SCR Now Awaits Outreach Rating by Arts Panel : Theater: The company slipped some for a lack of adventuresome programming. But the combined rating will determine its final score and outlook for state grants.

Despite being praised for its high “artistic levels of actingand directing,” South Coast Repertory--for the first time in three years--has dropped in its rating by an advisory panel that recommends theater troupes for state grants. However, the lower rating won’t necessarily mean grants will be reduced.

A lack of adventuresome programming was cited as the chief reason for the drop.

The California Arts Council panel, which spent last week judging theaters’ artistic and organizational strengths, gave SCR a 4- on a four-point scale, according to Ray Tatar, the council’s theater grants administrator. For the past three years, the troupe has received the top rating, 4.

Grant sizes will be determined only after the council’s total budget is set this summer.

SCR will receive a second rating in July, for community outreach. Both ratings will then be factored into one final score for the troupe.

The Fullerton Civic Light Opera--also criticized for a lack of innovation--and the Grove Theatre Company received half-point lower scores this year as well, to 3- and 3 respectively. The Orange County Black Actors Theatre and the Laguna Playhouse held even at 3+.

Last year, though SCR was praised for artistic strength, it was criticized for a lack of “ethnic diversity” on its board and staff, and it received an organizational support grant of $81,950, almost 25% less than the year before.

This year, its artistic side also has come under some fire.

“I think the panel felt that (SCR’s) Mainstage work could have been more adventuresome,” said Tatar, referring to productions presented in the larger of the troupe’s two halls.

Panelists felt that “Search and Destroy,” Howard Korder’s social critique about a man’s quest for meaning in his life, presented by SCR earlier this year, “was beautifully produced, and the acting was great, but it wasn’t really cutting-edge in terms of content,” Tatar said.

He noted, however, that none of the six major theaters ranked this year received a 4 rating. A major theater is defined as one with an annual budget of $1 million or more.

“This panel was extremely tough, extremely scrupulous with all the large-budget organizations,” Tatar said. “Remember, the 4 category is exemplary.”

Tatar added that SCR was praised in some areas. Some panelists, he said, felt that the company is “setting a standard in using women writers and directors.” Also, “the artistic levels of acting and directing are high.”

Panelists also considered Fullerton CLO to be weak in terms of new ideas, Tatar continued. The troupe, which received a 3 rating when it last applied for a grant three years ago, dropped to a 3- largely as a result of presenting such musicals as “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Big River.”

“The panel didn’t think the work they’re doing right now was very challenging,” Tatar said. “They characterized it as ‘old Broadway brought to the community.’ ” However, the company was praised for financial stability and strong community support.

The Grove Theatre Company’s slip from a 3+ rating to a 3 was due mostly to “some spotty performances of the last couple of years,” Tatar said.