NEIL HAVEN

Hi Jim, Nice letter, a lot of good questions brought up. I have a reply on the matter, forward it on to the list if you'd like. Let me know if you do.

I also have misgivings about an awards ceremony in such a small theatre community, although I believe and hope that those promoting it are doing so with the best of intentions: encouraging quality theatre, and bringing annual attention in the community to the theatre scene. With the the newspapers suffering, how are we going to keep the public abreast of Milwaukee Theatre happenings? But you bring up a lot of good arguments for this particular solution, Jim.

I whole-heartedly agree with your proposal of an annual gathering, featuring skits, karaoke, speeches, perhaps some roasting or satire of the local scene. Perhaps there would even be opportunity for a session of accolades, without it being an awards process. Maybe a representative from each theatre with an opportunity to tout some highlights and acknowledge outstanding work.

As a young struggling community member, (or partial member in the past two years that I've been at school in Vegas,) I've been aware of various annual social gatherings: Christmas parties, cast parties, end of season parties, the nights out after Combat. Some of these events I've been invited to and some I've not. It would be nice to have an annual event that was open to all so that no one would be questioning whether they deserved to be there, questioning whether they are part of the "old boys club" yet.

It seems that, as with Nick Cave's sentiments, there will be some in the Milwaukee theatre community that decide not to participate in any awards ceremony. But it may go forth anyway, and many others will likely choose to participate. Instead of focusing on a boycott of their efforts, perhaps those uninterested parties should politely withdraw from any nominations and put their efforts into organizing the "Milwaukee Theatre Party." My point being, whether you support the awards ceremony or not, let's pursue the theatre gathering idea regardless. We need not be limited to one or the other.


-Neil Haven