Started in 1957 by John Little, the 16 Street Harrison Street theater was a commercial venture through 1978. Shrevey writes that the influx of actors and other stage folks interacted with the townies, leading Sullivan to deal with issues such as homophobia and racism a lot more regularly and sooner than many other small Midwestern towns. The 2000 hardcover talks about the theater's origins as a for-profit "star" venuea place where touring celebrities were featured starring in short runs of classic plays. Beth Shrevey's The Little Theatre on the Square: Four Decades of a Small-Town Equity Theatre. Since its inception, the theater itself has been an integral part of shaping attitudes in Sullivan, according to Dr. The offstage influence of Betty Grable and friends "I don't go around talking about who's in what bed, but I think people kind of know. Demographics, however, don't always live up to assumptions about them. The town is the county seat of Moultrie County, where Donal Trump garnered 77.1 percent of the vote in 2016. Sullivan doesn't initially seem like the typical town where non-traditional relationships, Equity theater and high-end, weed-themed toiletries line would flourish. "Our house always smells wonderful," said Stephens. The Astoria products range from whimsical soaps ( "Clown Repellent" and "Werewolf Moon" are popular, as is the hemp oil-infused "Astoria Weed" ) to more traditionally scented/infused lip balms, moisturizers and lotions. While Stephens tends to the theater, Moser and Valentine run the thruple's Astoria Soap Company, a line of luxury bath items they make in their home. For six years, Valentine and Stephens have been in a thruple that includes Tyler Mosier. The Millikin University music education major lives in a Victorian mansion ( about the same price as a one-bedroom in Boystown if local real-estate listings are to be believed ) with his husband of 15 years, Timmy Valentine. Stephens' affection for Sullivan extends beyond the theater's walls. The annual holiday show follows in December. This year's six-show season started with Million Dollar Quartet ( ended June 17 ), and continues with Hello Dolly ( June 20July 1 ), Damn Yankees July 5-15, Annie ( July 18≲9 ), Young Frankenstein ( Aug. "I love spotting talented people early, and giving them a chance to shine." People who had started here have gone on to Broadway, and the major regional theaters," Stephens said. "I feel like we do sometimes have to work a little harder than big-city theaters, both to get audiences and draw talent. It's tough to imagine the Little Theatre without the round-the-clock ministrations of John Stephens, 40, who this year celebrates a decade as the venue's executive director and producer. Since its inaugural production of Brigadoon in 1957, the 418-seat Equity theater in tiny Sullivan, Illinois ( population just over 6,000 at the last census ) has endured. Put Sullivan, Illinois' Little Theatre on the Square squarely in odds-defying category. Especially if you are located in the heart of Amish country more than two hours away from a major city ( in this case, Chicago ). Endure for 60 years and it's not so much of a stretch to say you've defied astronomical odds and all common sense. If a theater survives five years, a theater has reached a major milestone. Stage 2 is an intimate cabaret style setting with tables, chairs and bar stools and seats sixty while the Main Stage, with comfortable, new traditional theater seating can accommodate 130 patrons.This article shared 1977 times since Wed Jun 20, 2018 TOTS, which has become the official nickname of the theater, now boasts two stages and produces year round. Since known as Indianapolis’ Arts and Theater District. The Board of Directors voted to retain the incorporated name of Theatre on the Square and this move prompted then Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith to declare the Massachusetts Avenue corridor Indianapolis’ Official Arts District. Originally an eighty seat playhouse, with a single performance space, the theater outgrew its first home after five years and was relocated to 627 Massachusetts Avenue, a mere half block from Chatham Square. Founded in 1988 by Ron Spencer and a group of friends, the theater was originally located in another Indianapolis historic neighborhood, Fountain Square. In Indianapolis, at the very heart of the Mass Ave Arts and Theater District in Chatham Arch, you’ll find the well-known venue Theater on the Square.
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