Equity and local theater

In an article by Alicia Anstead, “Is it curtains for Penobscot Theatre?” (BDN, May 30), some interesting points were brought up. The article stated it has been Mark Torres’ dream from the beginning to turn Penobscot Theatre Company into an “Equity house” and that he has been adamant about this and “has every right to be.” Indeed he does, but I’m concerned, as the article also states, that local actors don’t feel they can openly give their opinions on the state of affairs at PTC.

Being a veteran of 25 productions at the theater (one previous to Mark’s arrival), I’ll speak up. I am speaking for myself and not representing any other individuals or groups.

The Actors’ Equity Association refers to a labor union that was conceived, in part, to “guarantee salaries and benefits, minimum salaries, rehearsal pay and protections in dealings with theatrical agents.” (www.actorsequity.org) There are many ways to obtain an Equity card, but the point I hope to make clear is it is a union and while many extremely talented individuals belong to it, being a member does not, in and of itself, guarantee outstanding or even a minimum level of talent. It simply means you’ve worked at an Equity house under an Equity contract, been a member of good standing in a sister union for at least a year or been accepted into an Equity Membership Candidate Program.

The reason I mention this is it concerns me that suddenly “local artist” seems to be in danger of becoming a pejorative term. I hope I am incorrect, but one can’t help noticing they are steadily disappearing from regular season shows and the Maine Shakespeare Festival. Too bad! Local artists have been the backbone of PTC for most of its 29 years of existence and the workhorses that helped make the festival what it was in its first seven summers. I’m sure any of the public that were treated to shows like “Amadeus,” “Noises Off,” “A Flea in Her Ear,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “Angels in America” and “Sweeney Todd” can be proud of the fact that their local folk more than held their own alongside any of the Equity actors in those productions.

I have been fortunate to work with some wonderfully talented Equity actors over the years and some equally talented non-Equity actors. This is not a diatribe against union actors, but belonging to a union does not guarantee excellence and not belonging to one doesn’t mean a lack thereof.

In an area of this size it makes little sense for our local artists to join a union and some actors, regardless of their location, simply choose not to because of the work limitations it can bring or it goes against their “maverick” natures. There are many nonunion actors making good livings in the theater and there are many Equity actors waiting tables in sight of the lights of Broadway, but that may be as close as they ever get.

No matter in what direction Torres decides to take the theater in the future (and this local actor hopes and believes PTC will be here for a long time to come), local actors have done more than their share to make PTC what it is today. This is not the first financial crisis the theater has weathered.

When Torres arrived 10 years ago he was greeted with similar inherited monetary problems. Local actors came to the rescue then and it’s my hope that PTC and the public don’t forget that.

It does this community and its smaller theaters and other artistic venues nothing but good to have a strong, vibrant and flourishing Penobscot Theatre Company and regardless of Equity vs. non-Equity, I encourage the public to vigorously show their support.

Julie Arnold Lisnet, of Bangor, is a founding member and director of Ten Bucks Theatre Company Inc., which stages productions at Brewer Middle School Theatre.