RAT SF meeting in June

[BruPach@aol.com]

Hi-

My name is Bruce Pachtman, I'm a brand new member of RAT and would like to meet on Friday, June 1st with others in San Francisco. I am interested in meeting people from the Bay Area who are involved in this group.

Incidentally, I have a solo show that's been running in San Francisco for almost a year. It's called, "don't make me look too psychotic" and I'm not only the performer and writer but the producer and promotor as well. I also clean up after the audiences leave, stock the bathroom with toilet paper and operate the box office during the week. I'm sure this sounds familiar to many of you.

I've been following the recent discussion about theater and pricing with interest and some anxiety. My ticket prices are $15-$18 though no one is turned away for a lack of funds.I do earn a marginal living performing and more recently producing/publicizing/promoting and I want to continue to do that. 

This dialogue about what to charge (or not charge) for tickets has been very repectful and I appreciate that. I've been involved with internet groups where that is not the case and its caused great damage to the spirit of the group.

That said, I am feeling that there is some judgement going on in terms of how peole have chosen to operate in this society as artists. I had a hard time raising my ticket prices to their current levelt as much as I do and am often with people around me who want to increase the cost of my show a great deal. I'm holding back. Mostly, though they see that I've poured years of my life into this work and earning a living doing theater means I can devote more time to my art. I hope to avoid going back to a "day" job that will dissipate my strength and enthusiasim for what I love. In fact, I left the world of performance for a dozen years and only recently stumbled back into this world. 

I want to add that I'm glad the topic of ticket prices is being given some thoughtful consideration. I find that much of the expensive commercial creates a product that has little weight and lots of flash. I much prefer a more intimate and difficult theater expereince.

One final note. I invite anyone in SF who's a participant in this group to attend my show on a "pay what you can" basis. Or come as my guest if you'd like.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,
Bruce Pachtman



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