September 7, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Do you think the city should bail out struggling performing arts groups, like the San Jose Repertory Theatre and the American Musical Theater?
(Asked the Almaden Plaza)

“I think they should provide a little help, a subsidy if possible; we should keep the arts alive. Perhaps the Rep’s marketing isn’t as well done and it could be. If people knew more about the plays and performers and the plays were marketed better, I think that would help. I don’t think they [the Rep] market themselves very much. They don’t promote themselves.”

Evelyn Brown, 30-plus
Almaden
Homemaker


“I can’t really answer because I don’t know much about it. I have no problem with the city subsidizing the theater in principle. But if it’s mismanaged then we’re throwing good money down a rat hole. We need some sort of guarantee that the new money doesn’t go where the old money went.”

Derek Brown, 35
Almaden
Engineer


“I would think not because of supply and demand. If there’s not demand [then what’s the point?] If something is worth going to then it should be okay. If the receipts aren’t good enough it’s not being managed well.”

Ron Peters, 54ish
Almaden
State employment program


“I think the performing arts are very import and I enjoy them. I wish they could break even. If it was a one-time incident, then OK, the city should help them. But they need a really solid plan, we shouldn’t just give them money.”

Mark Abate, 47
Almaden
Engineering manager


“No, I think they had the opportunity to improve operations and management and they didn’t do it. I don’t want to see the city pouring good money after bad. As much as I’d like to say yes, I’m skeptical."

Joyce Snowbarger
Almaden
Kaiser clinic administrator


“I give you an unequivocal and emphatic no! Those resources should be put to better use for services or city resources that have no outside source of funding. For example, the parks department has no independent source of funding and it serves more people than the Rep.”

Marvin Snowbarger, 69
Almaden
Retired


"If the city does it for one, they need to do it for all. I think it’s worth the city bailing the Rep out. Every production I’ve seen has been excellent.”

Jeannette Grundstrom, 51
Almaden
Interior designer


"Yes, they should because it’s good for the city. People enjoy going to plays."

Felicia Adib, 30ish
Almaden
Childcare director