*Editor's Note: This is the second part in a two-part series investigating arts in the Upper Valley.**##
In addition to Dartmouth's on-campus performing arts options, the Upper Valley boasts a diverse selection of professional and community theaters to whet students' appetites.
However, despite the vibrancy of the region's theater scene, few Dartmouth students take part in local theater productions or attend shows outside of Hanover, according to representatives from several local theaters.
"It feels as though we might be a little bit of a secret to the Dartmouth students," Northern Stage producing director Catherine Doherty said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
Northern Stage is a non-profit theater company that puts on seven plays each year at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, Vt.
The Shaker Bridge Theatre a small, innovative theater company based in Enfield, N.H. does not see many Dartmouth students among its audience members either, according to company director Bill Coons. "Students are so busy doing what they're doing on the Dartmouth campus," Coons said.
Heather Clow, executive director of the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H., cited transportation issues as another factor that keeps students from getting involved. Because Advance Transit does not run on the weekends or at night, students cannot take a bus to attend performances outside of Hanover.
"We certainly get Dartmouth students at our performances, but I think there's a transportation problem," Clow said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
"We'd love more Dartmouth students, but the buses stop. You can't take the bus to the Opera House and get home afterwards."
Doherty said the lack of Dartmouth students attending local performances stems in part from the fact that students are not informed about theaters in the Upper Valley.
"I don't know how much Dartmouth students know about us," Doherty explained. "[We've tried to] get the word out there that we have a $10 student rush ticket."
Although local theaters have not made significant inroads into the Dartmouth community, many have extensive outreach programs in place to spread the arts in the Upper Valley community.
For example, the Opera House's Youth Education Series (YES!) a series of weekday matinee performances for students, teachers and homeschoolers is designed to bring theater to young students in the area.
Clow explained that YES! was created because educators recognized the crucial role the arts can play in the learning process.
"We are trying to provide a way for children to get exposure to the arts outside of the classroom," Clow said.
In addition to the YES! series, the Opera House a renovated performing arts facility hosts local, national and international artists that appeal to a diverse assortment of Upper Valley residents. Past featured performers have ranged from Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi to comedy hypnotist Frank Santos Jr.
Northern Stage also emphasizes diversity in its production schedule, offering everything from classic musicals like "The Wizard of Oz" to contemporary dramas like "Doubt" and "History Boys."
The company draws from both national and local talent for its productions, giving Upper Valley youth the opportunity to participate in theater with its Student Theater Arts Resource (S.T.A.R.), Junior Observer Benefits (J.O.B.) and Project Playwright programs.
Although Doherty said Dartmouth students have interned for Project Playwright a program that brings professional playwrights to Upper Valley schools she added that she would like to collaborate with more Dartmouth students.
"We would always love an opportunity to have Dartmouth students, whether they're theater majors or business [majors]," Doherty said.
Rather than producing well-known works like Northern Stage and Lebanon Opera House, Shaker Bridge Theater puts on new plays written by up-and-coming playwrights.
"People say they've never heard of this play or that playwright," Coon explained. "I say, good." Shaker Bridge also offers a uniquely intimate atmosphere for theater goers.
"No one is farther than six feet from the stage," Coon said, adding that the theater seats only 76 people per performance.
"It creates an intimate space," Coons said. "The closer you are, the more you get involved with it."
Because Upper Valley theaters put on different types of shows and offer distinctive theatrical experiences, Coon said he sees their relationship as collaborative rather than competitive.
From full-scale musicals at Northern Stage to intimate new works at Shaker Bridge to musical performances at the Opera House, the Upper Valley boasts a comprehensive and dynamic performing arts scene.
"We are so lucky that there are so many arts opportunities in the Upper Valley," Clow said. "Any given night you can find something to do."
Doherty said the richness of the Upper Valley arts scene speaks to the strength of the community as a whole.
"I think the arts opportunities here are extraordinary," she added.