English left in 1995 and Michael Springate came on as artistic director for one season, 1995-96. At this point, the theatre experienced a financial downturn and it was widely feared that the company might close for good. However, Gass returned in 1996 to resume the artistic directorship with the intention of putting the theatre back on its feet. His decision to perform all six of the plays in George F. Walker's "Suburban Motel" as a full season brought the theatre a remarkably swift return to popularity, relevance and financial prosperity.