10/09/2026
OFFICIAL PUBLIC STATEMENT
TO OUR ST. CLOUD NEIGHBORS, PATRONS, AND SUPPORTERS:
Theatre in the Cloud Inc. is issuing this official statement to address public mischaracterizations made during the October 8, 2026 City Council meeting towards a private citizen who was not representing or speaking on behalf of our organization.
Mayor Chris Robertson claimed that our non-profit engaged in "back-room deals" or knowingly operated under an illegal agreement—claims that are unequivocally false.
Four years ago, we entered into an official agreement—approved and administered directly by the St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Department—to utilize the Woman’s Club Building for three productions a year. To maintain full transparency, our contracts were renewed and signed annually to align directly with the Parks and Recreation fiscal year.
The City Council at the time was fully aware of our presence, our operations, and our ongoing use of the facility. In fact, both previous and current council members have praised Theatre in the Cloud on various occasions during City Council meetings. In return, Theatre in the Cloud hosted multiple city events free of charge and was proudly recognized as 2022 Volunteer of the Year.
In September 2025, our contract was pulled for review and later terminated in October 2025. We cooperated fully by vacating the premises immediately. Following our departure, we had ongoing meetings with Parks and Recreation and City Managers, but the newly proposed rental rates and partnership terms were not sustainable for our non-profit budget.
Importantly, while Mayor Chris Robertson stated he was not Mayor when our last agreement was signed, he was in office and in full control of his seat when our contract was pulled for review and terminated in October 2025 following his election in late 2024.
Regarding the Mayor's opinion on non-profits and freedom of speech, IRS Revenue Ruling 2007-41 explicitly affirms that non-profit leaders retain full constitutional rights to express individual political and civic views in their personal capacity. As a non-profit organization, Theatre in the Cloud sets its own rules and regulations regarding board members, and we firmly support our members' First Amendment rights.
Theatre in the Cloud Inc. remains 100% committed to integrity, transparency, and enriching St. Cloud through accessible community arts.
Thank you for your continued trust and unwavering support of the local arts.
With artistic integrity,
Joshua Stenkamp
Artistic Director, Theatre in the Cloud Inc.
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