Actually the comment about if you're a non-profit, it must be all volunteer if you apply for grants is not true at all.  There are many 501 (c) (3) non-profit theatres that receive a lot of grant dollars from the NEA and their state arts councils that are professional theatres with actors equity contracts.  In large cities and in small communities in the midwest.  There are theatres in the midwest that pay actors in musicals and even break it down between lead parts (more money) and chorus parts (less money).  Our theatre is not one of them.  I agree with most every thing in the posts here.  We do not pay actors either.  I'm just saying there are some that do and if it works for them that's fine.  We all have different circumstances here and what works for one might not be right for another theatre.  But I still really value the comments and different posts from people in this forum.  I've worked in large venues and smaller venues and have been doing this awhile now and I CONSTANTLY LEARN SOMETHING FROM MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THIS FORUM.  This is a very value added thing for all of us to have! Thanks to most of you!