To Southern Celt, let me say that my father used to tell me that there is nothing you can sell that someone elese can't sell for less money and less quality. Of course, you can't compete with free, if the facility's only concern is price. I can assure you that the Philadelphia area has dozens and dozens of performers who do it for fun so I must be a lot better than they are or I wouldn't be working at all. What I sell, to my clients, is a known quality level, a dynamic stage presence (honed by successful experience), reliability and a show that will reflect possitively on them. Activity directors are like everyone else. They understand that they will be held responsable for the shows they present. To paraphrase Shoeless Joe Jackson, "If you're worth it. they will pay"
Patrick, you might as well say the same about farmers and teachers and, by extension, everyone who works for a living. My profession, while not as lucrative as many, is an honorable one. I believe that the subject of the thread says it all.

                Mike