I know it's likely different with every theater company and area where theater thrives.  Where I'm from here in the US - the city is large enough that we have at least three to four groups going at any one time. Reason I say there is a variance is because some of these theater companies come and go.  But for this city - we've had three or four LONG TERM companies.  Actually besides the children's theater - a MAJOR force in our city - the company I was with for nearly 20 years is the oldest and longest continually running company now in it's 58th year.  The next one after that has been around for about 23 years or so.  There have been others - but again they come and go.

 

Now then, ALL of the people involved in "the community" in this city, including those who are actors and who serve on the theater's boards, DO move about from company to company as the shows and opportunities arise to do good work.  One of the issues however, with the companies in this city - which may be different than what you're experiencing where you are - is that of the three MAJOR companies, the offerings are often different enough that we really AREN'T competing - though we really are to the greatest degree.  I mean there is CHILDREN's theater, which is specific in what they do.  Then the other theater who set their policy very early on, used to do nothing older than 5 years, avante garde type theater fare, and then our group who did a lot of the "old chestnut" shows and the more common, well known and well liked shows.  So in that essence we really weren't competing.  Although in any city, all theater companies have to fill the seats to survive. And the people involved in "the community" - regardless of whether they're on the board or not of their theater company, DO get around to do different work if something appeals to them.  In a LOT of cases, people on the board who are actors try NOT to involve themselves too much in their own company's season's shows, because it begins to look to many like the only reason they get the roles is because they are ON the board.  Those accusations have been leveled before - AND in many cases, some people DO that and it often looks suspect and bad to others.

 

The "community" here, for the most part, know each other and get the opportunities to work together quite often.  During Summer when Shakespeare happens (they do 3 shows during the Summer) well all the actors come out of the woodwork to audition and be in the Summerfest of shows....mostly because most companies seasons didn't used to include Summer.  NOW that's changed but they still all come out for Shakespeare shows.  And knowing each other as well as we do - especially if one works for a long time in the community, it's not unusual nor is it frowned upon if a member or board member even auditions, gets cast, and acts in another company's show every now and again.  If a show appeals to an actor - board member or not - well why not audition?  I mean, if there is a show or a role in a show I'm really interested in doing, even the company I work for doesn't frown upon that. I mean I'm an actor too - as well as having been a board member (8 out of 20 years) - and I like to pursue roles that I really want to do. And if MY company isn't doing them but another is, well I don't have a problem with trying out or even working for another company.  I know that may LOOK like conflict of interest.  But when I work for nearly 20 years for the same company, spend eight years on the board, then they know where my loyalties lie.  And they don't care that I audition or work for other companies - if I'm doing a show or a role I really WANT to do and we aren't.

 

I am so sorry that it effects you like that.  I mean we're not a huge city, but by any means we're not small. And even if we were, as an actor, no-one here would stifle another actor - even a friend or member of the same company, from doing a role or a show they really want to do.  While it effects you all as it does, that's too bad.  Maybe communicating with the person you're referring to and asking point blank, why they feel compelled to do other shows with other companies, at least you'd get an answer. I suggest NOT letting it fester in your mind because it can become a real sticking point in dealing with the person you're talking about - especially if they really are/were good friends with you, others and/or the company.  They likely still are.  But they're likely pursuing other roles/shows/companys who are doing what YOURS is not.  And there's really not anything wrong with that as I see it.  I mean after 20 years, my company knew where MY loyalties lay - and they were supportive of me working IN GENERAL - AND would all come to see me in another company's shows.  That is the nature of our community of companies and actors here.  We are generally a supportive community and that's as it should be when we aren't professional companies.  Now we DO have one that has gotten a bit "big for their britches" and it's harmed their attendance and support.  Then again we have a newly formed MUSICAL theater company that has replaced one that met it's demise after 25 years (economy made it very difficult AND some baaaaad management).  So they fill the gap for large musical shows - AND they use people from the entire community.  AND Shakespeare has undergone some really adverse changes in their effort to be run professionally by a "board" of people bent on doing it THEIR way rather than the best way.  AND again THAT too has suffered in this city.

 

Suffice it to say - that I HOPE you can communicate with the person you're referring to and express your concerns and try to work out any negative differences you have to establish where they're coming from and why they feel compelled to pursue another company's shows.  But as I see it, it's not really a bad thing.  ALL of our city's theater companies have seen members AND Board members who act, be involved in anything they could get to do - because it supports and builds the entire community at large.  Even though there is some competition, we do enough of a variety of things that we don't conflict in our theatrical emphasis - regardless of often overlapping each others show dates.  But even that is often worked out amicably among the community so we DON'T conflict with the show dates.  SO it's perhaps different here than where you are.  But it's community theater after all - not Broadway - which really don't have a great deal of problem - most everybody wants to see most of those shows and I guess enough of that patron dollar gets spread around to keep most of them running in the black.

 

Good luck with your problem. I HOPE you can work it out and continue to thrive and grow.

 

TonyDi

 

 

 

I don't know what YOU have been doing for 10 years, but if you're worried about one of your "core" members doing shows elsewhere, then you ARE being selfish regardless of what you are trying to justify by saying they are valued for their skills and talents. Did it ever occur to you that maybe they don't feel that way and maybe that's why they're seeking parts in shows at other places?  And even if they are on good terms with you - why do you feel the need to stifle their artistic endeavors by addressing what you see as a "problem" when it really isn't?

 

I think you need to reassess what your intentions are not only with your own "core group" but also individuals who might even come in and devote a lot of time, talent, energy and work equity - only for THEM to be made feel like they're TIED to your group, instead of being supportive by allowing an open and nurturing environment where any actor can be part of what YOU do specifically at your theater and feel like they can move about to build their own resumes and acting skills WHEREVER they can find the challenge or opportunities to do work they might want to do that perhaps your group isn't doing at that moment. But why even consider that doing what you're doing the way you're doing it, might not be selfish.  I think it's quite selfish and is no way to build a community of actors and technicians.  Sure maybe our town is larger than yours.  And maybe YOUR theater is an hour away from the next one - but the "area" still could be considered "the community" even though you are far apart. And you say you draw volunteers from 20 miles away?  Why aren't you drawing people from an HOUR's drive away - like THEY are apparently drawing from YOUR OWN core group?  Maybe because you're too closed a group and no-one from that far away WANTS to be part of what you do?  Besides, if you were doing great stuff people would come from 2 hours away.  I know of groups I'd travel 2 hours to work with...they're THAT good AND that welcoming.  And do YOU want your group to have the reputation of making people feel like they HAVE to ONLY work for you? I mean what's up with that?  I've never EVER felt stifled by ANY company I worked for - except those under which I was contractually obligated as a paid professional.  Community theaters have always been open in my area and allowed the community of actors to go and do anywhere they could.  And even though I was "tied" to one company for 20 years (BY MY choice not theirs) doesn't mean I didn't give THEM the majority of my time and energy. But not feeling stifled, I think I worked harder because I knew I had their blessings if I got a role in a show I really wanted to do.  And as I said, the entire community will come out and see actors they know in shows even if it's a "competing" group.  And you HAVE no competition if the nearest is an hour away.  So why the gripe?  I guess I just still don't understand.  And yes, our company ALWAYS encouraged actors to move about - because it helped not only build the community but build community relationships and support for the ENTIRE community.  THAT'S what community theater should be about anyway - not exclusivity and making people feel obligated when they shouldn't have to be.

 

Just my opinion.  Hope you take it in the spirit in which it is meant - and that is friendly and inquisitive....and HOPEFULLY constructive.

 

TonyDi