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SPOTLIGHT
ON THE ARTS - August 2002 by Deanna Mascle A Market for the Arts Market House Theatre in Paducah is a community theatre in every sense of the world. The community owns and operates the theatre, stages its productions, enjoys the arts experience its provides, and sometimes even writes the productions. The Market House is a regional theatre that draws its audiences from western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and western Tennessee. Located in the turn-of-the-century Market House Building, MHT is more than just a theatre; it is also a cultural center that also includes a museum and art gallery. The first employee was hired in 1978 and today the theatre has a full- and part-time staff of 12. However, it takes much more than 12 paid employees to operate Market House Theatre. It is run by a 20-member community board of directors, stimulated by 250-300 local artists, and supported by 400 volunteers. Its purpose is to provide a “hands on” experience in the theatre arts for everyone in the community through producing plays and teaching classes in the theatre arts. Community participation with the theatre varies. Anyone can audition for plays, work on the production crews, take classes, or volunteer for any aspect of the theatre. In addition, members provide tax-deductible contributions to support the work of the theatre and outreach programming, and elect the board of directors. Another method of participation includes writing a play for the Bi-Annual Original One Act Competition. The competition usually draws over 100 entries from around the world. The two winning entries are produced with a staged reading. MHT is nationally recognized for our programming, quality of productions, and outreach into the schools.” The theatre has an active program to encourage youth involvement. MHT’s Footlights program includes three youth acting troupes for ages 8-18 and Saturday morning classes for elementary, middle and high school students. The Theatre in Schools program offers workshops on storytelling, theatre production, acting, stage makeup, and other humanities content. In addition, Story Theatre tours regional elementary schools each fall and spring with a short musical based on a children’s classic. The theatre has competed in the American Association of Community Theatres Competition seven times; four of those competitions resulted in placing first in the Kentucky competition and going on to regionals. The other three times the theatre was runner-up. “We are also extremely proud of taking three condemned buildings on the National Historic register and restoring them into a complex of offices, costume shops, scene shops, classroom spaces, guest artist apartments, and a studio theatre that is a model for historic restoration,” says Michael Cochran, executive director of MHT. However that pride in past accomplishments doesn’t stop them from planning for the future. “We hope to continue to improve our facilities and to build our endowment to support us during the ups and downs of the economy. We hope to bring in more professional artists in extended residencies to give our local actors, technicians and designers the opportunity to work with the best and brightest in the theatre industry.” MHT kicked off its 39th season in July with Hello Dolly. Upcoming productions include Harvey, Flaming Idiots, Wit, Over the River and Through the Woods and Kiss Me Kate. The youth season includes The Little Red Hen, Cinderella Stories, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and The Miracle Worker. For more information about Market
House Theatre, visit http://mhtplay.com
or call 888-MHT-PLAY. Deanna Mascle is a
staff writer for The Lane Report. |
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