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Published: November 20, 2008 10:45 pm    print this story   email this story  

Our Readers Speak, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Reconsider cutting TWV funding






I was very distressed to read in The Register-Herald that Theatre West Virginia, one of the very few professional arts organizations in our region, will receive $100,000 less in state funding this coming year. This substantial budget cut could very well result in the closing of the company.

All of your readers are very familiar with TWV’s yearly presentations of “Hatfields and McCoys” and “Honey In the Rock.” In addition, the company has presented many Broadway musicals, including “Guys and Dolls,” “Grease,” “Oklahoma” and “The Wizard of Oz.” I attended one evening of “High School Musical” this past summer and the audience was filled with folks who had traveled great distances to see the production. The theater brings in thousands of tourist dollars to our area each year.

As an arts educator, I am also familiar with TWV’s extensive touring programs throughout the year that reach thousands of school children around the state who have no other access to theater. In a community such as ours, they provide a vital service to these children.

We cannot take Theatre West Virginia for granted. For many of us from this area, Theatre West Virginia provided our very first chance to work professionally in the arts. The experience I received as a young singer and musician with the theater was formative. Now that I am a music teacher, many of my students have been provided with those same opportunities and it is exciting to see them develop. The loss of those opportunities would be a tragedy.

We live in one of the most arts-poor communities in one of the most arts-poor states in our nation. We must value those organizations that enrich our lives and our community with art. The Manchin administration makes claim to being supportive of both education and the arts, yet this decision would negatively affect thousands of West Virginia students and would deprive many southern West Virginia students of their only opportunity to see a professionally-produced theatrical production.

I am certain that the first lady, a native of our area, is very familiar with the role Theatre West Virginia plays in our community. I would urge the governor to please reconsider this decision.

John A. Deskins

Music Teacher

Shady Spring High School



Loss of TWV would be a deep wound






I was so saddened to read of the possibility Theatre West Virginia may have to close its doors due to a funding cut. TWV has brought Southern West Virginia the opportunity to view fine theater and instill a sense of pride. As a very young girl I remember so vividly the first time I saw “Honey in the Rock.” I will never forget the awe it inspired as I watched the actors bring to life the powerful story of independence and bravery that is West Virginia. The loss of Theatre West Virginia would be a wound too deep.



Wendy Sullivan

Beckley

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