Local Theatre History Part VI - ARTS

   The group known as ARTS was formed, basically, as a new wing of an organization that got its start about 17 years ago. 

   Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) began as an alliance of three theatre groups and one youth orchestra. The idea was, they would work together to refurbish part of the old Huntington High School and turn it into a center for local arts groups.

   For assorted reasons the idea didn’t work out and the original members of the organization - the Musical Arts Guild, the Musical Arts Guild - Children’s Theatre, Huntington Outdoor Theatre and the Tri-State Youth Orchestra - all eventually left the ARTS organization.

   But that wasn't the end. The group's board continued on its own, managing the use of the auditorium and renting it out to other organizations. For several years the organization presented fundraisers in concert form featuring Broadway veterans like Mark and Beth McVey.

   About 10 years ago the group started presenting stage shows as a way to raise money to refurbish the auditorium.

   The output was solid, including shows like Amahl and the Night Visitor, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, Will Rogers Follies and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (among many others). 

   But in 2012, ARTS took a surprising new direction. It built a new structure, basing it around a team of four directors: current President Bil Neal, Gene Anthony, Mike Murdock and Stephen Vance. 

   They auditioned and cast a resident acting company, and used that group to present a season of six shows in 2013, using open auditions to round out each cast. 

   It was a tremendous success, so they used the same plan for the next few seasons, which included shows as diverse as Twelve Angry Men, The Pirates of Penzance, The Boy Friend, Much Ado About Nothing, August Osage County, The Full Monty and Rabbit Hole.  

   But sadly, 2017 was the final year for ARTS. Difficulties with their theatre space (including an ongoing lawsuit) led the group to dissolve after its final production, The Odd Couple.

   It's a terrible loss for Huntington's theatre community, but hopefully some of the individuals involved will form a new community theatre group one day soon, and Huntington will once again have a full-time adult theatre company.

Next: A group of Free Spirits!