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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-83-039616 -c Howard V. Gary City Manager JlieM, ber W. Director Department of Recreation CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM c� E April 14, 1983 RAS Community Theatre's Subsidy Request TILE RAS Community Theatre, Inc., also known as Teatro Avante, located on Flagler Street and 46 Avenue, requests financial support from the City in the form of either rent-free use of a City facility to facil- itate their program and productions, or a subsidy of $15,000, equiva- lent to one-half of their present yearly space rental costs. To supplement their budget they have made a grant request for $20,000 to the Florida Arts Council for year-round operational expenses. This theatre company has been in operation since 1981 and presented 15 plays with an attendance of over 22,000 people. The nature of this applicant is somewhat unique, as they are the only statewide, non-profit theatre company presenting classical and contemporary pe- riod plays in Spanish and in Spanish translation. They offer period- ical employment to 150 local artists and have a projected 1982-83 budget of $195,700 with a total projected revenue of $165,000. Their quality of performance is excellent as evidenced form press clippings enclosed in their packet. Ticket prices are reasonable, in a range of $5.00 to $12.00. They offer a 25% ticket discount to se- nior citizens and students to all performances, and donate talent to local charitable organizations that care for the disadvantaged and handicapped. Federal grants which could amount up to'20% of their budget were un- available as they had to be in operation for a minimum of two years before qualifying. Presently they are applying to Dade County, State and Federal agencies for support. They are experiencing a serious shortfall and cash flow problem, which can be solved by either redu- cing operational expenses (via free rental space) or a one year sub- sidy to overcome the 1982-83 deficit and allow them time to obtain County, State and Federal grants. Failure at this point'to obtain emergency financial support will force them out of production. If the City Commission chooses to subsidize this Theatre, the Depart- ment of Re-reation recommends a one time only subsidy not to exceed $6,000 provided adequate matching funds from other sources are ob- tained. ' 83-396 0 FACT SHEET EVALUATION RAS COMMUNITY THEATRE, INC. = a/k/a Teatro Avante Flagler St. and 46 Ave. Miami, FL 33135 Phone: 643-1660 Chairperson: Mario Ernesto Sanchez Amount Requested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 or Rental Free City Amount Approved Festival Committee . . . . . . - 0 - Facility Amount Now Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6,000 Type of Event: Yearly season of 8 plays in Spanish or Spanish translation of classical and contemporary period, offered at low ticket range, and special 25°' to the Soanish speaking community. Sites: Flagler St. & 46 Avenue Dates: Year round Cash Match: $160,000 Audience Expected: 11,000 yearly In operation since 1981 has presented 15 plays with an estimated attendance of over 22,000 people. This theatre company is the only state-wide outfit that presents classical and contemporary plays in Spanish. It employs 150 local artists, and donate 10% of its seating capacity to charitable organizations to allow the disadvantaged, handicapped spanish speaking a free theatre ex- perience _ 32-83 budget of $195,000 with a total revenue of $165,000 is pro- ducing a deficit of $30,000. Although 3 grant applications have been presented to County, State & Federal agencies, they require emergency subsidy to remain in operation. Quality of production is excellent. Therefore, this department recommends a one time only, emergency subsidy not to exceed $ 6,000. r H C �ar-d Di rector A be , Department of Recreation 83--396 E CIZY t�1A'l�rcn,'C OFFICE 1��3 41�0 3 t P't 2- 32 - COMMUNITY THEATRE, INC. March 29, 1983 Mr. Howard V. Gary Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 Dear Mr. Gary: "Economic crisis" is a modern phrase, not only in Miami but around the world. RAS Canmu-►i.ty Theatre, a/k/a Teatro Avante, located on Flagler and 46th Avenue, after two years of service to this community will have to close its doors unless we receive financial support frcra the government. We are enclosing a copy of the grant application packet mailed to the Department of State in Tallahassee. But just in case you don't have time to read it, allow me to point out that: 1. RAS is the only non-profit theatre presenting both the classic and contemporary periods of plays. There is no other theatrical effort of its kind in the State of Florida. 2. over 22,000 theatregoers have witnessed and experienced our productions to date, and the feedback received from all segments of the community has been positive and rewarding, mainly due to the quality and seriousness of our performances. 3. We have provided, since April of 1981, 25% discounts to senior citizens and students and at least 10% of total attendance in complimentary tickets to charitable organizations. 4. We have worked closely with needy organizations in their fund raising campaigns and with public and private schools to expose children to the fine arts. 5. We have provided employment to over 150 local artists. The objectives of RAS Cammunity Theatre are: a) to act as a coordinating, educational and service organization to foster, promote, encourage and increase the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, especially theatre; b) to preserve Hispanic cultural roots through universal theatre; c) to introduce classical and contemporary prize-winning foreign plays to the Spanish-speaking audience of South Florida; d) to make accessible rewarding theatrical experiences to the physically and mentally handicapped, the elderly and the culturally and econcudcally deprived; e) to employ or involve outstanding Florida artists; f) to help charitable organizations in their fund raising campaigns; 6460 S. W. 49 St., South Miami, FL 33155 305/666-6533 83-39E: . it 0 Mr. Howard V. Gary March 29, 1983 Page #2 . g) to help Miami beaxm a major "plaza" for tourism, conrierce and international cultural trade; and h) to help make the arts a part of the lives of all Floridians. Can the City of Miami help us? If there are no funds available, is there a rent- free building we can use? We hope the enclosed grant application provides enough information and materials to support our request. However, should you desire additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know. Respectfully, Mario Ernesto S&nchez President/Managing Director MES/as Enclosure ,r.� ...,.�., .. 83- 39f .