QC!

You are right!!! I think it is so important for EVERY opinion to be heard. Of course if the people who all feel one way are the only ones who are voicing their opinions, the forum will be very one sided. Personally, I think the most difficult issue the PPH is facing right now is communication. If I feel like my opinion is only heard when it is posted on the internet, then that is where I will air it. I would love to see a voice from every aspect of the theatre on this forum.

On a side note, I really miss feeling welcome in all areas of play production. My education and the majority of my experience is as a "theatrician." I am deeply hurt to feel as if my experience and skills are unwelcome in an area I love so much. This is my art and my passion, I would like to find a venue in which to stretch my theatrical legs once again. I also find a great deal of frustration in seeing things go undone (or done at the last minute) that I am perfectly willing, and skilled enough to at least help with.

*sigh* I really hope an open forum meeting can and will happen so we can work out these issues. If they are "unworkoutable" I'd like to know so I can find a better place to lend my skills and talents.

Ok, I think we got some good closure last night at PCP. It's good that these issues were brought up, I just think it got way out of hand... lots of little stuff and little miscommunications that gathered up over time. Now that stuff is on the table and everyone has had a chance to clarify what they mean in person, it seems like we can move on.

SO... I am locking this thread from further posting. Requests to unlock it later should be posted in the Questions/Comments/Updates forum, and you should have a darn good good reason.

And since I'm the site admin, I will let myself have the last word to both sides, and that will be the end of it:

This is ridiculous. I think this whole mess could have been avoided if we had just requested a roundtable earlier. Some issues are going to remain, at least for a little while (change takes time), but now we know how people feel and what everyone wants to work towards. So, I would say, try confronting issues with people face-to-face (and directly saying what is bothering you) before letting it build like this. Both sides, watch what you say and how it might be interpreted, and please pay attention when people say something so it's not misquoted later.

Also, both sides need to understand that while I am the administrator, I do not necessarily agree with, nor am I responsible for, any users' content but my own. Unless it's obscene or illegal or I think it's getting totally out of hand and personal (one reason I'm locking this thread), I'm not going to censor anyone's right to have their thoughts heard. If you don't like something, post a (civil) reply. Discussion and debate are a part of growing.

And above all, like I've been saying on this thread all along, stay optimistic!!! We can change a lot by our actions and attitudes, especially through the new council. And seriously, this is community theater... relax and have fun, and if something is blocking you from having fun, address it directly. There a few experienced people on staff at PPH that I am thinking of that have to put up with far more BS than we do in order to get their jobs done, and they still stay optimistic and work towards growing the theater... why can't we?

When legitimate problems exist, you can 1) confront them face-to-face, 2) stop whining, or 3) find something else to do that makes you happy. And for the other side, just know that it's outrageously frustrating to not be trusted in a field that you know and love... frustrating to the point where even rational and calm people will go completely outside the 3 steps above.

In short: lets trust each other, stop being so cliquish (everyone), and buckle down to make this theater great.