Re: RAT CONFERENCE 99 INFO

[ActorsGng1@aol.com]

Okay,

I just read 170 fucking e-mail messages.  I've been in S.F. for four days 
talking about theater (which I didn't think was a waste of time or somehow an 
inferior activity) and seeing theater, mostly done by what I consider 
inventive, imaginative and alternative companies from around the country.  I 
don't know if RAT = ALTERNATIVE or what.  I do know that my opinion of what 
is alternative, or good, or shitty, is MINE.  I don't expect anyone else to 
abide by it.  And I don't know who made Paul the final authority on what 
Alternative is.  I also disagree that taking money from foundations or 
governments or rich people or film companies or movie stars doesn't make 
theater bad, good, alternative or mainstream (in my opinion). And meeting 
about theater and being on Boards doesn't make you a lesser or better artist. 
 Good work is good. Bad work is bad. I don't give shit who pays for it.  I've 
seen a lot of "poor" theater in downtown L.A. (hell, I've done some) and I 
thought some of it was great and some of it sucked and it had nothing to do 
with how much money was spent. 

I've just met some RATS from around the country and they seem like good 
people.   But after reading all this petty, angry crap, I'm tempted to stay 
here.

Paul, and everyone else, have the right to their opinions and to voice them.  
And I have the right to think they're full of shit (in my opinion).

Mark Seldis
Actors' Gang
(y'know, the mainstream theater that doesn't do alternative work because we 
ocassionally have money).