Complete story at Palo Alto finance committee votes to start charging to act in children's theater - San Jose Mercury News.Children who want to act or work backstage in Palo Alto Children's Theatre productions may soon have to start paying between $50 and $300 to participate, under a plan unanimously approved by the city's finance committee on Tuesday.
The new proposed fees passed despite an outcry from theater supporters, who warned it would stop lower-income families from participating and could put theater staff under pressure from wealthier parents willing to pay more so their children get lead roles. Committee members argued that the new fees would bring the Children's Theatre in line with other cities' community theater programs and other extracurricular activities such as sports.
"... the new fees would bring the Children's Theatre in line with other cities' community theater programs..." Really? Do community theatre programs in your area charge a fee for participation? Should they?