What The Tribune exposé (May 29) on the Hale Centre didn't tell you was that the Hale's pay is in line with all of the other community theaters in the area. The Grand, Rogers Memorial, Sandy Arts Guild, Draper, all have similar pay structures. I know this from personal experience.

Also, you must add into the equation the 10 free passes given for your show worth $200, plus season tickets for two worth another $200. The Hale's pay scale with benefits exceeds all but the Equity professional theaters.

The second reason why so many amateur actors want to perform at the Hale is the quality of the performances. I have been privileged to work with some of the most talented people who have chosen to make theater an avocation, not a career.

The Hale is the best venue in Utah for these people. If the compensation of the directors of the Hale Centre Theatre were based on performance, quality of productions, the value to the community and success of their endeavors, Mark and Sally Dietlein would be underpaid!

Bob Sorbonne

Sandy