The Case for Live Theatre: Funding the Art That Builds Us

It’s distressing to see headlines announcing artistic directors stepping down from major theatres across the country—and even more painful to watch theatres close their doors for lack of funding.

Is this a symptom of what our culture chooses to value, or have we simply allowed the cost of creating theatre to rise beyond reach? Broadway tickets are out of range for much of the public, and with material costs climbing everywhere, theatres of all sizes are being forced to raise prices just to survive.

There are countless arguments about why theatres thrive or fail. At MPP, we believe that theatre should be accessible to everyone and that artists deserve a place to be seen and heard. But the deepest reason I love theatre is the community it builds. Anyone who has ever worked on a play walks away with connections they never expected—relationships born from shared creativity, vulnerability, and collaboration.

I used to be timid about asking for support—about asking for money—when advocating for causes I believed in. Not anymore. I’ve seen how quickly these causes can wither without the financial support required to sustain them. That’s why I’m reaching out to you.

Every dollar you give to MPP nurtures the theatre that brings our community together and helps safeguard the cultural life we all depend on.

Communities - the people within them - thrive when the arts do. That’s the case for live theatre.

Help us ensure the arts thrive by becoming a supporter today! Thank you! Joanie