FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated April 30, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

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Is Swift Creek Mill Theatre closing permanently?

We don't know yet — and that honesty is intentional. The Board has authorized a full organizational pause to assess whether a viable path to reopening exists. A formal decision will be made at the August 17, 2026, board meeting. We are committed to a responsible process, not a predetermined outcome.

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Why is this happening?

The organization's current operating model is not financially sustainable. Rather than continue under a structure that cannot support the mission long-term, the Board made the difficult decision to pause, conduct a thorough review, and rebuild deliberately. This is an act of stewardship — protecting the mission by creating the conditions for a sustainable future.

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For 80% of the 25 years The Mill has been a nonprofit have ended in deficit. That is to say, more money is spent than taken in. Many of those years the deficit was $100,000, and for some, more than $200,000.

 

To say this is not sustainable is an understatement, but here is some additional context:

An Angel

The Mill has had many angels, but one anonymous donor “loaned” the Mill cash from 2006 to 2020 to ensure that bills were paid and staff were never without a check. The generosity of one person for so long is almost unheard of, but it always had an end date. As planning began for the 2020-2021 season, the board was reminded that the safety net would be smaller for that season and nonexistent beyond it.

Forgiveness

Starting in 2018, the angel donor agreed to forgive $2 of loan debt (well over $1,000,000 at that point) for every dollar raised by the theatre. Fundraising began to increase, and while there were still cash deficits in FY 2018 through FY 2021, the donations of debt relief made the financial statements appear in the black for the first time, since the forgiveness was booked as a donation. In December 2020, the final balance was forgiven, leaving the Mill debt-free.

COVID

Fiscal 2022 (July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022) is the only year on our books with a positive bottom line reflecting actual cash in, as opposed to debt forgiveness. This was due to a massive influx of relief from the federal and state governments.

Flood

As many of you recall, in the middle of COVID, a historic flood hit the Mill, causing close to $200,000 in damage. Close to $100,000 of that was paid for by individual donations. The rest came from a small insurance claim, a generous gift from a new donor-advised fund, and other emergency funds from businesses and foundations.

Cash

After all of this (the angel donor and debt forgiveness, increased fundraising in response to the flood, and COVID relief funds), we did nothing more than put a band-aid on the wound. The Mill is still losing money every year. Nothing short of a major restructuring and rebuilding of the business model can help.

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Why not a “Save the Mill” campaign?

We feel it would be irresponsible to ask for a massive influx of cash to keep sustaining an unsustainable model. The current approach has not worked for at least 20 years (probably much longer, but that is as far back as our records have been preserved). It survived only because of the generosity of our angel and COVID relief. To ask for that sort of help without a professional plan in place would be grossly irresponsible.

While a “Save the Mill Campaign” is not in the cards at this time, there will be fundraising efforts through the transition in order to keep the building safe and maintained, and to have an administrative presence in place to keep the bills paid.

 

What happens to my tickets, subscriptions, gift cards, flex passes, and dining tickets?

We want to make sure you are taken care of.

You have a few options:

• Hold your tickets. If we reopen, your tickets will be honored at full face value for the first year of the new season — even if new ticket prices are higher. After that first year, tickets revert to their original face value.

• Donate your tickets. We will send you a thank-you letter stating the face value of your tickets as a tax-deductible donation.

• Request a refund. We will refund the face value of your ticket, gift card, flex pass, or dining ticket. Please allow up to 60 days for processing.

• We will continue to seek additional solutions for the tickets you are holding. More information below

 

To select your option, email info@swiftcreekmill.com

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What about Over the River and Through the Woods?

Virginia Rep has set aside approximately 100 seats at each of the following performances of Come From Away for a one-to-one exchange at no cost to you:

•      Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 PM

•      Saturday, June 20 at 2:00 PM or 7:00 PM

•      Wednesday, July 1 at 2:00 PM or 7:00 PM

•      Friday, July 3 at 7:00 PM

•      Friday, July 10 at 7:00 PM

•      Wednesday, July 15 at 2:00 PM

 

This exchange is available to patrons who hold tickets to Over the River and Through the Woods. Exchanges are one-for-one, with no fees or additional cost.

To request an exchange, contact Virginia Rep directly by phone at 804-282-2620,

or in person at the box office at the November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street.

Please note that your exchange will be for a standard seat.

 

Premium seats and other seat types may not be available.

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What about summer camp registrations?

We know this is important news for families. We are actively reaching out to area theatre organizations about options for registered campers and will be in direct contact with camp families as soon as we have more information. Email questions@swiftcreekmill.com with any questions.

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Is The Elves and the Shoemaker still happening?

Yes. Our current youth production will proceed as scheduled. Teachers with school group bookings next week — your visit is on.

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Can I still attend the Wine Dinner or Cabaret?

Yes — both events proceed as planned.

• Wine Dinner — Thursday, April 30 | 6:30 PM | $85 | swiftcreekmill.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=96

• If I Sing — A Cabaret with Stephen Rudlin and Friends — May 8 & 9 | swiftcreekmill.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=97

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What happens to the staff?

This has been the hardest part of this decision. Nearly all staff positions will end effective May 9, with severance provided where possible. We are deeply grateful for the dedication, talent, and heart our team has brought to this theatre. Managing Director Steve Koehler will be retained to support the Board of Directors in reorganization.

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How can I help?

The most meaningful things you can do right now are attend our final events, consider holding or donating your tickets rather than requesting a refund, and make a financial contribution to the reorganization fund.

Donations can be made at 

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