The Touring Series at Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus has dazzled audiences since 2007 with shows and events by big-name performers like the Moscow Festival Ballet, Columbia Artists Management, and last month the musical “Evita.” But this fall the series is coming to an end and will be replaced by a new program.
The Touring Series plans to end in the 2019 -2020 academic year.
According to Southeast’s director of university communications Ann Hayes, they suffered a financial loss on the touring productions last year.
In an email, Hayes said their student productions, such as the February student performance of “Sister Act,” drew 3,000 attendees while only a little over 400 people saw the touring production, “Chinese Warriors.”
With the current financial strain at Southeast, Hayes said the funds that went to the touring series can be used to give more opportunities and experience for student performers.
On May 6th, the series will be bringing audiences “RENT,” the last performance this academic year.
The new season package beginning next fall will be called the ‘Broadway and Symphony Package,’ and will replace the former program with performances from the River Campus’ Theatre and Dance and Symphony Series.