I belong to the select group of people who passionately strive to bring quality entertainment to the people of Ottumwa, Iowa (at least I was). This group consisted of about 25 young people and about 15 adults. We have been putting on theater productions for years; we've done "School House Rock", "Wizard of Oz", "Grease", "Jekyll & Hyde", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Beauty and the Beast" and many others before it. I can honestly say that this group of people is among the most talented I've ever worked, and I looked forward to working with them everyday. We had an insane amount of fun, playing practical jokes on each other, shooting hoops in the gym behind the auditorium.
Unfortunately, I have been around to see the downfall of this theater movement, which brought Ottumwa much cultural life. The lack of support for the theater has been growing at an alarming rate. Businesses grew tired of putting forth money to advertise in our programs, and large local corporations stopped providing sponsorships big enough to give audiences a spectacle. It's a sad thing to think about, but I've lived through the rise and fall of a subculture in the matter of eight years. I've set out for new things since I left for college, but I still think how good it would be to revive the live theater community in Ottumwa, Iowa.
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