To elaborate on the Question:

There is a community with a large number of actors(500+), and a large number of venues(40+), and a large number of production companies (25+).

Majority of the Production Companies lack 501(c)3 status.  They operate under the blanket of larger arts organizations, and city/county programs.

Majority of the Groups have small boards that are made up of a small cliq of Directors and older actors who continue to select some of the same plays year after year.

A large number of actors (100+), and 1/2 of the companies have been brought into discussions about forming an alliance of actors that would create it's own 501(c)3 organization that could then provide the blanket for each of the theaters, and grants/funding for the theater groups based on a series of specific criteria that would set a unified procedural code for all of the theaters.

In essence, it would be the creation of a kind of actors union that would dictate policy to the theaters.  Funding has been acquired, and all documentation has been created, reviewed by counsel and a Board has been nominated, and acceptances receivied.  It has a open membership and a single lifetime fee of $100, and a reverse funding agreement for production companies. Membership includes a monthly newsletter/magazine, an email address, and profile/resume hosting on a secured web site.

All this is has been set up on spec, and commitment letters acquired.  The group is just waiting out the current seasons, and is scheduled for a January 1, 2006 start up.

I am just curious how others feel about this situation.  I am personally add odds with my feelings on the matter, seeing benefits and drawbacks.  There are several groups that will be seriously affected by these procedings and there are plans for spreading this out regionally to the surrounding cities and counties in a increasing radius per year until being statewide. Thoughts???