Responding to an estimated $75,000 deficit in the fiscal year that ended June 30, City Theatre has cut three staff positions: Margie Romero, director of communications; Fred Betzner, manager of patron services; and Rachel Ferrari, seasonal props assistant.

Their duties will be absorbed by others on an administrative and production staff of 13 full-time and eight seasonal.

The cuts came after the 2007-08 budget that started at $3.1 million ended the year at $2.9 million, with some reductions made during the year. Six mainstage subscription shows drew as expected, but add-on specials ("Male Intellect," "Vagina Monologues" and the two "Catechism" shows) produced only $525,000, well below the $665,000 target, said managing director Greg Quinlan. Contributions also fell about $100,000 short.

"Our overall goal is to protect what we spend on our productions and artists, what the audience sees," Quinlan said. City had been in the black the previous two years and expects to be in the black for 2008-09, a necessary precursor for an expected capital campaign to upgrade its aging five-building South Side campus.

"We all have to find the balance between art and commerce," said artistic director Tracy Brigden, who expressed particular regret over the staffers who were cut. "The shortfall was less than 3 percent of the budget, but it was a red flag."