Jan. 22, 1985

BOX 337 SAN JON, NEW MEXICO 88434

Dear Kermit and rank:

Directors:

a I'm not suré you are aware of the financial situation

Clovis regarding BILLY; so Ithought I'd best appraise or pwemind
IDA FELLERS you of it.
Pong At this point there is not enough money to pay for
JAN PARKER the recording of any muskc, let alone the production costs.
Honorary The original budget was estimated at $34.7,h25.
: I have revised it and got it down to $273, 695. I hope to

WILLIAM BRUMMUND x9 over it again with Betty and Don and try to shave it even

further.
ee Frank said that this project might qualify for a
JUDGE STANLEY Frosy National Endowment Grant of ap prontnei ay Po O00, This
Tucumcari would certainly cover the music facet of %3 ,800 and pay
MAYOR JENE KLAVERWEIDEN SOM@ initial production expenses,
eee When will it be known if the project qualifies, and
grstdwnategestid if it does, when could the money be experted?
Clovis Without that grant, it would be impossible to pay
SS... the music-a vrangene nt-taping costs as orig ginally scheduled.
va If the production were to go ahead on speculation of
BETTY PHILLEY money coming in from local fundraising, we might have to
1305 576-2455. think of live music for the most part by musicians who
gx x would be part of the cast. Let me know your thoughts
gine regarding this.
The SWrC auditions at Ft, Worth were encouraving.
gare tiga cee amatent a CT were some very talented young people there; both
WAvOR Rilpuseimp Pe TLOrmers anc. tech people.
Hee Dente Eut we cannot even make a commitment to hire any of
these until there are sufficient funds to insure that the
EER Oe EE show will in fact go on this year and they will be employed
Logan for the entire summer. And those we have chosen cannot
oe rans be held off too long as many of them have hac other offers.
EDWARD L. MELIN We are going along with auditions, planning of
Pata? Aptis staging, conferences with tech people, costumers,
choreographers just as if we were in fact going into
production. Eut not a single thing can actuaily be done
until money is realized to put things into motion.

 
Oit aod

there is a board meeting, Thursday, Jan. 2li; after which
the first week in February will be a target date to determine
the potential of raising funds this year,

if we cantt start making commitments at that time, thére
Will hardly be enough time after that to set up a full scale
production (construction of sets, lights, costumes, sound) in
less thah three months prior to rehearsal.

Even though it might be a disappointment to the people
who have labored 9 years on this project, it would be wiser
to postpone for another year, during which the money could be
raised. d

Better to disappoint a few people now than the whole state
of New Mexico if we are unable to mount a first rate production because
of lad: .of funding.

An alternetive might be to do a less spectacular and
less demanding version of the play, on a limited budget,
for a short time (2 or 3 weeks) with local talent and a local
director.

It might be a good barometer for a future full scale
production as far as seeing what attendance might be; audience
reaction to the play, and the theatre; and garnering additional
Support from the community and the state.

Let me know your thoughts regerding this.

Awaiting your reply.

sincerely,

Ahasbea—

Charles

cef Eetty Philley, Don M Alavy