To the editor:

Live performances are something that allows people to escape reality for a little while and just sit and enjoy something that is going on in front of them. For those few hours, no one has to worry about bills, work, homework, or any other things that need to get done. Live theatre lets people be transported into a different world with zany characters and wacky storylines that can provide commentary on many different things.

Because of the COVID pandemic this country has faced in the last few years, audiences for live theatre in Marshall have severely dwindled. I am involved with the college’s theatre department and we used to look out and only see a few empty seats per night have turned into a sea of red chairs staring back at the actors onstage with a few people sprinkled about, and that can be discouraging.

These actors and those involved behind the scenes put a ton of work into each show at SMSU, and we love performing for the community. This letter is a call to action to get more people interested in the arts and to get more people to come out and see these shows.

Going to the shows put on by the college, or even high school and community theatres help support those involved and show that all the hard work done over the course of a few months was for something.

So please, come out and support SMSU theatre, and only other local theatres by coming to see the shows being performed.

Tailer Benson

Marshall