Opera San Luis Obispo was struggling to fill seats for its productions during the recession. In 2012, it canceled its large annual production. Under its new artistic director Brian Alhadeff, it began a series of smaller, lower-cost "friendraiser" shows. Alhadeff also initiated conversations with other local arts organizations, outlining a collaboration formula where partner organizations would help promote each other's productions, exponentially growing attendance. When Opera San Luis Obispo applied this collaboration model for its 2013 production of Carmen, it was able to fill 91% of seats, nearly doubling attendance. It continues expanding this collaborative model for its upcoming production of Aida.