the future, Provence has big dreams and aspirations for this little community theatre, despite the challenges it’s faced with.

“We obviously have a strategic plan that we are working toward,” Provence said. “In general, we want to create just a very stable theatre where it’s full of diversity and community and a place for all artists to come and thrive. We are looking to create professional theatre with a community heart.”

Though the budget cuts seem discouraging, the Limelight family is doing their best to stay positive through it all.

“We’re just gonna keep moving forward,” Provence said. “We’re not gonna give up.”