<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">greetings to all my <span id="yiv361822082misspell-0">friends</span> and extended theater family out there!</span></font></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I have been reading all the posts with an open mind and due diligence. I think there have been many excellent points made on all sides of the
equation.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I know it shouldn't matter, but I am a <span id="yiv361822082misspell-1">Caucasian</span>Male in my 40's and have had a number of <span id="yiv361822082misspell-2">experiences</span>around this town both good and bad over the last few years. I came to the theater late in life and have been in several shows at several theaters in the last several years. I find it surprising that the readers of this list take a higher expectation of the people that make decisions for on stage then they do our politicians.. or our teachers.. or voice coaches or drama
coaches, or even the guy that changes the oil in our cars. We should not give so much power to others, but rather let our art speak for itself! </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I am sure in my heart.. that every director, board member, musical director, and anyone else that may have a part in the process of community casting do their best to be fair, right, and decent in their minds. I once went to great effort to get permission from a director of a current show I was in that was in <span id="yiv361822082misspell-3">rehearsals...</span>to skip a part of a <span
id="yiv361822082misspell-4">choreographers</span> <span id="yiv361822082misspell-3">rehearsal</span> <span id="yiv361822082misspell-4">after</span>2 hours so that I could go and <span id="yiv361822082misspell-5">audition</span>at an "<i><span style="font-style: italic;">open call 7-9 pm</span></i>". I arrived at the theater listed for <span id="yiv361822082misspell-0">auditions</span>, only to find a nearly empty <span id="yiv361822082misspell-8">building</span>where another show was <span id="yiv361822082misspell-9">rehearsing</span>, and I had to interrupt them to try to find out <span id="yiv361822082misspell-10">where</span>the <span id="yiv361822082misspell-11">auditions</span> were.. or were supposed to be!</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> I made a sacrifice and so did the theater and director that I had made a <span id="yiv361822082misspell-0">commitment</span> to, as well as the cast of that show; that was in current <span id="yiv361822082misspell-1">choreography</span><span id="yiv361822082misspell-2">rehearsals</span>. After finding nothing at the time and place specified, I found a lousy excuse that few would find <span id="yiv361822082misspell-3">acceptable</span> when I made contact with the director; that had made the claim of 7-9 and <span id="yiv361822082misspell-4">ended</span>up not <span id="yiv361822082misspell-5">being</span> <span id="yiv361822082misspell-6">available</span> during that time, he made light of the cost to me personally as well as the show I was currently in!
When I did audition for him,<i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></i>I <span id="yiv361822082misspell-1"><span id="yiv361822082misspell-0">didn'</span></span>t feel <span id="yiv361822082misspell-2">comfortable</span> and was not surprised that I was not cast.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> I know better now that I should not have tried! It's unlikely that a director that left an "open <span id="yiv361822082misspell-1">audition</span>" early would admit their lack of faith, and I <span id="yiv361822082misspell-2">certainly</span>would not be cast when in a <span
id="yiv361822082misspell-3">position</span> to say that a director blew it! <span id="yiv361822082misspell-4">Especially</span>as most directors fall back on saying I could have cast better then you when they think the <span id="yiv361822082misspell-5">cast</span> of a show <span id="yiv361822082misspell-6">isn't</span> putting in enough to <span id="yiv361822082misspell-7">their</span> satisfaction.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> Sometimes things just don't go the way we think they should. I know I have come from auditions where I thought I wasn't given a fair shot at a part.. just as
I know my boss at work doesn't do things the way I want, theater producers don't choose what I like, and certainly there are many many instances in my career where I didn't like what was happening around me in terms of interpretation, blocking, direction of a part, or choreography. </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I find that I have redress by not going to certain theaters or dealing with certain directors once I have fulfilled the commitment I made them. I think many of us can relate to that. Its how it is! We would not badmouth a current production, but can make our feelings known by
never again being "<span id="yiv361822082misspell-12">available</span>" for certain people.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> Now I know that many in <span id="yiv361822082misspell-13">positions</span>of authority at any given theater might blame others by <span id="yiv361822082misspell-14">saying</span> there is no work ethic.. the talent pool has gone down.. ect.. I think they will comfort themselves with that and who can blame them? I would too if I earned a <span id="yiv361822082misspell-16">position</span> like that and started judging people, judging their skills, their personalities
and god knows what else so that only "I"(casting director) can see that they are slackers and no one e<span id="yiv361822082misspell-4">lse</span> can. Once a soul convinces itself that it can be judge, jury and executioner, its hard to give up that power. I know I wouldn't be able to...would you?</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">In the end.. I think we all know that those that complain the most about such <span id="yiv361822082misspell-17">things as" the lack of <span id="yiv361822082misspell-2">commitment</span> or talents willing to make the commitment" have lost touch with all that is
good and right about a passion that is always in renewal lil theater. </span>have lost the ability or the desire to inspire actors. Would you go back to a director or producer that values your skills if you could? if they were open to it? a good question many people should ask..</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> greetings to the freinds of theater!!!</span></font></div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span></font> </div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span></font> </div><div style="background: white;"
class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span></font> </div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Would it<var id="yui-ie-cursor"></var>be great if everyone got what they wanted? <span id="yiv361822082misspell-18">absolutely</span>!! would it sell tickets? make the show better? bring more people in the theater for the <span id="yiv361822082misspell-19">performance</span>? generate more good will to the community that lives directly around the theater? I think <span id="yiv361822082misspell-20">that's</span> a good question.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size:
12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I have no idea and can only have faith that those with <span id="yiv361822082misspell-21">decision</span> making power do know what is needed!</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I think in the end, we all want shows to do well in local theater! I think we can all agree that keeping the doors of any theater open from the smallest of local groups to the huge Equity shows that come to <span
id="yiv361822082misspell-22">Cleveland</span>that its all good for all of us! And the arts circuit of <span id="yiv361822082misspell-23"> Cleveland</span> ! not just theater. There are huge talents in this town with the Clevleand Orchestra..The Fine Arts Program, the Rock Hall, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the BW music program and the <span id="yiv361822082misspell-25">Cleveland</span> youth orchestraas well as so many other prograsm that deserve recognition and their own listing. In short, I think we should be using this venue for the betterment of all our borthers and sisters in the arts! They, like us are finding less and less apreciation! </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;"
class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Honestly.. who among us dares to judge??</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I know I someone might ask how about artistic risk taking? how about pushing limits? How about non-tradition casting? its art right??? And anything can be excused if its called art right??</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> One could bring in a cast of all <span id="yiv361822082misspell-26">Portuguese</span>accented people regardless of race, nationality or creed, and still have a bummer of a show <span id="yiv361822082misspell-27">don't</span> you think???</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">So where does that leave us?how can you accept those every day people trying to give a bit of joy to our family and <span
id="yiv361822082misspell-28">friends</span>while we are on stage? I <span id="yiv361822082misspell-29">personally</span>think it leaves us where we should be.. community <span id="yiv361822082misspell-30">performers</span> lucky to be in <span id="yiv361822082misspell-31"> Cleveland</span> where there is a lot to go out for...even if we <span id="yiv361822082misspell-32">don't</span> make it through the <span id="yiv361822082misspell-33">audition</span>.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Thank You for your time and attention.</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background:
white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Dave Strong </span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="black" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">440.655.1338</span></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="background: white;" class="yiv361822082MsoNormal"><font color="#0066cc" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="mailto:StropngTalkLLC@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:StropngTalkLLC@gmail.com">StropngTalkLLC@gmail.com</a></span></font></div></div></div></div></body></html>