[Winona Online Democracy]
The Page Theater at St. Mary's University holds an audience of 455. This is a nice sized house, but it is hardly huge. The other stage space is much smaller. During the time I worked at St. Mary's in the PAC, the performance space was very heavily scheduled, which affected how many and what kind of productions were held at St. Mary's. I don't think the public understands how much prep time is required to prepare for a production of any size, or the technical considerations in any performance space. Not every space works for every performance.
A professional theater company, especially one that hoped to run year round, would need access to that space year round. This is not something that St. Mary's, WSU or Cotter (which is a much smaller space) could offer. The high school auditorium is in need of significant renovation, and again, would not have space available year round.
And, as has been mentioned before, there is a need for business office space, dressing rooms, costume shops, set shops, practice space, storeage, etc for a year round theater.
I always admired the auditorium space in the old middle school, but it needs a great deal of work, as well as perhaps having some of the same scheduling/space constraints other spaces currently in Winona have. In addition, parking is a serious issue. We were always grateful to be able to walk to our kids performances at the old middle school auditorium.
I understand the need to be good stewards of pubic money, and I understand that there is some risk involved in any venture. It is possible that a lot of money could be invested in GRSF, and the festival not become a money maker, or not generate an economic boost for Winona. However, I see the possibility of it becoming a great success and adding one more reason for people to visit Winona, and to raise their families here.
Currently, I work in Rochester. Co-workers often ask if there is anything exciting happening in Winona, something suitable for a day trip or for a family day. I always promote Steamboat days, especially the parade, and Victorian Days, and am always happy to point out when there are other terrific events happening in Winona. Not everybody is excited when I mention theater happenings, but some are, and some have been disappointed to have missed more than one production in Winona at SMU or WSU. By the way, Bloedow's is a big hit in my work place.
Terri Hyle
From: "Duane Peterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'MJ Greenwald'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"'Winona Online Democracy'" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [Winona] Shakespeare, etc.
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 16:16:05 -0500
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
I think that the objection to the GRSF is the effort to build a new theatre when we already have a theatre at St. Marys College, Winona State University, to say nothing of the old St. Ts (now Cotter) theatre and the Old High School Auditorium that is in dire need of funds to remodel it and bring it up to date. If Winona were like Lanesboro with only a high school auditorium, one might think about a new theatre. One cannot help but notice how carefully Lanesboro has proceeded to the point where it now is. For some reason GRSF (only 3 yrs old) is rushing to build a new theatre. That is what I think that most of the objections are about. I dont think that anyone wants to shut down GRSF, but why not use the facilities that we already have. Improve and update them if we must, but dont start all over.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of MJ Greenwald
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 12:42 PM
To: Winona Online Democracy
Subject: [Winona] Shakespeare, etc.
It has been interesting to follow the discussions on the Great River Shakespeare Festival and the need for public monies from a variety of sources. I have a unique perspective on this topic, as an artist and former resident of Lanesboro, Minnesota, now a big arts town, for 15 years.
Not everyone is a consumer of the arts. When groups of people decide to invest in an arts project, it is difficult to quantify the benefits to the community in the short term. In Lanesboro, we had a confluence of events that eventually led to an economic BOOM. The Lanesboro of 1987 and the Lanesboro of today are opposites.
The BOOM started with the public investment of funds in the bicycle trail. In 1985 a Minneapolis entrepreneur opened the first Bed and Breakfast in town, Mrs. Bs. Fortunately, it was a quality act that attracted lots of favorable attention. In 1987, Commonweal Theater formed and had its first season during the summer months. They received financial support from the City of Lanesboro and FREE RENT from the Lanesboro Arts Council, a local nonprofit group. A year or so later, a number of artists formed the Cornucopia Art Center, a visual art gallery. All of us donated our time, and we were fortunate to find an angel who provided a building at a low rent. Meanwhile, the State of Minnesota kept pouring more funds into bicycle trail extensions.
Today, 19 years later, Commonweal is finally constructing its own modern theater building. The trail connects myriad communities in Fillmore County. There are now 23 lodging establishments listed on the community website, and numerous new campgrounds. Artists, retirees, and others attracted to the outdoors and arts offerings are buying or building new homes, or starting other non-tourism businesses in the community.
Its okay that the Shakespeare Festival isnt everyones cup of tea. I suspect not everyone is a fan of Marine Art either. What is important is that these are class acts. They do require angels including funding from public and private sources, especially during start-up periods. I think that Winona needs to keep investing in a variety of activities, good libraries, arts offerings, parks and bicycle trails to serve the needs of local residents and to make the community attractive to newcomers who will buy homes or start businesses here.
By the way, there arent a lot of wealthy people in the arts. Actors get hired for short periods, then have to audition and wait to get other jobs. The competition is intense, and benefits like insurance and job security are rare. Those who succeed at earning a living have to work incredibly hard.
One final soapbox statement: if you would like to support the local visual arts scene, visit the Summer on the River Gallery at the Winona Arts Center. Learn more about it, and other local arts events, at the WAC website: www.winonaarts.org.
Martha Greenwald
My website: www.marthagreenwald.com
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