| History |
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In October 1987, The Actors Co-op was founded to empower area actors by providing increased employment opportunities and promoting professional growth.
Co-founders Linda Libby, Annie Hinton, David Novak, and Philip Sneed
were four “local heavyweights,” as the San Diego Union Tribune referred
to them, who perceived a need for a professional support organization
for actors in their city, similar to those found in other centers for
regional theatre such as SHARES in Ashland, Oregon and REACT in
Seattle, Washington. Veteran actors Sneed and Hinton had been involved
with SHARES and REACT respectively. The first objective of the organization was to secure more employment opportunities by arranging visits to San Diego from artistic and casting directors from theatres across the country. In the first year of operation, the organization also established a regular monthly newsletter, maintained an actor hotline with frequent updates on professional employment opportunities, secured substantial member discounts at fifteen area theatres, and provided free audition workshops in addition to participating in collaborative ventures with the San Diego Playwrights Project and San Diego State University. During the early growth of the organization, the older, more established San Diego Theatre League (now known as the San Diego Performing Arts League) operated as the fiscal receiver and offered the organization non-profit status. 1990 - A five-year plan was established and the first annual All-City Auditions were held. The organization moved into a 5,000 square foot facility that housed the office and the newly established Actors Center containing a callboard, library and rehearsal space available for members to rent for a nominal fee. February 1991 - The first annual Actors Festival was held, a two-week event featuring some thirty one-act plays and employing sixty or more actors. December 1991 - The organization received its 501(c)(3) status and officially changed it’s name to the Actors Alliance of San Diego. October 1992 - For it’s fifth anniversary, the organization established the OnBookOnStage Playreading Series. March 1993 - Following the five-year plan established in 1990, the organization moved the Actors Center to its own location in Hillcrest. April 1999 - The Actors Alliance moved to Normal Heights on Adams Avenue. August 2002 - Long time employees Rosina Reynolds and Gerry Maxwell left the organization to pursue professional theatre careers, paving the way for Managing Director, Suzanne Oswald to re-organize and hire two new employees - Erin Cronican and Jennifer Austin. September 2004 - Ends their 17th year with a record number of members (517) and a record budget of just under $100,000 annually. August 2005 – After three years of service each, Erin Cronican and Jennifer Austin left the organization to pursue professional theatre careers in New York and Los Angeles (respectively). The Alliance hired two new employees – Communications Director, Shauna Ostrom and Program Director, Jason Heil. December 2006 – The Actors Alliance moved to Dance Place San Diego in the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station in Point Loma. |
