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FUSION Theatre Company is currently (and unfortunately) unique in the New Mexico theatre scene: we are the only remaining Equity theatre. Many people have asked us what that means and why is that important. We appreciate the questions and the opportunity to help our patrons, civic leaders, and arts contributors understand the important implications of running a professional theatre, especially in New Mexico. Professionalism, in every field, is the realm of those who have found their true calling. Whether it's medicine, law, engineering, music or theatre, professionals don't just display talent; they further their natural gifts by dedicating themselves to years of study with the most knowledgeable and experienced teachers. Often, they go through arduous (and penurious!) apprenticeships as they hone their craft. Theatre professionals, for example, usually obtain not only under- and post-graduate degrees in the field, but they often spend two or three years in professional actor training programs. Then there are the years spent traveling between the independent and regional houses, taking on whatever roles one can land. Because theatre is, by its nature, expensive, subject to audience whims, and therefore risky, actors, like musicians, have always been under enormous pressure to concede earnings just to engage in their craft. Even on Broadway, the theatrical heart of the U.S., where shows at least have a good chance of making money, producers historically have pressured actors to give up wages in order to land a part. In the worst days, actors were even expected to provide their own costumes, no small burden if you were a chorus girl in a Ziegfeld extravaganza! To combat producers' greed and protect actors and stage managers (the people who orchestrate, or "call," every show), artists followed the example of many professionals and craftsmen in the early 20th century and formed the Actors' Equity Association. With collective bargaining power secured by several debilitating strikes, theatre professionals were able to gain livable wages and eliminate abuses such as unlimited, unpaid rehearsal time or dangerous work environments. These days, actors and stage managers become union members by auditioning and being hired by a professional theatre with a union contract. In other words, an Equity actor has to have demonstrated the skills, talent, and training to be attractive to a professional theatre. Like all artists' unions, Equity requires a substantial initiation fee, then regular quarterly dues. Actors who cannot or choose not to keep up with their dues--perhaps because of insufficient successful auditions for professional shows--may be dropped from the union. Non-current union members cannot bill themselves as "Equity actors." Actors with the "Member Actor's Equity" designation in your FUSION program can, then, be recognized as having developed and maintained skills at the highest levels of the profession. Today's actors and stage managers continue to belong to Equity because the union provides benefits by negotiating contracts with theatrical producers, and by setting--and enforcing--certain minimal expectations regarding working conditions, hours, and benefits. At the start of each year, FUSION Executive Director Dennis Gromelski, works with a representative at Equity's Los Angeles office to discuss the numbers of actors and shows the theatre plans to present. FUSION negotiates wages and benefits (a very significant and ever-increasing amount, as is true for all organizations with health and welfare responsibilities) and posts a substantial performance bond to protect union artists in case the theatre were to default in payments. Because of the economics enforced by the small size of FUSION's performance space, FUSION negotiates at what is known as a "Small Professional Theatre-1," or SPT-1 contract which enables it to hire several union actors/stage manager per show. Other non-union actors are paid an honorarium for their work at FUSION, though the theatre is not required to make contributions to their health and welfare. All other artists at FUSION, including the director, lighting, set, costume and sound and other designers, as well as technicians who build and dress the sets, are paid. FUSION does not hire any administrative staff-all, like me, are volunteers. That's not necessarily a good thing: you may have felt that way when you've made reservations on the theatre's answering machine instead of with a paid box office person. Current finances dictate this M.O.; we're working with granting organizations and donors to improve that! Unfortunately, these days, as the lone Equity outpost in New Mexico, FUSION does not have the opportunity to negotiate the significantly lower umbrella rates that other equally-sized Equity theatres--such as those in Dallas, Boston, LA, NY, and Chicago--can. The economics of running a more expensive Equity house like FUSION Theatre Company are very challenging. It's no mystery why all other Equity theatres in the state--including excellent and valuable outfits such as Southwest Repertory Theatre, Santa Fe Stages and Santa Fe Shakespeare Festival--have all ceased operations in the past few years. When the bills come due, it may occur to some to simply throw in the towel and become a less expensive, non-Equity theatre. FUSION has chosen to stay the course for two principle reasons: first, it is our belief that ALL actors should enjoy the respect and working conditions afforded by Equity rules; and second, we are assisted by a number of very dedicated donors and granting organizations who believe likewise and help ensure this happens. The bottom line for patrons may be, as is the case for me, "Yes, the ticket is a little more expensive than at other theatres in town. But it's a lot less than many visiting shows, the quality is first-rate, and I know my money is going to the artists and the production." Professional theatre in Albuquerque may be a challenge and the goals may seem idealistic or even naive; but we as a community clearly need and the actors deserve the benefits and respect professionalism provides. [Update, August, 2007] The commentary above was created in 2003, at the outset of our brave adventure. Today, we're still the only producing professional, Equity theatre in the state. You may have noticed in the past few years that other theatres in town are starting to call themselves "professional" and charge the same ticket prices as FUSION. FUSION's management, board of directors and associated Equity artists completely support the continued growth and vibrancy of Albuquerque's remarkable theatre scene. However, we wish for all of our patrons to understand that FUSION Theatre Company remains the only theatre in New Mexico that proudly undertakes the risks and expense, and delivers the benefits, of an Actor's Equity Association contract. It is universally understood in active theatre cities across this nation that professional theatre means Actor's Equity Association contracts. Know what you're purchasing and buy your tickets with confidence at FUSION Theatre Company! In keeping with our commitment to true professional theatre in Albuquerque, we have great news for the theatrical community: this season, FUSION has been permitted by Equity to upgrade to a Small Professional Theatre Contract - Level 2! That's a step up from our previous SPTC-1 contract that now allows us to award "points" to talented, dedicated actors who wish to become full-fledged professional AEA members. Our first Equity Membership Candidates are Rachel Tatum and Angela Littleton, who star in this fall's production of John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, a Parable. SPTC-2 is an important designation by the union, and a great responsibility and commitment on the part of FUSION's management. It is the sincere hope of FUSION's management, board and affiliated artists that this designation will further inspire artists, patrons, and civic leaders to take seriously the potential for Albuquerque to fully realize its creative potential. Drop us a line if you would like to learn more about what this means for our great community.