making theatre "mainstream"...

I don't think you could possibly expect an income from any theatre in Melbourne - even the big name companies. A friend of mine is now looking for a new agent because her old one folded - not enough work to make commissions from. The fact of the matter is that down here good publicity can only get you so far. Example - the 2006 Comedy Festival announced a loss, despite the fact that it is one of the largest comedy fests in the world. The Four Noels had to cancel a show. I worked with Michael Chamberlain (Skithouse) once, and he had really poor audiences. It doesn't matter what your name is, how much 'good' publicity (actually, if you get your name in The Age your ten times more likely to get an audience and be promoted again by the papers - don't get me started on the media coverage of the arts please) you get, or how much funding... the fact of the matter is that we have so much competition around. Amateur works because you can rely on your community - not just family and friends. If you lose money, you just raise your fees next year. Professional I think is so much harder, because you're trying to earn an income from it. And what theatre audience really reads this site, if they are not already involved in theatre? Publicising to the choir. (Hmm, perhaps I need my morning coffee...) The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com