Dear editor:
Hot Springs Pocket Community Theatre has just rung down the curtain on its 90th production since first raising it 1992. They are already hard at work rehearsing the much-requested "Harvey," opening April 10.
At the beginning, the Pocket produced only four productions a year. After buying the old Ramble Elementary School 10 years ago, they started presenting six plays a year.
From its inception, the Pocket Theatre has been an all-volunteer organization and has never changed. Volunteers direct and act in the plays, build and paint the sets, staff the office, run the lights and audio, write the publicity and run the concession area.
However, the theater couldn't survive without the support of the local businesses. For instance: the programs are printed courtesy of Alliance Business Machines, other printing is donated by Bill Hall Printers, costumes and props have often been donated by Hot Springy Dingy, Peter's Paint has been generous supplying paint for our sets and even for the new look on the outside of our building.
Each production has unique expenses associated with it. To begin with, there are royalties that have to be paid to the publisher for each night the plays is presented. It can total anywhere from $450 to $700-plus. There's the cost of lumber to build the set, costume rental, props, as well as insurance.
The only income is from six plays a year, totaling 36 days. One can easily see that ticket sales can only cover a small portion of theater expenses.
Heat, air conditioning and electricity costs continue during the six weeks the theater is dark, while the new production is in rehearsal. Even these expenses couldn't be paid without the generous contributions from our patrons. This past summer, the old air conditioner went out. Two volunteers co-signed a note for over $8,000. Recently, an important element of our ancient stage lighting system broke. Parts are no longer available. It will cost thousands of dollars to upgrade the lighting. The theater needs items that can't be purchased by our wonderful audiences.
"Why don't they just get a grant?" you ask. When the theater feebly attempted to apply for a grant, the answer was, "You need a number of paid employees before we can give you any money." If they had the money for paid employees, they would probably have enough money to make these repairs themselves. It's a Catch 22.
There is a saying in Hollywood, "You can't get a job in the business without a Union card. And you can't get a Union card without having a job in the business." Another Catch 22.
The Pocket needs someone to pick up the ball and run with it. Are there grants out there for our community theater? The theater that has successfully brought the best of Broadway to Hot Springs for over 22 years?
Gene Forsyth
Hot Springs
Editorial on 02/23/2015