Lexington, KY - Learning what cities like Minneapolis, Nashville, Austin and Portland have learned, Lexington is catching on to the fact that a rich cultural and creative landscape reaps economic rewards.
A recent surge in live theatre being offered locally is boosting Lexington's creative environment and bringing an exciting energy to the local arts scene, providing positive economic ripples throughout the city.
For Lexington residents, on just about any given evening, there is a wide variety of creative entertainment to take in, including quality, compelling live theatre available in a variety of venues. For visitors to the area, there's so much to see and do, enticing them to stay awhile and spend their days and dollars here.
Studies from Americans For The Arts, a national organization based in Washington D.C., have shown that arts mean big business and are valuable contributors to the business community. The arts bring economic development in the way of jobs, tax revenues and tourism - not to mention quality of life. The most recent data from a study conducted in 2005 showed community arts organizations generated $166.2 billion nationally, with $103.1 billion in event-related spending by audiences, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues and creating 5.7 million jobs.
"It's exciting what's going on in Lexington," said Bob Quick, CEO of Commerce Lexington. "It's a great time to be here. As more and more people learn about our creative community, the more momentum we see. New connections are being made, and our economic health grows as the creative business sector grows. Word is spreading about the vibrant theater offerings here in Lexington."
Natasha Williams sees firsthand the connection between theater and business. Along with her husband, Gene, Williams owns Natasha's Bistro and Bar downtown on Esplanade.
"We have lived in the shadow of Louisville where theater is concerned. They have a national reputation as a theater town. Now we have so much to offer right here in Lexington. We can build on that and have an opportunity to really add a lot to the region. I believe Lexington's future is to be a cultural hub," noted Williams. "I absolutely believe Lexington is capable of becoming a theater destination city of national significance."
Along with Ryan Case, Williams founded Balagula Theatre, a nonprofit company producing live theater with the objective to be a creative cooperative to provide professional-quality, innovative, inspiring theater. Balagula performs within Natasha's Bistro and Bar on a modular stage that converts the area into a performance space. Balagula has received regional and national recognition.
"This season we have started surveying our audiences to quantify their experience. We want to know what they expect and hope to get from the theatre experience. We've been getting very positive feedback," said Williams.
Natasha's Bistro's 100-seat black-box theatre is not the only non-traditional venue in Lexington. Ave Lawyer, founding member and a director with On The Verge theatre company, has a very creative approach. She has staged several plays in unique venues. With a marketing and theater background, she is well-equipped to bring Lexington something different. Most recently, a play titled Three Viewings was staged at the newest Milward Funeral Home on Trent Boulevard. The new facility was a perfect venue for the play, which featured three vignettes dealing with death and mayhem. The non-traditional venue gave the business a great opportunity to showcase its building and gave the audience a real adventure.
On The Verge describes itself as "an informal alliance of like-minded theatre artists intent on exploring challenging work creating untraditional experiences both for theatre aficionados and for those who would rather be mugged than attend a play." Mission accomplished. It's a sure bet their unique approach has won over any doubters. Most recently, Lawyer staged the play God Of Carnage, billed as "a play about manners, without the manners" at the Downtown Art Center (DAC).
Jim Clark, president of LexArts, recognizes the role of the Downtown Art Center as a theatrical laboratory.
"There is no better way for us to serve than to be an incubator of local talent," he said. "Our black-box theatre has been a venue for many theater productions, and we love that directors, producers and actors can work here in our facility and bring such great work to Lexington."
Clark and his staff have been trying different business models to better accommodate local groups. They have explored using a straightforward rental fee agreement as one option or taking a percentage of the box office proceeds in lieu of a rental fee, in hopes of offering some freedom for different groups to employ the space as best fit their needs.
"We want the DAC to be a dynamic theater space," noted Clark. The Downtown Arts Center has hosted local theater groups and school productions and now offers theatrical performances starting at 7:30 p.m. This way people have more time to go out afterward and enjoy more nightlife.
"It's better for local businesses when the after-theatre crowd hits the streets. We want to build relationships within the community and work together to make it work for everybody," said Clark.
