Donations sought to keep Theater Voices going
ALBANY, N.Y >> There is a well-known saying that states, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” For anyone who has attended a Theater Voices show, that might be hard to believe.
The Albany-based organization has been offering four expertly performed productions a year since they were formed in 1989. For 108 productions over 31 years of existence, they have never charged an admission fee.
Granted, Theater Voices offers staged readings not fully mounted productions, but the work is always of the highest quality. To many, the experience is even better than a free lunch.
It might be over. Theater Voices is in financial trouble and unless the public responds this might be the organization’s final season.
Eileen Schuyler, the organization’s Artistic Director said, “There is no problem with the two remaining shows of the season. “The Subject Was Roses” will be offered April 12-14 and “Chapatti” closes the season May 17-19.”
However, Schuyler insists unless Theater Voices is certain that they are financially solvent by the end of this season, they will not produce in 2019-2020.
“This is real” she says. “We have never cried “Wolf”, and we are not trying to use threats to raise money. We are being responsible to ourselves and our audience.”
What is frustrating about the situation is the company’s annual budget is a mere $12,000. Indeed, in the world of entertainment where theater tickets usually cost well-over $100 and budgets of theater companies run into multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars, a sum like $12,000 seems like chump change. Which it may be - unless you don’t have $12,000.
Part of the problem is the format of the work Theater Voices offers. Many play reading series are generic in nature. The norm is actors meet during the day and run through the material and discuss the work. That evening they sit at music stands and read. It’s difficult for the public to relate that to costing money.
Theater Voices is different. The cast rehearses eight to ten times and perform four times over a single weekend. They rehearse during show week and put in lights and effects at Steamer No 10, their performance space for the past 17 years.
This format costs money. They must rent the theater for a week and pay royalties for four performances.
Other expenses are minor — program printing, meals for actors on two-aday performance, etc. Actors are not paid, and the staff is all volunteer, and there is no advertising. To reduce costs, the company stopped mailing mailers for each show, deciding instead to send only a season announcement.
The only revenue comes from donations at shows and city and state grants. The City of Albany discontinued their Arts Grants a couple of years ago and Theater Voices just learned they will not be receiving their annual State Council on the Arts Decentralization grant.
“They are going in a different direction,’ explains Schuyler. “They appear to be focusing on using their grants to help support individual artists. We understand and have no resentment.”
Schuyler said the company has a loyal and devoted following, most of whom donate small amounts every year. “Most of our donations are in the $25-$50 range,” she says, adding that a $100 check is not rare.
She added there are occasions where Theater Voices really touches someone and they respond generously. To make her point she tells of a couple who used to come to every performance. “The wife was blind. She would tell us, our productions were her favorite entertainment.
“I understand that. At our performances everything is stripped bare. All the actors have are the words and they know they have no place to hide. It usually results in finding insights within the material not offered in fully mounted productions.”
Schuyler said that when the woman died, the husband wrote a large check to the organization thanking us for the pleasure they gave to his wife. He also hoped our work would continue to bring joy to others.”
“That’s what we want to do,” she noted. “To continue to bring pleasure to others and make free entertainment available to those who might not be able to afford high priced theater.”
For that to happen they need help. Donations can be made by going to their website, theatervoices.org