LIVE THEATER THRIVES ON SMALL STAGES:ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE RURAL COMMUNITIES SHINE A LIGHT ON LOCAL TALENTS

摘要

Small-town living doesn't mean that people must resign themselves to living small lives. Quality of life is an underrated factor in rural economic development efforts. Through the years, I've known people willing to make trade-offs for the opportunityto live in a safe community with good schools and few traffic hassles. Attracting and retaining youth and young families also requires communities to plan and to carry out fun and entertaining events.At the turn of the century, towns across the U.S. built opera houses to host traveling troupes and hometown talent. Some had imposing multiple-story ornate brick facades. Others were unpretentious two-story wood structures built to house an audience of 100. Opera was seldom performed there; the featured events ranged from musicals to speech contests, temperance meetings, and magic shows.SMALL STAGES