Conference waylay::theatre

Live Theatre... It Won't Kill You

At Court Street in Nashua:

	March 6 to 23		Rumors			Neil Simon
	
	April 10 to 20		Sylvia			A. R. Gurney

	May 1 to  18		Dames At Sea	

	October 9 to 19		Scotland Road


	4-play subscriptions run $45 - $72


At the Summer Stage in Milford:

	June 5 to 15		Always... Patsy Cline

	June 26 to July 6	Tea and Sympathy

	July 10 to 20		Accomplice

	July 24 to Aug 3	{TBA}

	Aug 7 to 17		Cabaret

	Aug 21 to 31		Moon Over Buffalo	Ken Ludwig


	5-play subscriptions run $62 - $117


	$7 discount If you subscribe to all 9 plays.

	For Information, call ASF at (603) 886-7000

[from the New Hampshire Weekly section of the Boston Sunday Globe, 3/23/97]

American Stage fights for its life

NASHUA - More than any other art form, theater is the most magical.  On stage,
the labors of many harmonize to create whole worlds from apparently nothing,
transporting and transforming the audience.  But the magic itself is
deceiving, and the price of success is that people can take it for granted.

Such is the case for the American Stage Festival, which is in the financial
fight of its life.

"In a very real sense, we did our job too well.  After major deficit problems,
we finished our 1993, 1994, and 1995 seasons in the black.  During that time,
we did not keep up our appeals to the local community for support.  That
silence has cost us now," artistic director Matthew Parent said at a Nashua
press conference last week.

While comparable theaters nationally rely on 60 percent earned income (ticket
sales) and 40 percent contributed income (community and corporate support),
American Stage Festival relies on 85 percent earned income and only 8 percent
contributed income.  Public support plummeted from $211,000 in 1990 to
$129,000 in 1993 and to $60,000 in 1996.  If this downward trend continues,
the American Stage Festival will close its doors this year.

The American Stage Festival first needs to raise $250,000 by May 15.  It then
needs to raise an additional $250,000 by Dec. 1 to clear its deficit of
$180,000 at the Milfort theater only, and $80,000 more at both locations.

The good news is that ASF has received pledges of $130,000.  Hitchiner
Manufacturing has pledged a $15,000 matching grant.  The Bean Foundation has
pledged a $20,000 matching grant.  Much more public, corporate, and private
support is needed.

"The City of Nashua is committed to the presence of American Stage Festival as
evidenced by its commitment of $1 million in the current and future
renovations to the property and by its high attendance record.  We need
community support to make sure the theater remains a vital part of Nashua,"
said Mayor Donald Davidson.

American Stage Festival is the only year-round equity theater in the state.
"Equity is the nationwide, worldwide actors union and has come to be known as
a mark of quality.  It means we can bring in better quality performers,
stars like Bonnie Franklin or Valerie Harper, but even the average performer
in our shows is professional," said managing directory Troy Siebels.

"Other theaters present touring shows, but we generate everything from the
ground up.  We hire a director, designers, actors from all over the country as
well as the local area, and put together a very high-quality peformance," said
Siebels.

"It is important that people realize that this is not an annual fund-raising
campaign.  This is a 'Save the Theater' campaign.  It is a do or die
situation.  If we do not meet this goal, it would be a terrible loss to the
community because of the wide variety of arts that we bring to this area,
because of all the educational programs we offer, and the economic impact we
have had in both Nashua and Milford," Siebels said.
							- D. Quincy Whitney

[American Stage Festival's address in Nashua is 14 Court Street, Nashua, NH
03060]

	I volunteer a lot of time at ASF and I can tell you that they are
really doing quality professional theater on a shoestring.

So what can folks do to help?

        Go see a show:

        "Rumors" just closed last night but A.  R.  Gurney's "Sylvia" opens
April 10th.  "Dames at Sea" open May 1st.  Ticket sales don't cover all the
costs, but it helps.  Also, most people won't donate money to an unknown
arts cause.  The more folks that see what's being done, the more likely
folks will give.  The studio theater in Nashua is a nice, intimate space.


        Tell your friends:

        Word of mouth is better than all the press in the world.  Even
mentioning a play you didn't like can generate interest.  If you have
friends in small (or even large) businesses in the area, talk to them and
see if they'd be willing to contributed money, goods or services in
exchange
for program or sponsorship mention.


        Subscribe:

        Subscriptions help out in terms of cash flow and are guaranteed
income.  If you subscribe, you're more likely to see something you like
that you never would have thought of going to otherwise.  Subscribers 
enjoy ticket exchange privileges and additional discounts.


        Donate money:


	NH is 11th per capita in income in the US and 48-50th in 
charitable giving.  (50th two years ago, 48th last year.) If you think 
theater is important (or just want to see your name in the program) and can 
donate $1000, great.  If all you can afford is $5, even that helps.  Money 
donated to ASF is tax deductible.  If every ticket purchased last year donated 
$5, ASF would reach their goal easily.

        You can contact ASF at 603-889-2330 or 603-886-7000.


						--Doug

                                                                          

>"Dames at Sea" open May 1st.  

I've never had the pleasure of seeing the show, but I've heard a
recording and it's got some jolly fine tunes.

Good luck!

regards,
//alan

                         American Stage Festival
                                 presents

                              A. R Gurney's

                                 "Sylvia"

            at the Studio Theatre at 14 Court Street in Nashua
                    (Right next to the Nashua Library)

                        April 10 to 20, Wed - Sun

               A street-smart, mixed breed DOG named Sylvia
            takes a married couple through a series of amusing
            complications until they finally learn the art of
         compromise.  Join this couple as they deal with problems
                that occur when the other woman is a DOG!
                     (contains some mature language)


                       Tickets range from $14 - $20

                      For tickets, call 603-886-7000