Theatre Vent

Okay, I just have to vent. (Big shock.)
I am on the email list for local auditions (durantcom.com) and even when I'm doing two shows and can't possibly think of another project, I still read her updates religiously.
So I was perusing the various projects and theatres offering auditions for their shows when I came across one that caught my eye... for all the wrong reasons.
It was a local theatre offering auditions for it's upcoming stage production and at the bottom of the audition notice was a note stating that actors would be required to pay a $180.00 Participation Fee.

WHAT WHAT WHAAAAT????

To clarify, this is NOT a college production in which a fee would be assessed to register for the required class.

A fellow actor-friend said that it was explained to her that the participation fee is assessed to cover costumes and supplies for the actors during the show. It also seems that their technicians are paid... and paid well.

I'm incensed by this.

So, my question is this: How good can the talent possibly be if they are PAYING to be in the show?? My second question is: Do the actors get to keep the costumes, shoes, and props they've paid for?
Even if the latter is true, it doesn't make me feel any better... especially if you're doing a 'brown show' like Big River or Fiddler on the Roof.

In my world (which I admit is vastly different from actual reality) talented actors are PAID to do what they do, not vice versa.

I believe it was Olivier that said "If you're good at something, never do it for free."
Now, I break that rule often. I take pictures of friends for free, I do belly-casts for friends for free and every theatre season I do one to two shows for community theatres 'for free' either because of the people involved or the project itself (in the case of MET, people I've known and worked with since I was a kid, or @Pro where my 'peeps' do projects that no one else in the Valley will touch.)

But I have NEVER.... NEVER... paid to be in a show.

As actors, we all end up spending our own money on stuff that is show related.
Makeup, shoes, personal props, transportation, etc. Isn't that enough??

I've never seen a show at this particular theatre and I probably never will. I can't imagine that the talent is all that great... since most career actors I know command significant stipends and contracts for what they do and would laugh at anyone who asked them to whip out their checkbook in order to 'participate' in the show.

For $180 bucks, that theatre better drive me to and from rehearsals as well so I don't have to incur more costs for gas and vehicle maintenance on top of paying my 'participation fee'.

What a crock of shit.

If any of my friends or contemporaries are involved with this company, please know that I mean no offense when I say you are ridiculous and so is your "theatre".

/end vent.

Whew.
I feel better.