Why is this important?
Tuolumne County’s performing arts scene
enriches lives of residents, contributes jobs,
and generates millions of dollars for the local
economy. In a 2005 telephone survey of county
residents, more than half gave the highest
ranking of "extremely important" to
the value of a good variety of performing arts
in the community.
What is the measure?
Performing arts attendance, capacity and economic
impact indicate the vitality of our performing
arts scene.
How are we doing?
We have a total seating capacity of approximately
5,000 provided by the nine major venues. Most
venues approach full-capacity for their performances.
Established in 1979, the Sierra Repertory
Theatre, with two stages, presents theatrical
programming from world classics to Broadway
musicals, and is the only central California
theatre company to have a year-round contract
with Actors Equity, the union of professional
actors. Stage 3 Theatre specializes in the
best of contemporary cutting-edge theatre.
Both Sierra Repertory and Stage 3 recently
expanded their facilities.
The dance field is represented by fee-based
studios with limited public performances.
The community offers an active and diverse
music scene including historic, classical,
jazz, contemporary, folk, symphonic, and brass
ensembles. We have an active arts outreach
to schools program (ARTS), strong support of
music ensembles, and a performing arts charter
school. However, we lack adequate public or
private venues to present national tours and
concerts.
Performing arts groups remain financially
vulnerable. Local, state and federal governmental
funding is almost non-existent. Nonprofit arts
groups are heavily dependent on box office
income, which limits programming choices.
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