A Message from the President

In 1998, two years after Stage Door Productions performed our first play, a start-up called Netflix enrolled the first subscriber for the DVD Movie by Mail Service. Since, Netflix has quietly become the Walmart of Entertainment. The manufacturing of VHS Tapes or DVDs, and related equipment, are all a thing of the past. Families can no longer visit movie rental stores or get a $2 movie from a red or blue box next to a convenience store. Even Disney lost its Holiday Vault Collection revenue. Today, regional Cable monopolies struggle to maintain subscribers, all because of Netflix’s creation of in-home, on-demand streaming service.

This year we will experience the eighty-three-billion-dollar acquisition by Netflix of Warner Brothers and HBO/MAX, which ironically, in 1972 was the company who first changed how families accessed entertainment – bringing Hollywood directly into the home, by subscription. With this latest merger we can foresee the demise of the Cable Services while local Movie Theaters start counting their final days.

I am not anti-Netflix, nor am I saying any of these changes are evil – they are merely a result of our entertainment evolution. One thing that gives me, and hopefully our patrons, a little sparkle of hope is that live community theaters are quickly becoming the only way for individuals, couples, and families to spend an evening together, outside the home, to enjoy some entertaining performances. We in the Live Production Industry may be the last line of defense in retaining your options in watching a good show or event. Live theater is still alive and possibly growing as other entertainment delivery methods consolidate or disappear altogether.

THE BIG ASK: Each month you subscribe to Netflix, Prime, and other streaming services – while your local community theater struggles to find funding to provide new content. In addition to rent and facility expenses, to put on a play or musical, Stage Door must pay for production rights, scripts, music, projections, set materials, costumes, props, etc. We are entirely volunteer based. Our goal is to present live entertainment choices every weekend. To meet this goal, we need your financial support and sponsorship. On our website you can subscribe to a monthly donation plan, become a Platinum Member, or just buy an Annual Pass. Invest in your local choices – Invest in your community. Subscribe to Stage Door. www.allstatecommunitytheater.org.

Ray Manfredi; LUTCF, FSCP, MBA, PhD

President@StageDoorPlays.org

Actor, Stand-up Comedian, Director

Screen Writer, Playwright, Producer

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