When people are out and about, actively engaging the community, the economic stimuli can move through restaurants and bars, gas stations, dress shops and dry cleaners to barber shops and local printers, just to name a few.
Jim Gleason, board president of Actors Guild of Lexington, has recognized the only downside to Lexington's thriving theater scene is the competition for performance space.
"The biggest challenge is there are few spaces that we are all competing (for)," said Gleason. Actors Guild felt a strong need to establish a home and created a new 100-seat theater of its own, located on Harrodsburg Road. The new venue has expanded the Actors Guild's audience and allowed greater flexibility in its performance schedule. In addition, it gives the group the ability to add workshops and theatrical readings and to host groups looking for performance space.
Ask any theater group about funding, and you will hear a heavy sigh.
"It's tough," said Gleason.
"The pie is shrinking, and more people are looking for a slice. We try to provide a quality product advertisers, patrons and audiences believe in as a good investment for the Lexington community. Ticket sales have been good and getting better," added Gleason.
"The arts have a great economic impact in the community. Theater, music and art bring people out of their homes and out into the community to engage," said Eric Seale, artistic director of Actors Guild of Lexington. "It's part of what makes a person want to live where they do. You choose a place to live and feel a connection to it when there is a lot to do that is stimulating. You also begin to feel pride and ownership when your town has much to offer."
"Art is a business that attracts new businesses, creates jobs, drives tourism and improves quality of life in Lexington. We are excited to be part of that," said Gleason.
Jim Clark of LexArts agreed.
"Cultural diversity is a must," he said. "It's critical for a certain vibrancy to exist. This array of theater will improve the perception of visitors that we are a creative, dynamic community."
Many of the theater spaces in Lexington are smaller and more intimate.
"Smaller venues allow more risk taking. There isn't the pressure to fill a large venue, which sometimes makes it necessary to bring in only large commercial projects to make money that close out locals," said Clark.
Robbie Morgan, an actress based in Lexington, sees this as a special time to enjoy all kinds of theater.
"Right now you can go see musical, contemporary and experimental theater locally. There is an artist community here really dedicated to craft. Lexington must have a certain intention and commitment in supporting this cultural presence," said Morgan. "We need to build discerning audiences that want the best."
Collaboration and relationships are important. Actors Guild and a new group in town adding to Lexington's fertile dramatic landscape, Project SEE, are sharing a venue and a set to bring two holiday-themed one person plays to Lexington in December. The two companies will alternate evenings to bring David Sedaris's Santaland Diaries and Twelve Dates of Christmas by Ginna Hoben.
Project SEE describes itself as interested in making theater that is "visceral, provocative, inspirational and accessible to all."
Ellie Clark, co-founder of Project SEE, explained, "We are new to the community, and we have had the big challenge of getting to know all the local theater artists and to build our audience. Everyone has been hugely supportive. The interest here in Lexington and the support and collaboration of other theater groups and artists has been amazing."
Theater can give much to Lexington, but what can Lexington do for theater?
"Support us," said Seale. "Come out and be entertained and enjoy the work. This supports the company, the actors, directors and writers. Engage in the process and give us your feedback. It is powerful to have community support and feedback."
Deb Shoss of Agape Theatre Troupe, which is bringing A Song For Coretta to the Opera House in January, is proud of the level of theater that exists in Lexington.
"It's very exciting right now for many reasons. Newer companies like Agape and Balagula and Project See are producing challenging, exciting work and other theater groups that have been around a long time and are very established, like Actors Guild of Lexington and Studio Players. (They) are bringing new levels of excellence to their productions. The universities are also producing compelling plays and Kentucky Conservatory Theatre's latest production of August: Osage County raises the bar for us all. Theater reflects the times, shows us the human condition and enlightens us with its immediacy and resonance."
Lexington celebrates the recent renaissance in live theater in particular and the arts in general but the consensus is that this is no time to rest on our laurels, but rather a time to carry the momentum further. Seale learned the importance of a bold approach at a professional conference years ago.
"There was a lecture about how in tough economic times the conventional wisdom is to slow down or shut down, but actually the opposite is true," he said. "Now's the time to make the most of the great resources and talent we have. Now's the time to be creative and strong and bring our best to Lexington."