A worthwhile reminder from a FB friend

The Trumpsters are coming after all funding for the arts. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, (NEA) we spent $146 M of federal money for galleries, music, dance and theater last year. That’s less than what we’re currently spending to purchase a single, semi-airworthy F35. According to the NEA’s funding history, that’s less than we were giving the NEA during the last year of the Reagan administration (NON INFLATION ADJUSTED). The same government that just handed $150 B a year in tax cuts (most to the 1%) wants to end the NEA as a ‘budget issue’. 

Actually, they’re a bit more honest about it–they simply don’t think the government should be in the business of funding arts endeavors. States like NY and California have tried to pick up the slack. It’s a question as to whether that state largesse will continue now that the Trump Administration has gone after IRS deductions for state and local taxes. 

Anyway, I have a dog in this hunt. I’m currently touring my play HOW TO STOP THE EMPIRE WHILE KEEPING YOUR DAY JOB. And I’m self- financing this gig. I’m going to be in Tampa at the Tampa International Fringe Fest. See? 

Obviously not a play that supports a government POV. A hard sell. Does it say things that should be said? Yes. Is it funny? Yes. You want to know what one of my acting teachers said about work that makes an audience uncomfortable? Funny you should ask.

My acting teacher in College, the late Paul Massie. One of many such mentors I had at the University. 

So if you want to see a play that’s funny, timely (it’s about civil disobedience in the Age of Trump) and gets you home in under an hour–AND–if you live within driving distance of Tampa Florida’s Ybor City, you might want to drop by. Nine bucks a ticket plus administrative fee.

OR 

Let’s say you want to see it, you want to support the play I’ve created here and the tour I’m on. But you can’t make it to Tampa. Plan B: you could order a ticket or two for the show and… you know… not show up. That would be really cool. And you don’t have to put on a clean shirt or change shoes. You say to yourself “Hey, it’s Thursday, which means I have an empty seat at the Silver Meteor Gallery in Ybor City, and… I’m sitting in Austin Texas. Good luck, guys!”

You can order a ticket RIGHT NOW and support the arts (or at least my small part of  it). Here’s the link for my show, just scroll down to the red button that says BUY TICKETS

And if you want to support some the other great shows that are doing the Fringe, here’s a complete list of all the plays running! 

Finally, if you want to help keep the Fringe running, you could do worse than donate to the Tampa Fringe!

See you all in May, thanks in advance for your support, and remember–Support the Arts.