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History of Weathervane
Weathervane and Akron
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So... Why?
Just why is community theater so important, and why digitize this collection?
The Weathervane Community Playhouse has been intertwined with Akron since its opening in 1935. For the last nearly 100 years, Weathervane has worked with other local theaters and acting troupes, performed hundreds of plays, and introduced countless people to the joys of acting and theater. Its impact on Akron's artistic scene cannot be overstated.
Scholars throughout history have all recognized the intimate links between community theater and the very communities they serve. This art form is not merely entertainment; it is an undiluted reflection of the beliefs and values of the here and now. Larger theater productions tend to focus upon what they know will perform well, whereas local theaters have more leeway in what messages they can tackle because they are, by nature, much closer to their audience. To analyze a community's politics and beliefs without looking at their theaters' performances is an immense oversight.
Not only is this archive intended to allow for people to explore Akron's politics through theatrical productions, but also to honor the people who made those productions possible. [Start w honor, then go into analysis] A community theater is nothing without the members of that community putting their blood, sweat, and tears into each production. From leading roles to directors to people who donated even the smallest props, everyone deserves credit for the legacy that Weathervane has created. This archive was made digital so anyone might access the playbills and see the thousands of people whose contributions helped create the theater we love today.
To read more on the relevancy of community theater and the academic applications of this archive, click here to explore the Weathervane and Akron page.
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