Seattle: As Theatres Produce "Smaller" Plays, Actors Find Themselves Out Of Work
source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2009752523_actors30.html?cmpid=2628
-
-
- St_Alia_10191
- added this
"Many Seattle theater fans have been regaled, moved and amused by Hana Lass in the past year.
The gifted young actress played an ardent Juliet in Wooden O's "Romeo and Juliet." She also covered several roles in "Crime and Punishment" at Intiman Theatre. She was a blue-nosed gamin and a witch in two Seattle Children's Theatre shows. And her sprightly Ariel graced Seattle Shakespeare Company's "The Tempest."
So what parts will Lass tackle in the coming season?
As of today: none.
"It looks like I'm probably not going to be working for at least a year," says Lass. "It's just a tough time. The crazy thing is, there isn't even much to audition for."
Lass knows what a precarious career she's chosen. And she keeps an office job "in my back pocket" for lean periods.
But compared to the last two years, pickings are dramatically slimmer for even the most-established members of the city's esteemed professional acting pool.
The national economic recession is one obvious reason the employment picture is grim.
Large theaters saw their invested endowment funds tank. Donations to arts groups from individuals, corporations and government agencies are taking a hit.
By most estimates, live theater attendance has not gone in the Dumpster. But it's accelerated the trend of patrons buying fewer multiple-show subscriptions and more pay-as-you-go single tickets.
To reduce costs, ACT Theatre (usually a bastion for local actors) slotted two solo plays into its 2009 season — both with performers from out of town.
Seattle Rep went further, slashing its 2009-2010 budget by a third — a drastic but essential measure, says Rep producing artistic director Jerry Manning, adding the Rep also trimmed office and production staff.
But this season the Rep will offer locals only 20 roles (compared to 40 last season), and some shorter gigs for play readings. "I fought for every acting contract, but the numbers are gruesome," says an apologetic Manning. "But it becomes an institutional question: do you make Draconian cuts and just shut down for a third of your calendar? Or cut corners, but still offer patrons ... a full banquet of plays?"
The actors get it, but also wonder if the right corners are being cut."
The gifted young actress played an ardent Juliet in Wooden O's "Romeo and Juliet." She also covered several roles in "Crime and Punishment" at Intiman Theatre. She was a blue-nosed gamin and a witch in two Seattle Children's Theatre shows. And her sprightly Ariel graced Seattle Shakespeare Company's "The Tempest."
So what parts will Lass tackle in the coming season?
As of today: none.
"It looks like I'm probably not going to be working for at least a year," says Lass. "It's just a tough time. The crazy thing is, there isn't even much to audition for."
Lass knows what a precarious career she's chosen. And she keeps an office job "in my back pocket" for lean periods.
But compared to the last two years, pickings are dramatically slimmer for even the most-established members of the city's esteemed professional acting pool.
The national economic recession is one obvious reason the employment picture is grim.
Large theaters saw their invested endowment funds tank. Donations to arts groups from individuals, corporations and government agencies are taking a hit.
By most estimates, live theater attendance has not gone in the Dumpster. But it's accelerated the trend of patrons buying fewer multiple-show subscriptions and more pay-as-you-go single tickets.
To reduce costs, ACT Theatre (usually a bastion for local actors) slotted two solo plays into its 2009 season — both with performers from out of town.
Seattle Rep went further, slashing its 2009-2010 budget by a third — a drastic but essential measure, says Rep producing artistic director Jerry Manning, adding the Rep also trimmed office and production staff.
But this season the Rep will offer locals only 20 roles (compared to 40 last season), and some shorter gigs for play readings. "I fought for every acting contract, but the numbers are gruesome," says an apologetic Manning. "But it becomes an institutional question: do you make Draconian cuts and just shut down for a third of your calendar? Or cut corners, but still offer patrons ... a full banquet of plays?"
The actors get it, but also wonder if the right corners are being cut."
-
- groups:
- Community, Culture, Art and Style, Current Tonight, 2 more
-
- tags:
- News, Culture, Art and Style, Economy, 7 more
