It's the July 4th weekend in New York. I've just returned from Paris. Classes this spring, both in New York and Paris, weren't full. While I prefer them to be full, I know that we are in an economic recession, so I anticipated the problem. In New York, it gave me much needed time to prepare for the coming season of The Accidental Repertory Theater. Next year ART will produce two major productions in a theater in New York. Both of the productions are plays that I am writing. One, Adams Apples, is a modern day version of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, set in the United States, now. It is already written. I am working on the second play, and having fewer students was actually a good thing, as I had more time and energy to work on the play, and other projects that an artistic director of a theater has to do. I never have enough time to do everything I want to do. So, in that way, I was fortunate.

I begin an Intensive workshop on Monday the 5th.. It is full, as usual. Though, I did have a problem, as two actors got jobs three weeks before we begin. At that time, as you know, all payments are due, and if someone leaves, and I cannot replace them, they lose the money. This is a rule made to protect all the actors working, letting everyone know that it is a serious commitment. And, I want actors to commit themselves to coming, and be prepared to work. Actors come from all over the world, and I want to be sure that the work process, and the professional atmosphere of the Workshops is clear to everyone.

One actor who had not paid the second part of his payment, and who has worked with me before, has refused to honor his commitment. He will not work with me again. The other actor has agreed to pay, as he understands what his responsibilities are, and values his work with me. I am sure that the creative process each actor develops with me contributes to their capacity to build their careers. Studying with me is a pragmatic reality in one's career. There are professional actors who will come to work with me, and refuse jobs to do that. I would never insist on that, because I want everyone to be working. But, if something like this happens, everyone has to understand what is expected. It's a professional commitment to work with me. I invest a great deal of energy in every actor I work with, and if someone believes that he, or she, can disregard their responsibility, and make up rules that are convienent to them, I will not invest energy in a relationship with them. I wouldn't want to hire an actor who thought like that, either.

As you know, committment and responsibility are two things that are part of what I teach. Certainly, if I could replace them with an actor who wants to participate, I will refund most of the money. But, at three weeks to begin, very few people are available, who can make plans to travel, and be here, on such short notice. This problem doesn't happen often, but if it does, please be aware of your commitments and responsibilities.

After the summer intensive, I will work in Rome in late August. It is almost full, now. I will then go to Madrid, where the cursillo is being sponsored this year by AISGE. It is full.

I don't know what the size of the class in the 10 week fall program in New York will be. I have limited the classes to 10 actors, and one hour less per class. This will permit be to fulfill my other commitments with the Accidental Repertory Theater more easily. I can only do so much. And, this coming year is a big one in New York. The price is almost the same, $1,250 per scene class, plus $600 for the Technique and Organic Script Analysis. If one takes all three scene classes and the Technique and OSA, the price is $4,350.00. For two scene classes and Technique and OSA, the price is $3,100.00.

Hopefully, you'll all be working and making lots of money, so that the classes will again fill up. That will happen, eventually. Hopefully, sooner than later. We're living in a moment when the world is shook up, both by natural causes, and what we human beings cause. Someone said that the world has enough problems caused by nature, and we really don't need any new ones invented by human beings. If only that were true.

Have a wonderful summer.