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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Herb Rothschild Jr.: Respecting limits ... A Q & A with Schneider interim director Scott Malbaurn ... Four & Twenty Blackbirds Bakery takes flight to new roost ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Respecting limits ... A Q & A with Schneider interim director Scott Malbaurn ... Four & Twenty Blackbirds Bakery takes flight to new roost ... OUR VIEW Our View: Passion vs. practicality spelled demise of Ashland theater company Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News In the end, the theater company's name was prophetic. Some will blame city officials for the demise of Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company. Others will blame "government regulation" in general for ringing down the curtain on a struggling performing arts venture. But the city is not the villain in this melodrama. The cold fact is, rules governing permitted uses of commercial buildings exist to protect the public. TFTM was using a warehouse space at 722 Jefferson Ave. to stage theater productions for live audiences. To do that legally requires a permit from the city, and the fire marshal has to certify that the building has enough exits with lighted signs, a fire alarm system and fire sprinklers. The theater company was informed of the requirements ahead of time, but founder Peter Wyckliffe apparently chose to go ahead without complying with the rules. On Friday, Fire Marshal Margueritte Hickman warned him that the department would shut down the theater if the company persisted in presenting its production of "Company" without the proper permit, and that's what happened. It's unfortunate that small startup theater companies can't find suitable spaces for performances, but Hickman would be negligent if she allowed a public performance in an unapproved space at a risk to public safety. The financial side of launching a theater company is daunting, but ignoring that reality and forging ahead anyway is asking for trouble. Wyckliffe acknowledged that, saying his approach was passionate, not practical. Sometimes passion alone is not enough.   DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501