Theater Conspiracy unFoulds

COURTESY PHOTO Bill Taylor, the artistic director of the Theater Conspiracy, told a crowd of about 40 supporters on Monday, April, 2 that the troupe will not be operating out of the Foulds Theater after May 5. Last week, Bill Taylor, the artistic director of the Theater Conspiracy, gave a presentation in the Foulds Theater, delivering the bad news first.

"I'm going to just drop the bomb," Taylor said. "We will not be renewing our contract…we'll be shutting down as of May 5."

About 40 people were there to listen including members of the media, advertisers and patrons.

"We're not being the victim here," he explained. "We are not being offered a contract that will keep us in business."

Taylor went on to explain it was due to the board of directors of the Alliance for the Arts letting the theater space out to other interests to the detriment of the Theater Conspiracy's ability to prepare for shows.

Taylor said he had attempted to redress the situation and was given the same answer repeatedly.

"I was told it's what the board of directors wants,'" Taylor said.

The Theater Conspiracy has operated at the Alliance for the Arts Foulds Theater for over a decade.

Taylor went on to say the search had already begun for a new space and tabled an idea for the interim.

"We are considering doing 'found' theater projects," Taylor said. "The theater can be anywhere. Even a parking lot…However, we would need short productions. It would be a bad situation if we set up shop where there are not adequate restroom facilities."

These "found" theater projects would be funded by donations at the site.

"It'll be 'pay what you will' type theater," Taylor said.

When Taylor opened the floor to questions one person asked if a nearby yard space on the grounds of the Alliance for the Arts was a possibility.

"Yes," Taylor said. "All doors are open."

He intends to have the "found" theater projects going at the end of May.

Audience members expressed concern and started offering ideas.

One member suggested the airport, saying you'd have a "captive audience" at which Mitch Haley, Media Director of Devious Design Studios, quipped, "Would you consider performing as an Arab?"

Taylor relayed that the Gulfshore Playhouse may be signed to use the Foulds Theater for September and October.

Other ideas for space that were tabled were the use of the Kiwanis Club or a church.

The Kiwanis Club had performances in the past but Haley joked it would be difficult to drive there now due to the downtown redevelopment.

Taylor said the Unitarian Church on Daniels Road was being considered.

When asked if any downtown sites were being looked at, Taylor said, "Not right downtown. The rent is too expensive. But we're looking at the periphery."

In closing, Taylor said, "I'm not hitting anyone up for money now."

At which an attendee responded that that would come later.

On April 4, Kathleen Moye, Publicity and events coordinator for the Alliance for the Arts, was asked if any business interests that were not arts related had taken the space that had been slotted for the Theater Conspiracy.

"I don't believe so," Moye said. "Occasionally there are businesses that use the space usually for a day… sometimes it is let out to businesses for several days."

Moye emphasized that there was no intention to drive the Theater Conspiracy out. On Bill Taylor's decision to press forward she expressed support.

"I think it's great that Bill's found this opportunity for growth," Moye said. "It's great that they're finding this opportunity to do what they always wanted to do…and go year round…I think that what's happened is that the talent has outgrown the space here."

Moye also said that there was no contract with the Gulfshore Playhouse at this time.

However, in an email on April 4, Taylor said that he was under the impression Gulfshore Playhouse had already been promised a time slot in September and October.

It read: "The only thing I can say for sure is Gulfshore Playhouse has the theater from Sept 14ish through Oct. 15…"

When asked, Moye said that she did not want to say what parties were vying to rent the space at the Foulds theater. However, she had some ideas.

"Chamber music would be cool in there," Moye said. "It would be fun to see some children's productions."

Moye went on to say that the Gulfshore Playhouse may put on children's productions.

Moye is a volunteer at the Gulfshore Playhouse but said this represented no conflict of interest on her part.

On April 5, Kristen Couric of the Gulfshore Playhouse also stated there were no definite plans with the Alliance.

"We may put on a production for four weeks about mid September," Couric said. "…no contract has been signed."

Gulfshore Playhouse will have its own home in Estero in 2008.

Moye went on to say she was confused as to why Taylor pulled out of the Foulds.

"We went from having a full time troupe to having none at all," Moye said. "…he was concerned about building sets...but he could have used classrooms or the Edwards building for rehearsal space."

Moye also said that the Theater Conspiracy was offered the same amount of time though the last contract offered did stipulate that the Alliance for the Arts would maintain exclusive use of the stage, backstage, amphitheater and box office from Sept. 17-Oct. 15 and from Feb. 4 to March 12, 2008.

Taylor maintains these restrictions hamper his ability to put on productions and stay afloat.

Moye stated that these times were always subject to use by other parties at the Alliance's discretion.

However, there was no conflict until last year when Taylor was asked to take apart his set so that Gulfshore Playhouse could put on a production in between Theater Conspiracy shows.

Taylor said that produced strain.

"The Alliance offered volunteers to help with this," Taylor said. "…but I would have had to oversee the operation and put in my own time."

Both Taylor and Moye maintain this situation does not represent a conflict between Gulfshore Playhouse and Theater Conspiracy. n