Ubertaludy - yes- LOOK is a professional company and they do good work; however, they are summer only. Todd was asked about a full time professional company in that particular question. As far as TRM - awesome that that company exists - didn't know about it. If people want to be offended by the article, then you will be. People act as if the responses from the various companies were meant as personal attacks. Not so... That's one of the major problems around here. People act as if everyone is personally out to get them. It's about the WORK!! Take all the time everyone is putting into plotting and planning to get back at each other and put it into the WORK!!! When another company does good work, I am extremely pleased. It's wonderful for Tulsa. When actors work for a variety of companies, I like that even better - makes them better actors.
Make it about the work and not about each individual's petty agenda...
Todd Cunningham argues that there is no professional musical theater group in Tulsa. Um... Tulsa Repertory Musicals pays all actors, musicians and crew every time. Oh, and LOOK is a professional company and all they do is musicals. Todd... seriously?
I had so much to say about this article. So much. Disappointment in most all of the theatre companies represented in this article is only the beginning. After reading NESpiegel I found that his thoughts are on track with what I wanted to say and said in a much cleaner manner. I applaud what he said and all the others as well. There is a glimmer of truth in all the companies takes on what is, or is not, "professional" theatre, but the truth is a combination of these ideas. Standards must be in place as well as a work ethic. Actors should not run the business and business should not take artistic control, but they MUST work together. Checks and balances. To put my frustration to bed over what is going on in our theatre community ... folks, take the energy you are placing on sinking the other "ships" and put it in your own company. I know you think you are, but the public sees a darker side, none of US are innocent. Stop trashing one another because it's the actors, stage managers and tech that are the body count (stuck in the middle) in each war. I hope you all read what is being said here. Perhaps then Tulsa will have a true professional theatre company. Guys, we don't have it yet ... and honestly there are people out here that DO know what it means to be part of a professional experience. Honestly. This is where I will stop, as I find myself l traveling the same dark road this article took. Again, NESpiegel said what should be said, beautifully.
I find it interesting that this amount of space was wasted on an article that ignores so many things. Tulsa showed full support of musical theatre this summer. Every theatre company should be most concerned with fulfilling their mission and making their shows shine for their audiences, donors, and supporters, period.
Good lord, there's a whooooole lot of arrogance in that article. Way to tell the Tulsa theater community at large that they're all crap. Is it really any wonder that there is division? That people feel the need to protect their little kingdoms? That companies aren't as willing to share their resources as you might like? "Hey, I know I just insulted your mom, kicked you in the shin and banged your girlfriend... but do you think you could let me borrow your car?" Good luck with that.
I, too, have worked coast to coast in Equity and non-Equity houses and the experience of working in more "professional" companies beats one of the local "big" theatre companies hands down. I have never experienced being stiffed on promised pay, put down for asking for money for the work I do, had to provide my own costumes, wigs and shoes, been involved in such disorganization and verbal abuse as I have at this "big" local theatre company. Perhaps dissatisfaction with the "big" local (and allegedly professional) company, prompted so many offshoots in the community. I'm delighted to see that there are other companies in which to perform, but sad that it is still practically impossible to make a living doing what I was trained to do and the work I love.
I'm a theatre professional for over 30 years, having worked coast to coast before relocating here in 2004. I applaud the local theatres for their commitment to the art and craft of theatre. I moved here from New York City to take a job with Tulsa Opera, and have been impressed by the variety and quality of the performing arts and artists in Tulsa. It is odd that we don't have an Equity theatre, but just being Equity doesn't itself denote "professional", so I see no reason for Equity contracts to be the defining factor. (I do take issue with Mr. Crawford's explanation of Actor's Equity.It is not an "actor's union". Actor's Equity Association is one of the oldest labor unions in the American labor rights movement, formed in 1913, and represents actors and stage managers. Its purpose is clearly defined to represent those two distinct groups, not one, and was formed in response to abusive labor issues in early theatrical organizations such as Vaudeville). I grew up in Portland, Maine and was the Production Stage Manager for a professional repertory company called Mad Horse Theatre company that was non-union, very well respected and competed directly with the larger Equity theatre in town. In my opinion, the fact that the theatre artists in Tulsa continue to spawn new organizations that are just a shade different from each other leads to a confusion from the potential audience. They do not each have a clear identity--in the arts, we often define that as your "mission." In Maine, the reason Mad Horse was successful was that we had a clearly defined mission that we adhered to at the core level of our organization. Finally, in my opinion several of the companies are not connecting substantially with the community to really validate the existence of yet another company. The best and most successful organizations, whether its purpose is for theatre, social services or retail have a clear connection with a community with whom they seek to interact. In retail, you define the customer and seek them out with quality products. In theatre, the company needs to produce work that is somehow relevant to or speaks to the needs of the community. Tulsa Symphony is an excellent example. The former Philharmonic's demise led the brilliant and dedicated musicians to determine that the new organization needed to have a well formed commitment to the community in order to establish purpose and they did just that. Theatre is often considered a luxury item that is expendable in times of financial crisis. However Tulsa Opera's Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas speaks beautifully when he says "The theatre should be a place of refuge in difficult times". If the theatre community in Tulsa is to claim pride of place in the hearts of our city, it needs to speak clearly to the audience--not looking down one's nose at an audience who may not grab the hook of a hit play. Only by remaining relevant and purposeful to the audience and speaking to the needs of our community will theatre in Tulsa become the jewel in the crown it truly deserves to be.
It's difficult to believe that ATC is concerned with attendance given Ms. Robert's comment that us "local people" have a "provincial attitude." I certainly won't be burdening ATC with my unsophisticated attitude by attending their shows anymore.
What this article lacks is any mention of business economics. The established theatres in town such as ATC and Theater Tulsa all rent or own their facilities. They have bills, they pay insurance to house their collections of costumes and set pieces. All these want-a-be professional actors and their companies all operate out of their homes and apartments and do not seem to understand that to exploit another theater org so they in turn can pay themselves is just ludicrous. ATC and Theater Tulsa have every right to demand compensation to repair and clean and maintain their theatrical inventories. It called business. If area shcools, churches and org can pay memberships to entitle themselves to access their inventories, why can't these "professional theatres?" The notion that there needs to be a colabertation between the theatres to sustain each other only alienates the community in which they thrive who are willing to support them. There is a reason why it's called a community theatre. You remove the community's envolvement you might as well close shop. ~David F- Tulsa
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Re: Play to Pay
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Re: Play to Pay
Make it about the work and not about each individual's petty agenda...
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http://www.examiner.com/theater-in-tulsa/opening-pandora-the-pandora-project
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The notion that there needs to be a colabertation between the theatres to sustain each other only alienates the community in which they thrive who are willing to support them. There is a reason why it's called a community theatre. You remove the community's envolvement you might as well close shop.
~David F- Tulsa