COUNTERPUNCH LETTER : Actors Need to Analyze the Marketplace

Goodness knows I am not one to beat a dead horse, but I’m driven to respond to the letter from Christopher Otto of Torrance (Counterpunch Letters, Dec. 11). I can certainly sympathize with his frustration over failing to attract industry personnel to his production of “Macbeth,” despite good reviews and free food. I think I see the problem, however.

I did the classics in college, and I enjoyed them--doing Moliere in Richard Wilbur’s verse is something every actor should experience, and I certainly did my share of Shakespeare (including “Taming of the Shrew” at a shopping mall in Encino). But I left university 15 years ago; now I consider myself a professional actor, and as such it is in my best interest to analyze the marketplace I wish to enter. There, I want to do plays that show casting directors and agents my ability to hand Adam Arkin a scalpel and Jerry Seinfeld his car registration renewal forms. I’m not happy about it, but I see lots more people getting hired to show Heather Locklear to her table than bidden to call anybody thane of Cawdor.

ANN FARTHING

Silver Lake