Re: RAT One worm turning(3)

[nick <nick@nickspix.com>]

>>> nick <nick@nickspix.com> 05/05/99 01:29PM >>>
Dear Ben,

Thank you for the comprehensive and immediate answer to my email.  

Many RATs  would be interested in your response.  Most are unaware of your
efforts at outreach and the other changes you are trying to effect.  My
sense is that most know TCG only through its American Theatre publication.

With your permission, I would like to post your email to our listserv, the
rat-list.  Or alternatively, would you consider emailing it directly?  You
can subscribe/unsubscribe at the following web page. 

http://www.ratconference.com/cgi-bin/web_domo.pl?list=rat-list 

After you subscribe you send your email to rat-list@ratconference.com.
The recipients on the list represent many of the RAT theaters and
affiliated artists across the country.   

This July the Rat Conference will convene in Los Angeles.  The LA theaters
sponsoring it have formed a rat-inspired coalition called Big Cheap
Theater.  These dozen or so theaters have pooled their resources in some
very unique ways.  I am sure they will lead RAT in a new direction simply
by their abundance of new energy.  

BCT has its own listserv on which Steve Nunns' article was also posted.
Right now they too are having a "Battle of the Fests" problem.  The email
on the listserv has recently become very personal and real.  This is a good
thing, I think, for many reasons.  As within RAT, there are some
journalists who are members of BCT and its listserv.  Of course none would
write an article about this spat, for fear of being ostracized from the
community for such an indiscretion and abuse of power. 

"Most important, like a family, we need to find ways to disagree in private
but to speak together more effectively in public, even while disagreeing." 

These listserv communities, along with their Web pages, now challenge the
role of print journals such as American Theatre. This goes way beyond a
tone or style of writing; it goes to the heart of the issue.  Are you, or
are you not, a participating member of the community you exploit? 

I need to respond to your letter in more detail, but I wanted to get this
reply back to you now.  More later, and thanks for your interest.

Best,
Nick Fracaro