Killing My Lobster to suspend operations at the end of 2025
Well, hey there.
By now, many of you will have read the SF Chronicle article about Killing My Lobster temporarily suspending our operations at the end of 2025 so that we can develop a more sustainable financial model.
First, we want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we've received. Knowing that Killing My Lobster made an impact means the world, even if that impact was just one good snort-laugh.
We recognize the many profound losses the performing arts community has endured over the years—sometimes arriving suddenly, and other times unfolding slowly over time. For those who cherish the arts in the Bay Area, this uncertainty can feel both heartbreaking and unsettling. A gradual loss can, in its own way, be even harder to bear than facing clear answers.
However, we want to assure you that many dedicated minds are working toward a new path forward for KML. While we cannot share specifics yet, the future will need to look different, as the current environment can no longer sustain past models. In the meantime, we are actively mapping our plans for 2026. Classes will continue through the end of the year, and Legends & Laughter will open on August 29. Though the road ahead is uncertain (and uncertainty sucks), we have no intention for this production to be our final artistic work.
Killing My Lobster has been around since 1997—through many iterations—because of its incredible artists, collaborators, and supporters. Thank you to EVERYONE who has reached out, shared, and stood with us during this challenging week. We promise to share our plans as soon as we have them. Until then, we embrace this state of St. Gilda Radner’s “delicious ambiguity.” We look forward to making laughs together again soon.
All our love,
Killing My Lobster
Read the SF Chronicle article HERE
Read the 48Hills article HERE
The email that went out to our artists on Aug. 12th
Dear Killing My Lobster community,
We're writing with very tough and disappointing news. On Wednesday, August 6th, we received the update that a key source of funding will not come through. With the NEA rescinding many arts grants, the competition for existing funding has grown. Like all non-profit theatre companies, we depend heavily on foundation and grant support. Given our financial model and the widespread changes to arts funding, we have made the difficult decision to pause operations following the end of our 2025 season until we can develop a more sustainable financial model.
How did we get here?
You may remember that we had shared some optimism during our Town Hall in the spring; that, while staff had to go part-time and budgets continued to contract, ticket sales were rebounding and class sales were doing well. Since that time, more grants have been rescinded and the resources we normally rely on have become unavailable. Our financial runway can cover expenses through the end of the year, but like many other arts institutions in the Bay Area and across the country, we need to take a step back and reimagine how to run a sustainable business in the current financial environment.
What will this mean for the remainder of 2025?
We plan on seeing Legends & Laughter through, and continuing classes in our headquarters until the end of the year. We have to cut down on any additional expenses, meaning that we will no longer be holding the September or November editions of Sketch on Speed, and Emma and I will be volunteering our time through the end of the year. Any artists who this directly impacts has already been contacted. We will also be running a Giving Tuesday campaign to balance the budget, at a reduced goal of 10K, and we appreciate your support and participation.
What about beyond 2025?
We are unable to say with certainty what will happen after the close of this season. Our team is committed to keeping this organization alive, and we will look at every path possible to come back stronger than ever.
It's important to acknowledge everyone who has poured time, energy, and creativity into this company. You have shown up for events, given to fundraisers, and spread the word about our shows. So many of you have advocated fiercely for us, volunteered labor, and given your whole heart to every project you've worked on. While this news is extremely difficult, your support has gotten us through difficult times before.
As we move through this process, we're committed to transparency and will keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime, please reach out with any additional questions, and we will do our best to answer them.
On a personal note: working with this company has been the absolute honor of my life. I am filled with gratitude that I was able to collaborate so closely with the most thoughtful, kind, compassionate, dedicated, intelligent, and hilarious comedians I've ever encountered. Thank you all for everything. Just…thank you. I am so sorry we got here, but I will do everything I can to see us through.
With love,
Nicole & Emma
