ATC’s acting Managing Director William Russo has spent time in some of the country’s more prestigious nonprofit theaters, such as the American Repertory Theater and New York Theatre Workshop. He was surprised at the last-minute save. But more than that, he said he was “gleeful.”

ATC has great “gratitude to all our subscribers, audiences, donors,” he said.

“The support shown is really humbling. That the communities made it possible — that’s overwhelming.”

But the success doesn’t mean the work ends, he added.

“We have a great responsibility to take that support and move forward and fix some of the inherent problems. … We have to work toward a recapitalization of the organization so it doesn’t face this dilemma again.”

Goldstein agreed.

“We can’t be in this situation ever again,” he said. “Now is the time to really recapitalize and secure this asset for the next 50 years.”

One of the big changes that will be made over the next season is its artistic director. Goldstein stepped down in 2013, but stayed on at the board’s request until the company was more stable.