AMBLIN GRANT

As stated in “Amblin’s Vanishing Act--or Not’ (Theater Notes, Feb. 12), my theater company, Glorious Repertory, was chosen over a myriad of other groups to receive $3,000 from Amblin Entertainment, unleashing a torrent of criticism of Amblin’s lack of generosity toward more theaters. Until the Times article, I was unaware that so many in the theater community were frustrated with Amblin, as even before we were notified of our grant, Amblin dealt with us respectfully and enthusiastically.

Moreover, the time has come for the theater community to recognize why theater produced for youth, more commonly referred to as “children’s theater,” is so deserving of funding and corporate support!

In an era when theater audiences are becoming an endangered species, we should ALL participate in nurturing new audiences so that the arts will indeed survive! And we, especially those of us in the theater community, should applaud Amblin for recognizing the value of such programming for exactly what it is: an investment in our future.

DEBBIE DEVINE

Artistic Director

Glorious Repertory

Van Nuys