John Schratwieser is planning to leave the Prince Theatre. He’ll take his last bow by December 31.
It’s a bittersweet departure for “Schrattie,” the executive director of the Prince for the past five years. He wants to go, but he says it’s going to hurt some.
“I feel this has been my baby, there’s no other way to say it, having given everything I have to what’s being created here,” Schratwieser said.
“So that makes it hard to go. But at the same time, peoples’ lives change and new opportunities come about. And those . . . they’re something I’ve waited 40 years for.”
Schratwieser announced his decision to resign to the Prince’s board of directors last Thursday.
“I hope that what I have done, with the amazing talents and support of Lucia Foster, Ann Hedgepeth, our wonderful volunteers and our great Board of Directors, is to create a thriving community arts center that will live on long after all of us are gone,” he told the board.
In an interview, Schratwieser recalled that when he first joined the staff, the Prince was a $140,000 annual operation that was $40,000 in debt. “Now we’re a $240,000 organization with three fulltime employes, and we’ve been in the black for four years.”
During his tenure, he noted, the Prince has raised $1 million and purchased the building. Most of that million is pledged over three years, “and at the end of that time we will have paid off the mortgage. We have secured it for the future.”
Schratwieser’s next stop: Cincinnati. He’s not sure what he will do there, but, “It will most likely be in the arts.”
Cincinnati has what he calls “a fantastic and growing arts community”—several community theaters, a symphony, a fine museum, a college conservatory of music at the University of Cincinnati, and a new high school for the performing arts.
“I hope my areas of expertise will be useful to them.”
Kevin Shertz says
When my wife Heather and I moved to Chestertown in 2005, John was the first person we met while out walking our dog (and him with Winston, of course.) As anyone who knows John can imagine, he made us feel fully welcome to our new surroundings, and has ever since been considered a great friend and neighbor.
We will miss you very much, but know great things await you in Cincinnati!
Marty Stetson says
If I thought the same kind of campaign that was mounted to keep Upper Shore hospital would work I will call for the same effort to keep John at his present position. He has made such an impreesion on the town. I am not sure he can be replaced. Good luck John, you will be missed.
sarah lyle says
John has been such a boon to Chestertown. His enthusiasm and hard work– to say nothing of his great voice!– have improved our community and we will miss him. Follow your heart ,and may good luck follow you, John!