The Green Room - Charging To Be In A Show

Reply #70 - Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 3:15pm

MRC Offline
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The Phoenix theatre wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2009 at 7:39pm:

there is a certain cowardess to your attacks.

Damn that bitchy Cowardess. Wonder if her sister, the Countess was involved in the attacks...

Why yes, I AM the Mekong River Commission!

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Reply #71 - Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 3:26pm

The Dark Knight Ex Member

MRC wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 3:15pm:

The Phoenix theatre wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2009 at 7:39pm:

there is a certain cowardess to your attacks.

Damn that bitchy Cowardess. �Wonder if her sister, the Countess was involved in the attacks...

Your finest hour, my good sir Wink

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Reply #72 - Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 4:30pm

The Kaylee and the Ivy Offline
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The Phoenix theatre wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 1:23pm:

For the record I DO appreciate the feedback as this was the original intent for logging on this chat room for the first time. I honestly had NO IDEA how strongly people felt about this subject.

Now, come on. You and I have swapped private messages about this very subject before, and you got quickly offended then as well. You know it's a hot-button topic (and you should have known by reading the thread before contributing).

If we're going to die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band.

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Reply #73 - Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 11:55pm

Miss.M.Beens Offline
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I Love P.A.!

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I do know from personal experience, that Collin has never turned anyone away based on the participation fee. �Whether they can or can't pay it, they're in the show. �And even though he does run the business, he's never taken a pay check for it; and he's been doing it for over 15 years. �I agree that the participation fee is not the best idea. �And when he originally posted, he was asking for advice on how he would be able to pay the actors, and get rid of the participation fee! �The money that comes from the fee is directly put into material for the � awesome costumes that are made, and into the material used in building the sets. �

Apart from money; when people can't pay the fee, they willingly come in to help with costumes, set construction, concessions, box office, etc. �I've never heard anyone that has come in to work on those things complain. �So they're not getting snubbed. �

Anyway, I didn't post to..... further the stuff that's been going on, just to explain things a little more. �If you have questions, please feel free to ask. �I very much appreciate constructive criticism, and would love to keep everything, concerning this post at least, on a positive level. �

Thanks for taking the time to read. � �

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Reply #74 - Oct 24^th, 2009 at 4:23am

DannyOKeefe Offline
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Providing useless commentary
since 2006
Utah

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I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the concept that a man's had a business for 15 years that can't sustain itself, and doesn't pay him a wage, and he's still doing it?

And if he's had this for 15 years, why are they just now doing a show that they've made enough money to no longer charge a fee?

And Grace: Who's side you talkin for? Earlier you were a disinterested, impartial observer
Grace wrote on May 26^th, 2009 at 2:14pm:

Even if you guys made a profit, I wouldn't have a problem with that. There are plenty of people whom would consider it worthwhile to pay $200 to perform.......I just get sick of theatre companies taking tons of criticism just because they don't ignore the business aspect of show business.

And then suddenly you're a stakeholder?
Grace wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 12:09pm:

...we were able to get enough capital off our first production that we won't have to charge a participation fee or require actors to sell tickets for our second. I'm glad I'm able to make that transition now.

I'm confused. Are we talking about 3 separate theaters that are charging actors fees to act in their shows, or just one company with three different faces.

Just want to know which ones to avoid. Undecided

"Due to the shape of the North American elk's esophagus, even if it could speak, it could not pronounce the word lasagna." &&&& �()_() &&(='.'=)

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Reply #75 - Oct 24^th, 2009 at 6:31am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

Miss.M.Beens wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 11:55pm:

I do know from personal experience, that Collin has never turned anyone away based on the participation fee. �Whether they can or can't pay it, they're in the show. �And even though he does run the business, he's never taken a pay check for it; and he's been doing it for over 15 years. �I agree that the participation fee is not the best idea. �And when he originally posted, he was asking for advice on how he would be able to pay the actors, and get rid of the participation fee! �The money that comes from the fee is directly put into material for the � awesome costumes that are made, and into the material used in building the sets. �

Apart from money; when people can't pay the fee, they willingly come in to help with costumes, set construction, concessions, box office, etc. �I've never heard anyone that has come in to work on those things complain. �So they're not getting snubbed. �

Anyway, I didn't post to..... further the stuff that's been going on, just to explain things a little more. �If you have questions, please feel free to ask. �I very much appreciate constructive criticism, and would love to keep everything, concerning this post at least, on a positive level. �

Thanks for taking the time to read. � �

I appreciate your comments, but neither fear of people being turned away, or concern over whether anyone complains are really the issue. it's a fundamental professional issue with what is widely considered to be, at best, a distasteful practice.

« Last Edit: Oct 25^th, 2009 at 10:22pm by N/A »

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Reply #76 - Oct 25^th, 2009 at 6:06pm

The Childrens Theatre Offline
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You will be surprised.
Downtown Salt Lake City

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It seems that the subject about charging to be in a show is fairly dead now. It appears that Mr. Kruezer is aware that it is not accepted by the theatre community except those he has had participate.

I believe that all the theatre companies have different experiences to offer, which creates some nice diversity in our community. While I don't agree with some of the practices of some, both great and small, each fill a niche that is probably needed by the actors of varying talent and perspective.

Might I suggest that a new subject may be offered? Perhaps the working actors on the PA might start one about the treatment of actors? Or what experiences actors have had with paying and non paying theatre companies?

It seems the subject has turned that way. I think that all agree that charging actors to be in the show is not a really great way of attracting talent.

I do agree that besides money, many actors chose theatre companies because of the production title and not always the theatre company. We have a constant battle of perception because we are "The Children's Theatre" even though it is mostly adults actors. Once actors come and do a show they realize how fun it is and that we are a great company to work for. We also realize that there is a major demand for popular musical theatre titles and dramas. Myself being an actor understand this very well. We currently spend a major portion of our production budgets on the Production crew and actors with less emphasis on everything else. Our productions are quality, because of that. Along with good artistic decisions we can do a lot with less. Good acting cannot be replaced. Period.

On the subject of PA, we hope that it will continue on forever, since there is really no other place actors and artist of the theatre community can express themselves and bring these kind of conversations to the table? There is certainly not enough communication between theatre companies and the acting community. It would be a great loss if PA was not around.

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Reply #77 - Oct 26^th, 2009 at 10:26am

Lady M. Offline
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Earth

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Quote:

On the subject of PA, we hope that it will continue on forever, since there is really no other place actors and artist of the theatre community can express themselves and bring these kind of conversations to the table? There is certainly not enough communication between theatre companies and the acting community. It would be a great loss if PA was not around.

Thank you. �Unfortunately, the site will be retired at the end of December after a decade of shenanigans. �However, there is rumor of another site taking up where this one is leaving off*. �We are working together with the new webmaster and hopefully the communication will live on!

*This is not an official announcement, only a rumor

**

.

**

Being started right now by me.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #78 - Oct 26^th, 2009 at 3:39pm