Gaffney Fired by Studio Arena BUFFALO (wned) - The restructuring of the debt-ridden Studio Arena Theatre took another step with the dismissal of artistic director Kathleen Gaffney.

After a career as a New York City writer and producer, Gaffney returned to the area to head the troubled theatre in 2006. The leadership change reportedly is part of a bankruptcy reorganization plan which will see Shea's Performing Arts Center take over Studio Arena operations.

The final two productions of Studio Arena's season were cancelled last winter after theatre debts reached $2.6 million.

The development follows a recent story claiming that actress Nicole Kidman was leading a fund-raising effort to save the theatre. Gaffney told the Buffalo News that she had nothing to do with spreading the story which proved to be a hoax. © Copyright 2009, wned