Begging to Differ
Having lived in both Memphis and Knoxville, I found Nekos Barnes' Aug. 7 column entertaining and mostly accurate. I think he left one similarity out between the two cities. Both Memphis and Knoxville have people that would write an asinine letter [also Aug. 7] like "Of Kids and Roads."
In order:
1.) Children are sent to school to receive an education that gives them the ability to live a happy life and achieve what they wish. They must be educated on what is and isn't healthy to eat. After that, they can choose to eat what they want. The fact is that many kids are not going to receive this education of eating at home.
2.) Should we not devise new plans of action to remedy Knoxville's traffic problems because TDOT cannot seem to finish any others? Get a clue....TDOT will always be working on something. Maybe Mr. Gorman should take a drive (or walk) through downtown right now. The revitalization IS happening. One of the main problems holding this back is I-40. Why don't we not fault Bill Pittman for actually trying to solve a problem around here for once?
I do not feel the way you do, Mr. Gorman.
Russell Smith
Knoxville
Who Does What?
I am a supporter of the Tennessee Stage Company. I have acted, directed and co-produced with the Tennessee Stage Company nine years out of their 12 years presenting Shakespeare in the Knoxville community. My husband and I are members of their support group, Buddies of the Bard, and I attend their productions. TSC Artistic Director Tom Parkhill was extremely helpful when Katie Norwood and I started the Actors Co-op seven years ago, and he continues to be helpful in every regard. We also do our best to help him when he needs it.
With that being said, there have been some statements made by Brandon Slocum with regard to secluding TSC in categories that do include other arts organizations—such as the Actors Co-op. Slocum has stated in publicity material that Tennessee Stage Company is the only independent non-profit theater company in Knoxville. I know of at least three others.
In the [Aug. 7] article by Paige Travis entitled Bard in the Yard, Slocum states that TSC can do more with a $5,000 donation than any other arts organization in this town. I beg to differ. The Actors Co-op works on a budget of under $75,000. With this amount of money, we present five mainstage productions and two children's theater shows; we provide residencies and performances to elementary schools; we produce an At-Risk Youth theater program for middle school students; we host a high school apprentice company, providing hands-on experience and training for students interested in a career in theater; we produce the Beehive Season, which presents short works in unlikely venues; we offer the Actors Co-op Training Studio with classes for all ages; and we maintain two full-time employees, an office and an actual theater space—the Black Box Theatre—for our use and for the use of companies like the Tennessee Stage Company. This season we are also creating a new work with area playwright Alan Gratz and local musicians Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle.
We can do quite a bit with $5,000.
I am sure that TSC does use their money wisely, in fact I know they do. I am also sure they do a lot with $5,000. I just don't think in the financial climate of Knoxville, it's fair for any one of us to state we can do more with a donation than anyone else. I know many other small arts organizations that do a hell of a lot with $5,000, not just TSC and Actors Co-op.
In order to present any art of any kind in this community, you must work on a shoestring budget. I know of no arts organization who does not. Hopefully we are moving into being the kind of town that supports our performing arts groups generously, but we aren't there yet. Let's just keep in mind that we all do our best to provide for our artists and Knoxville. Placing one organization over another by self-exclamation doesn't help anyone.
Amy Hubbard
Artistic Director, Actors Co-op
Knoxville
Editor's Note: Hubbard is the wife of Metro Pulse managing editor John Wright.
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