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December 26, 2008

By Tim Smith The Democrat Fri Dec 26, 2008, 04:02 PM CST

Welcome back and I hope Christmas was everything you hoped it would be. As promised last week, I want to continue with the second of three reflections on areas that the new administration might consider during its first year in office.

Assisting in that effort, and from the pen of Ms. Teresa Eyring, executive director of Theatre Communications Group from her recent column in American Theater magazine, she offers these interesting considerations:

“Separate from politics, discussions among theatre practitioners are also escalating around the idea of reinvention – new financial models for organizations, new ways of engaging artists and audiences, new ways of ensuring relevance for their work.

“The radical re-imagining of our field and its institutions has never been a more serious possibility…What investment could we make today that would pay off when and if the world returns to some form of normalcy?”

I believe that this rethinking begins in the investments we make in our local communities.

As I have shared on numerous occasions in this column, when one looks at the successes realized since the advent of the Pauls Valley Arts Council, The Toy and Action Figure Museum, and how can we forget the long term relationship with The Missoula Children’s Theatre organization and the K.A.T.I.E Project, and now the partnership that will lead one day to a new Arts and Cultural Center in the old city hall building, the nation’s economic woes as they impact the arts seem a bit more remote in The Valley.

Even though it is way to early to speculate, with the beginning of New Stages, the high school communications and theatre arts program which began in late October, we have another clear indication that vital organizations within the community see value in building for the future.

I am also of the opinion, and I believe it is born out, that one success lays the groundwork for another and yet another. I am certain that seeds of creativity are germinating even as this is being written.

Next week, some parting thoughts on the arts climate for 2009 and beyond. I for one am looking forward to that journey.

And while I have you here: As you know, I always try to keep you informed on the entertainments that will impact our cultural landscape.

Whereas Shrek-The Musical was not, I am sure, developed to become theatrical beacon lighting our way into the future of large scale stage productions, but then again, it just might become that as more and more cartoons and now action heroes are providing the foundations for new shows.

Yes, I have even heard that there is a Spiderman musical in the works.

Oh, and by the way, the early word of mouth is that Shrek had a most positive opening night and when scanning the early public relations clips of some of the musical numbers, it looks like great fun.

The folks on one website went on and on about how it was not at all what they expected – and that (fortunately for the producers) is in the positive column.

And before I forget, enjoy your New Year’s celebrations and travel safe in our town, and around our town as well.

TAS

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