Comments on: It’s not transparency if you don’t talk about failure

By: NEXT… | Cambiare Productions

NEXT… | Cambiare Productions — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:59:58 +0000

[...] the flawed grant application the City granted us 77% of our request which should, with better fiscal husbandry, give us enough [...]

By: Rachel McGinnis

Rachel McGinnis — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:02:25 +0000

Ok, I'm risking pissing folks off, but that's never stopped me before.
About the multi-cultural/diversity issues, here's the thing: There are SO many multi-cultural projects in Austin that can't even find people to round out the casts. Prime example: Austin Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”. For goodness sake, I was cast as a Hispanic woman (in Texas!) because a director couldn't find someone to fill the role. How about throwing a bone to a company that casts lots of females in their 20s-30s–because that is a huge portion of the local talent pool that needs paid work. We're really freakin' hungry, and I constantly see postings for paid roles that I simply don't fit at all. Because those projects get the grant funding. Take a look at last season for Zach Scott. There was only 1 role for the entire Zach Scott season where I fit the specs and could even audition. And, yet, I'm part of the biggest segment of the talent pool in this town. The committee needs to consider the needs of the actors in this community and supporting them, as well as encouraging diversity. And it's also important for our culture that some companies nod to the history of theater and continue to perform the classics–or those new works which re-examine or elaborate on the classics. It's part of the dialogue of theater that HAS to continue. And there's tremendous value in that. I've used up my 2 cents.

By: Rachel McGinnis

Rachel McGinnis — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:02:25 +0000

By: callie kimball

callie kimball — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:41:30 +0000

For me, anyway, once I got a grant under my belt, it became easier to think of asking for funds. Not that I've actually ASKED for more funds, mind you, but the THOUGHT isn't as frightening.

People do want to give you money!

By: Travis Bedard

Travis Bedard — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:19:23 +0000

Thanks for that, we will.

We need to get more aggressive about funding, and less apologetic about asking.

By: Callie Kimball

Callie Kimball — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:14:40 +0000

Check out the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation. They give small, one-time grants to individual artists in support of specific projects, not companies, but I assume you fall into both categories. This year's round is done, but you can apply next year. A thought.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:47:16 +0000

Isn't the great irony when you have the numbers to prove support and impact, you also tend to have plenty of gas money.