New - relevant - topic: State ID

While I totally admire the initiative to start a new topic of debate, I just totally couldn't bring myself to wade through the totally inane wanna-be SoCal Valley Girl speak. (My apologies, Sal, if you actually ARE a totally inane SoCal Valley Girl).

I'm more interested in returning to a topic brought up by Beach a few weeks ago...the notion of an actor being identified as a 'WA' actor.

http://www.theatre.asn.au/read.php?f=19&i=8270&t=8224


Perth theatres often get criticised for not actively employing WA talent. People expressed disappointment that seemingly not many WA actors were involved in the Perth Festival (...I know of at least one!). The impression is that, to be deemed succesful, WA actors must leave to find work in other states, and then will be welcomed back as 'one of our own'. And we are quick to claim anyone succesful as being 'from WA', even if they were originally from somewhere else and only trained here. Or if they were here originally but left and got their training and success elsewhere.
There is often more than a hint of resentment when artists from other states get cast in WA productions. Yet I'm sure we expect to get a fair go when we travel interstate in search of work.

Do other states have this same fixation?
If you're a WAAPA grad, do you identify yourself as being from WA? Or it something you'd prefer wasn't associated with you?
Is it important to give preference to local casts? What qualifies you as local?
Is it where you're from? Or where you studied? Or where you are now?
Does it matter?

Cheers,
Craig