To localtalent; I disagree with your blanket statement. From 2000 through 2003 while Bob Vargo was Managing Director, auditions were open to ALL. Board members were not permitted to direct or 'STAR' in productions and a mentoring program for new directors (of which I was one) was initiated. Those from other amateur theater groups were regularly cast. Vargo himself, never appeared on stage. He also initiated a Theater Cooperative which involved more than twenty groups who met to discuss and solve local theater problems. In all fairness to Easy Street; they are a semi-professional theater group in that they have a core group of performers, some of who are paid for their work. Easy Street is therefore, not a community theater.
Local performing Theatre groups DO cooperate by way of borrowing and lending costumes, stage sets, lighting instruments and a myriad of other items. The Playhouse has always been a major provider of such items. Based on our population, there are sufficient numbers to support existing theaters. The quality of performances, the selection of play and musical titles and vigorous fund-raising by its board are areas in which the current Playhouse board has faltered. Rather than be negative and condemning, let's give The Playhouse some breathing time to set its new course.
To anyone wishing to spread misinformation and negativity; I will not engage in any sort of brinkmanship. I will do what I can with the resources available to me to answer any questions with factual information. Despite the negativity displayed on this site, I continue to believe there are enough people, both young and old, who want to preserve The Youngstown Playhouse. Pointing fingers and restating the past, adnausiam, is neither constructive nor worth one's time.
I made my statement and did not intend to address specifics in the posting. As for you, my friend, I will simply leave you to wallow in negativity which seems to be your favorite thing to do. However, if you will list specific questions, I'll be happy to do the research for you. I have access to administrators and board members who served in the PAST. They have agreed to provide me with background. They've also asked me to act as a clearing house for information rather than to respond individually. Using this group of individuals I think I can find information you require or at least steer you in the proper direction. Let's dedicate ourselves to TRUTH and THE POSITIVE rather than the spewing of vitriol. Also, I am curious; do you have a personal axe to grind? Did The Playhouse or someone associated with it fail to recognize your astute mastery of observation or your massive theatrical talents? Your posts sound like sour grapes in the guise of a concerned citizen. Or am I wrong???
There is so much misinformation posted on this site. Speculation is presented as fact and everyone seems to be an expert. How many community theaters have YOU operated? Do you have professional credits? What purpose does your post serve other than to feed your ego? Youngstown seems to be populated by dabsters who only emerge from the shadows to beat an ailing organization further into disrepute by spreading half truths, non-facts and purely self-serving venom. This is YOUR community, you know. As I watched the State Theater being demolished I could only bemoan the lack of appreciation we have for our cultural institutions; especially our performance groups. Spreading misinformation of the nature and scope represented in this site is not constructive and is simply unfair to a venerable institution and the thousands of talented people; young and old who are its life blood.
As sad as these photos are, the failure of the Playhouse board to support it's operation is sadder yet. Several years ago, The Playhouse was remodeled to perfection, including new dressing rooms, lobby, offices, heating and air conditioning and a new elevator. Those charged with its well-being did not maintain the facility, did not complete the renovations and did not live up to their responsibility as board members.
The video is disheartening. It has the ring of a lackluster, do nothing board. The primary function of a 501 (c)(3) board is the raising of funds to operate the facility and the organization. We should be able to see a print out of how much each board member and the board as a whole raised during each of the past five years. Bequests and large donations from sources other than the board DO NOT COUNT in the equation. This information should be easily and freely available since a 502... exists at the pleasure of the people.... WE the people.
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
To localtalent; I disagree with your blanket statement. From 2000 through 2003 while Bob Vargo was Managing Director, auditions were open to ALL. Board members were not permitted to direct or 'STAR' in productions and a mentoring program for new directors (of which I was one) was initiated. Those from other amateur theater groups were regularly cast. Vargo himself, never appeared on stage. He also initiated a Theater Cooperative which involved more than twenty groups who met to discuss and solve local theater problems. In all fairness to Easy Street; they are a semi-professional theater group in that they have a core group of performers, some of who are paid for their work. Easy Street is therefore, not a community theater.
January 25, 2009 at 7 p.m. permalink suggest removal
The arts fight to the death
Local performing Theatre groups DO cooperate by way of borrowing and lending costumes, stage sets, lighting instruments and a myriad of other items. The Playhouse has always been a major provider of such items. Based on our population, there are sufficient numbers to support existing theaters. The quality of performances, the selection of play and musical titles and vigorous fund-raising by its board are areas in which the current Playhouse board has faltered. Rather than be negative and condemning, let's give The Playhouse some breathing time to set its new course.
January 15, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
To anyone wishing to spread misinformation and negativity; I will not engage in any sort of brinkmanship. I will do what I can with the resources available to me to answer any questions with factual information. Despite the negativity displayed on this site, I continue to believe there are enough people, both young and old, who want to preserve The Youngstown Playhouse. Pointing fingers and restating the past, adnausiam, is neither constructive nor worth one's time.
January 11, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
I made my statement and did not intend to address specifics in the posting. As for you, my friend, I will simply leave you to wallow in negativity which seems to be your favorite thing to do. However, if you will list specific questions, I'll be happy to do the research for you. I have access to administrators and board members who served in the PAST. They have agreed to provide me with background. They've also asked me to act as a clearing house for information rather than to respond individually. Using this group of individuals I think I can find information you require or at least steer you in the proper direction. Let's dedicate ourselves to TRUTH and THE POSITIVE rather than the spewing of vitriol. Also, I am curious; do you have a personal axe to grind? Did The Playhouse or someone associated with it fail to recognize your astute mastery of observation or your massive theatrical talents? Your posts sound like sour grapes in the guise of a concerned citizen. Or am I wrong???
January 11, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
There is so much misinformation posted on this site. Speculation is presented as fact and everyone seems to be an expert. How many community theaters have YOU operated? Do you have professional credits? What purpose does your post serve other than to feed your ego? Youngstown seems to be populated by dabsters who only emerge from the shadows to beat an ailing organization further into disrepute by spreading half truths, non-facts and purely self-serving venom. This is YOUR community, you know. As I watched the State Theater being demolished I could only bemoan the lack of appreciation we have for our cultural institutions; especially our performance groups. Spreading misinformation of the nature and scope represented in this site is not constructive and is simply unfair to a venerable institution and the thousands of talented people; young and old who are its life blood.
January 11, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Playhouse
As sad as these photos are, the failure of the Playhouse board to support it's operation is sadder yet. Several years ago, The Playhouse was remodeled to perfection, including new dressing rooms, lobby, offices, heating and air conditioning and a new elevator. Those charged with its well-being did not maintain the facility, did not complete the renovations and did not live up to their responsibility as board members.
January 9, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Playhouse
The video is disheartening. It has the ring of a lackluster, do nothing board. The primary function of a 501 (c)(3) board is the raising of funds to operate the facility and the organization. We should be able to see a print out of how much each board member and the board as a whole raised during each of the past five years. Bequests and large donations from sources other than the board DO NOT COUNT in the equation. This information should be easily and freely available since a 502... exists at the pleasure of the people.... WE the people.
January 9, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
To the poster who referenced the IRS. The Youngstown Playhouse is a 501(c)(3)non-profit entity and as such, pays no taxes to the IRS.
January 9, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. permalink suggest removal