The theatre files: the money is out there

Page 9

Although it has been said many times before, and in many different ways, the federal government's current war against the tobacco companies has the potential to cost the entertainment and sports industry plenty. And in more ways then one. While this is early on in the battle, there is the potential for some very serious, and bizarre side effects.

As a former artistic director of a small Native theatre company, a non-profit one at that, a large part of my responsibilities included the never-ending, constant beating of the bushes for funding, grants, and endorsements to help feed, clothe, and house all the staff that we called family. We love them and want to take care of them.

But in recent years, the constant cuts in municipal, provincial, and federal moneys allocated to the arts has limited our ability to provide the necessities of life for our growing family. Add to that, the sudden attack on the tobacco industry who have always been sympathetic to our cause (albeit for reasons of their own), have left us in a bit of a pickle. It's the equivalent of your Mom feeding you only half a sandwich, then telling you that you can't grab a bite at Macdonalds.

It became more apparent when we received a much needed grant from one of the major tobacco organizations to sponsor one of the mainstage productions. We were very delighted that our actors wouldn't have to put off those long awaited operations until we read the line ". . .The Tobacco Act (Bill C-71), which may impact on our ability to fulfill our undertaking to sponsor numerous Canadian arts endeavors, possibly including yours. Please understand that our grant as outlined herein may be subject to this." The federal government had been there, peeing in our Rice Crispies.

It's been said that nature abhors a vacuum. I believe people will still want to write, act and see plays regardless of how much money is available to produce this noble work, and there are only so many one-person plays on a totally black set with a single light bulb as atmosphere that the audience will tolerate. People and theatre companies will find a way to finance their productions.

As a consequence, I was forced into a position of finding, shall we say, alternative sources of funding. I have pursued avenues that, until recently, would never have occurred to me or my peers. We found ourselves weighing ethical and moral dilemmas resulting from the search for money. Ones that far outweigh the tobacco issue.

For instance, as a Native theatre company, there would be certain problems should we consider approaching Labbatts, Molsons, Seagrams or any number of liquor organizations. An understandable difficulty but when you reach your second or third cash flow problem in a season, those moral difficulties begin to carry less weight. Always remember, there's nothing scarier then hungry costume designers. I myself wouldn't have a problem taking money from these organizations, I personally am delighted that they would be interested in putting money back into the Native community, but unlike most other theatre companies, Native Earth must answer and be responsible to it's community. Again, a pickle. Feed your actors or be sensitive to the concerns of the community.

Ironically, I was once approached by an intermediary acting on behalf of some cigarette smugglers, back when there was still some profit in it. They were interested in putting some money back into the community. Would Native Earth like to be a part of that community? My beloved general manager shrugged for a moment, simply saying "all money has blood on it, if you follow it back far enough. Sure, we'll take it." She then added quickly "as long as they're not drug smugglers." I assured her they weren't. But as things turned out, we never heard from them again anyway.

Last year somebody who shall remain nameless approached me about a rather unconventional sponsor. I was asked if I would have a problem taking a donation/grant/sponsorship from a srip club. Again, an interesting dilemma. Should we, as a socially responsible theatre company take money from a business that has been accused of exploiting and degrading women? Then as I hear grumbling coming from the stomachs of several stage managers I know, I can't help but think that many of these women (and men I might add) make more a week then I or the average stage managers make in a month. I personally could handle that kind of exploitation.

I could also do the Sister Theresa route. This paragon of virtue has rubbed elbows with such questionable luminaries as the Duvaliers, formally of Haiti, Charles Keating, currently under the hospitality of the American penal system, and the Hoxhas, former rulers of Albania. All in the pursuit of raising money to fund her orphanage in India. Would I have brunch with Mummar Kadaffi to finance the first all Native production of Henry V . Good question. I don't know?

One could always imitate little league baseball I suppose. You've seen kids playing on baseball diamonds across North America, all wearing shirts listing the team sponsor on the back. Picture a production of Chorus Line with all the dancers wearing Petro Canada jackets (not that I have anything against Petro Canada). Or Julius Caesar with togas courtesy of Honest Ed's (again, not that I have anything against Honest Ed's.) But in this changing economic environment, anything is possible.

For a brief moment I also thought about stealing an idea from the film industry. The concept of product placement. For a small investment fee, use a particular company's product in the actual show. Putting a strategically placed can of Coke on the stage of The Glass Menagerie. Having Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman actually sell something on-stage, like Second Cup Coffee, the logo plastered all over his brief case and car. Maybe eating Pizza Pizza during A Long Day's Journey into Night. Then again, maybe it wouldn't work. Please keep in mind these are dependents to feed.

he last image I would like to leave you with is from the movie Rocky. Remember him walking into the ring for the crucial fight with Apollo Creed at the end of the movie. On the back of his robe was a small advertisement for a meat packing plant. His brother-in-law, Pauly, got $2,000 for placing it there.

Oh my God, will we be reduced to that?