Local Groups Hit Visa Proposal

Southern California arts executives reacted heatedly and sharply to the proposal to drastically limit foreign performers in the United States. Idiotic, shortsighted and unworkable were how some described the INS draft regulations .

“The negative effect on our ability to produce opera would be really significant,” said Patricia Mitchell, deputy director of Music Center Opera. “How can you make any kind of sensible advanced planning? The regulations have nothing to do with the reality of nonprofit music. . . . And concerning individual artists, just think: if these regulations had been in effect when Placido Domingo made his debut, he wouldn’t have been allowed in the country, because he hadn’t sold any records.”

Pebbles Wadsworth, executive director at the UCLA Center for the Performing Arts, said: “I can’t believe that they could be so shortsighted. . . . I feel very strongly about this. It would have a major impact on our programs. It would really rob the community of some important experiences.”

“It’s so idiotic, it’s just laughable,” said Erich Vollmer, executive director at the Orange County Philharmonic Society. “The business of the 90-day timing--it’s unworkable. Every organization like us would go out of business, just to speak on the practical side.”

Jenny Vogel, vice president, ICM Artists, said: “We have experienced difficulties, either with refusals, or more often, approval at the 13th hour. . . . It certainly seems things are getting tougher, and with the new regulations, which I believe are supposed to go into effect in October, it will be much worse. The most worrying aspect of it is that these are bureaucratic decisions, removed and uninformed.”