Monday, November 17, 2008
So Long, Seattle
City Arts Seattle: "Laurence Ballard has had enough of being a struggling actor. Here's why you won't be seeing one of our most accomplished performing artists working on local stages any time soon."
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8 comments:
I think it's sad that the theatre world will never see so much of the talent available to it because of payment issues, but I feel that's always been a major cause of concern for potential actors, and will continue to be. I honestly don't see the payment issue getting any better in the near future, however, especially with all of the other economic issues that theatre has been experiencing.
It's a little strange hearing about how theatre can afford to pay actors more money, but they don't. All I ever hear about is theatre trying to stay above water with finances. It seems like the article has a slight case of tunnel-vision, but maybe I'm just naive to how much money theatres really make...
Individuals on Seattle theatre boards are primarily there for their corporate networking and business connections, not because they necessarily know - or care - jack about creating art. Board members have used their corporate skills very well to apply a corporate business model to the administrative concerns of their institutions - to a fault. At larger institutions, department heads are paid at competitive market rates; actors working at the same are paid a fraction of the the same. Time to work just a wee bit harder now and do some real heavy lifting to actually create a reason why their institutions should exist in the first place.
Too many fine arts students have superficial expectations of their monetary value upon graduation. Everybody is someone in a school where you can focus in on your specific interest. But overall, if you're good enough, you'll have it. Regardless of what you may have done as an undergrad
I find it really distressing that talent like this is being ignored and indeed dispensed with. While it is of course understandable that in these times of economic difficulty that payments may be stretch thin and reduced, this article highlights the fact that the money IS there, but is not being paid to the actors. I have little patience with stinginess and even less respect for those who do not share with people like actors who already work for little more than minimum wage.
I think that we can all agree that the life of an artist is hard. It is what we have to expect going into this business. That all being said, all theater artists (and artists in general) should be compensated more for their work. Some of the general public seems to mix up movie star who make boat loads of money everytime they walk out of their front door with artists working in the theater. It is a completly different world.
I also liked what the article said about board members not knowing the art and running theater like a business. I don't disagree that theater is one of those places where art and business are tied closely together, but it is a different kind of business than running a company.
Settle has been losing more and more artists lately, with people funding less art and cost of living increasing quickly. We've had a number of theatre groups close down (some permanently, some temporarily.) It's a shame that the economic forces limit art like this, but a plain fact of life in Seattle.
how scary that a well respected actor with a steady job can't afford to make ends meet. what does that say about everyone else? it is so tragic to loose a talent because of monetary issues, but these days we seem to be loosing a lot because of monetary issues. it would be nice to say that hopefully in the future this will ease up, but i don't for see that happening anytime soon.
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