Jacksonville Actor's Theatre

[Jaxson]

In another thread, someone mentioned a scandal involving the Jacksonville Actor's Theatre and how the scandal was a major setback to the local acting scene.  That made me curious to know more but, because I did not want to go off topic on that thread, I posting this question here. 

"Does anyone know what happened with the Jacksonville Actor's Theatre?" 

Thanks and Happy Friday!

[Bativac]

What a story. I haven't heard Dr. Beger's name in a long time!

[wsansewjs]

This makes me sad and sick to my stomach of how history tells us. It is like the birth, death, and rebirth process. The idea of something so great in Jacksonville, then the city lost it all due to some selfish political-driven movement.

It is like losing like a child.

-Josh

[Garden guy]

At lease something in this city is moving forward...thanks Steve..

[Bativac]

This seems to be the story with successful acts from Jacksonville - they really "make it" once they leave town. Several of my college professors at UNF (and a couple art teachers at Douglas Anderson) tried to convince me and my fellow classmates to do the same.

Leave town, become successful, and then when you come back, you have some cachet. But why would you come back, is the question...?

[duvaldude08]

This seems to be the story with successful acts from Jacksonville - they really "make it" once they leave town. Several of my college professors at UNF (and a couple art teachers at Douglas Anderson) tried to convince me and my fellow classmates to do the same.

Leave town, become successful, and then when you come back, you have some cachet. But why would you come back, is the question...?

It's kind of mess of they would encourage people to leave. And your right, if someone leaves town and becomes sucessful, why would they wanna come back? That is kinda backwards.

[Tacachale]

Ah yes, "The Baptists". I've never understood how so many people believe their political powers are so vast, and that protests by First Baptist or its members are the sole or primary reason some injustice occurred. Reminds me of the amphitheater project. I guess blaming them is easier than investigating the real causes or trying to overcome them for the future.

[Jaxson]

I cannot totally blame a vocal minority for our sometimes provincial attitudes.  When closemindedness rears its ugly head, we are ultimately responsible for being the cooler heads that should prevail.  Regardless of religious affiliation or denomination, we all are part of this community and we can respond to local bullies who would rather us become a cultural wasteland for the sake of their own petty religious and/or moral grievances.  We are doing a little better today, however.  Look at what happened when The Vagina Monologues in Atlantic Beach was temporarily rebranded the Hoohah Monologues.  We still, however, have more progress to make - but it is up to us to help encourage it along.

[Tacachale]

The real key is not to act as if an organization has monolithic power over what happens in the city. In this case they opposed the play, but according to Stephen it wasn't their opposition that brought about the end of the company. As I said before, this is the same thing that happened with the amphitheater back in the 90s. Blaming "the Baptists" every time something like that happens gives far to much credit to their influence, and frankly, it's not fair to the First Baptist Church and its members. I guess it's easier than looking for the real causes of problems, and much easier than trying to solve them, but if our actual goal is to move forward, the blame game doesn't get us very far.