But Rhoe is hoping for a second act.

He said former patrons have encouraged him to proceed with a 2008-09 season and resurrection may come now that Arts Equity is on a list of nonprofits that are qualified to receive donations through The United Way.

Whether future seasons will be in Clark County, or at a venue in Portland, has yet to be decided, he said.

“I’ve heard from patrons who are interested in seeing the kind of theater we produce,” Rhoe said last week. “We’re in the process of putting together a limited partnership and we have options on several theaters in Portland.”

But he isn’t ruling out staying in Clark County.

One reason is the county offers a not-for-profit liquor license.

“It allows us to serve spirits without serving food,” Rhoe said. “You can’t get that in Oregon. On a good night, the money you can make serving spirits will pay an actor’s salary.”

But tickets sales at Main Street Theatre didn’t cover production costs in past years, Rhoe said. Unless an affordable site that can accommodate Rhoe’s  style of theater surfaces soon, Arts Equity Onstage productions will be moving to Portland. 

“The problem is, right now, there no places in Clark County.”

Sweet success

Leah Coonce has come a long way since being voted the most shy member of Camas High School’s 2002 graduating class.

After making appearances in two yet-to-be-released independent movies and two televisions shows, Coonce said it’s getting easier to see herself on screen and not say “Oh, no.”

She played a teenager who shows no sympathy for a classmate who has died while at the prom in a role on the CBS series “CSI: NY.” She was also part of a hip-hop dance class shown recently on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

Coonce said she hasn’t yet been given release dates for the movies, “Money to Burn” and “Internal Behavior.” Coonce, 24, moved to Hollywood more than three years ago to pursue an acting career. But when roles don’t come her way, Coonce finds comfort at her day job.

“I work at Godiva Chocolates,” she said.

Mike Bailey’s column appears ­Mon­days and Wednesdays. Reach him at 360-759-8050 or mike.bailey@columbian.com.