Minneapolis Values Small Theaters
Posted on May 22, 2006
Interesting piece in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on how the city's small- and mid-size theaters contribute to the overall ecosystem:
A few years ago, we analyzed several comparable metropolitan areas that have solid theater reputations and realized that yes, we had the largest (by budget) regional theater in the country and the largest children's theater and the most-successful dinner theater. But the analysis showed that the healthy current of small and midsize companies was the secret ingredient that pushed the Twin Cities ahead of like-sized metros and made us competitive with the big guys. These smaller troupes provide work for actors, designers, directors, writers, costumers and carpenters. For audiences, they enrich the ecosystem's diversity.
This is important to note. The nature of theater dictates that only a few local actors in any one city will get large, paying roles in a given season. The rest are either forced to travel to other cities, or look for other work. Healthy mid-size companies are key to creating a vibrant theater community.
Here in Seattle we lost many of those companies over the last decade, and it's hurting us at every level.