Your Opinion: City should help theater group

John Spann

Jefferson City

Dear Editor:

Back on Aug. 27, 2018, I wrote a letter to Mayor Tergin in reference to the sale of Shikles and what she could do about helping Capital City Productions continue their performances.

In my letter to the mayor, I expressed my concern about Parks and Recreation and how Jefferson City is always wanting to attract tourists. I am all for tourism and realize its impact on the city, but what about the citizens who live here? Shouldn’t we, who do not ride bikes or scooters, or continuously visit our prison attraction, or visit downtown to eat and drink, have things to enjoy? Don’t visitors from California (Missouri), Columbia, Fulton, etc. count to some degree for tourism dollars? We had friends visiting us from northern Illinois and took them to a production at Shikles. They were impressed with the performance and the whole dinner/theater experience.

Many people from surrounding areas, and even out of state, have enjoyed the terrific performances from actors residing in our communities — veteran actors, novice actors, and young actors.

As reported by Rob Crouse (NT 2/10/19), “CCP hosted 90,000 volunteers, cast members, and audience members between July 2016 and December 2018.” With the City of Jefferson having a population of around 43,000 people, it seems apparent that Capital City Productions is important to the residents in and around Jefferson City.

It seems to me that the City of Jefferson, Parks and Recreation, and the Housing Authority would be interested in keeping a not-for-profit tenant that has been at Shikles for about 12 years, renovating and improving the property, and being involved in the community.

My wife and I have enjoyed many performances at CCP. We also attend Stained Glass Theatre and the Miller Performing Arts. One of the things I have bragged about to my visiting friends is the theater opportunities (as well as other venues) in the Jefferson City area.

If Parks and Recreation and Jefferson City can continue to spend money on greenways, bike paths, islands, and prisons, they could surely find some way to keep Shikles and Capital City Productions going.

Since this situation involves Jefferson City, Parks and Recreation, and the Housing Authority, I am in hopes that Mayor Tergin, City Council members, and the board members can come up with some positive solution to this viable resource in our community.