Acting <i> Does </i> Pay

In reference to Dimitra Arlys’ letter of last Sunday, in which she accuses me of not paying the actors in “The Tavern,” hers is not an uncommon perception of the “99-seat theater plan.”

In 1988, Actors Equity Assn., in concert with local actor-producers, created an updated 99-seat theater plan that the Matrix Theatre Company and all venues of 99 seats or less that employ union actors adhere to.

The actors in “The Tavern” have received 21% of the gross box-office receipts to date. This is the highest acting payroll in any small theater in Los Angeles. This percentage is also higher than the national average that encompasses all Equity contracts across the country.

I hope this clarifies a very important issue in this community--an issue that many actors like Arlys use as an excuse to withhold their support for their fellow actors who work in small theater in Los Angeles.

JOSEPH STERN

Producing Artistic Director

Matrix Theatre Company

Los Angeles