RED CARPET

rolling out the red carpet for all to come in.......so how about this....a building that is used for theatre and leased to a theatre group and is supposed to also be available for use by the public and other companies/clubs/associatons cannot find any time available for Scarp even tho we requested time in 1998 for some time in 1999 (none available) and then requested time early in 1999 for time in 2000 and still nothing available....gee i find that amazing...simply amazing....gee and we were only wanting one week rehearsal and 2 weekends...Teri(not giving up)Welch

It sure is amazing! Do we really have a theatre group who never has a black period, they must be doing great box office? With the average season of normally of about 6 performances over 2 weeks - that would be over 20 seasons per year! Even if this was not the case and they could only manage 12/year - it would be out standing, not only here but in the world!Sounds like the old "keep of our patch" creeping in, like it was a long time ago. Even to a point where an actor was sent to Coventry (East Perth in our case) if they dared to do a show in another groups production. I thought this only happened in the country (Mandurah is very much a 'country town'). It seams we are not alone after all.We have enough problems with Councils and the usage of performing arts centres these days. That like community groups should be assisting each other and by doing so increase the punter base to our own venues, therefore reducing the forced usage of PAC venues at greater cost to everyone.These PAC venues, while obviously filling a need, have an inherent problem of being 'For Only Profit' - not as they are originally proposed 'Not For Profit' as Councils like to state when they solicit funding to build them - Then they scream when they have to keep on supporting them. So they hand it over to a management who is given a brief to reduce the amount Councils have to shell out each year. In turn the management, to save there jobs, charge the locals Pro rates while kissing the backsides of the Pro's and giving them sweet heart deals , so they can boast the professionalism of the venue.Mind you to a certain extent it is our own fault, as we tend to go cap in hand, by saying "we are only an amateur theatre", as soon as we say it - those little extras are applied, that boost their coffers - Unfortunately as they are Professional they tend to think Œwe don¹t know¹ so are fair game.Woops - sorry got on my milk crate again - this does not solve your amazing problem - Teri.I am glad you not giving up - go get 'em.It would be nice to hear from this group and for them to be able to justify their actions - this is a good place for it!Best of Luck - TOI TOI TOI CHOOCKAS - TERI> Teri(not giving up)Welch
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First of all I would like to express the view that the ITA gossip pages should not be used for complaints about anonymous groups or individuals. If you have a complaint and wish to make it public then be honest and say whom you are talking about.Teri's complaint is about the KADS theatre in Kalamunda. KADS has been producing a full program of shows for the public for over 25 years and in 2000 we will be producing 4 plays, a one-act festival season, a cabaret as well as a number of courses in acting, directing, lighting etc. We also have made an effort over many years to support new performers in the acting, directing, technical and play writing areas. Recent examples were our support for Jodie Cant's production of "Almost Blue" and Dan Wall's production of "Ed the Anti-Christ".For those of you who know our small, 60 seat, theatre we have no wing space or back-stage area and sets have to be built on the stage. We have no rehearsal areas or green room and only a minimal change room and kitchen. You can imagine the pressure on these facilities with a program as outlined. Every major production has to start rehearsals in people's living rooms and cannot access a stage until the previous production is finished. As soon as a production is finalised the set is bumped and construction starts immediately on the next set. We could hire additional rehearsal and/or construction areas but so can other groups.Our facilities are available to other groups for events such as meetings, talks etc. but we do not have free time during the year for other theatre groups to rehearse and stage productions.George & Terry Hackett

So as not to air our 'dirty laundry' I have chosen to reply to George and Terry's email, AND not to this gossip page.However, please forgive me for my tardiness in NOT naming KADS as the guilty party. It wasn't lack of honesty it was simply that i didn't want to name names and point fingers. I really just wanted to make a comment.Kind RegardsTeri Welch

I think the reason the 'real gossip' page is broken is cause of Jamie and Tai rubbing whatever on the seat to keep it warm....eheheHot Seat Teri

As a theatre practitioner and professional arts consultant who has had the good fortune to have worked with, and be nutured by, both KADS & Scarp I would firstly like to express my support for the important work that both companies have done, are doing and will continue to do. Their dual presence in the hills area makes it the most dynamic of arts communities in Perth, covering a range of ages and interests in the performing arts. Their contribution to performing arts training and production is highly commendable, in the face of ongoing funding and operational challenges.I would be saddened (and astonished) to see the relationship between the two organisations become adversarial because of building access (!). As I see it, the depth of experience that exists within the steering committees of the two groups should enable KADS & Scarp to negotiate an arrangement that is fair and equitable for both parties. Surely the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre and the KADS buildings could become the dual residencies of both KADS & Scarp and that regular cross-tenure could be programmed in advance to allow for the venues to be used by both groups, depending not on out-moded notions of territoriality but on the style and scale of the productions.
KADS cannot afford to hamper the efforts of Scarp because it would be in conflict with its own vocalised desire to foster new and emerging talent (Scarp's reputation in the Youth Arts area is growing rapidly). Furthermore, Scarp will essentially be providing flow through casts and crew for future KADS membership. Scarp needs KADS support too because KADS has survived in difficult circumstances for many years and can provide essential advice and moral support to nuture the future that Scarp represents.I expect to hear that Scarp & KADS have resolved what I believe are actually minor logistical issues, and are getting on with what they are both good at and that's producing excellent, well-supported, community-minded performing arts works. I will be very dissapointed if this does not eventuate - for all our sakes.Jamie Cant
Director of Drama - Helena Rising

For once in my life I'm speechless...Except to say that Tai and I have worked well as a creative team over the years but I don't think either of us have ever considered seat-warming activities as being part of our repetoire...JC

you mean you didn't post the - Jamie and Tai heating the seat???? oops sorry then jamie......~ya did so~ he he heTeri

We can take the heat baby...These theatre chairs "ain't big enough for the both of us"...A couch? Now ya talkin "pilgrim..."JC & TO

EMAILNOTICES>no> Mind you to a certain extent it is our own fault, as we tend
> to go cap in hand, by saying "we are only an amateur theatre",
> as soon as we say it - those little extras are applied, that boost
> their coffers - Unfortunately as they are Professional they tend to
> think Œwe don¹t know¹ so are fair game.Hear, hear.
Do I hear echos of an old battle cry?"We are not Amateur.We are Passionate, Yes.
We are Dedicated, Yes.We are Unskilled, No.
We are Second-rate, No.We are Theatre!"Good to see that this point is still thought about from time-to-time. So Joe, what would you suggest we do to right this mis-understanding?Jeff "Town Crier" Watkins