I live in a small town that has a big city love of the performing arts. With three community theater companies, two high schools and a community college with active performing arts programs, two museums and a variety of community music groups that perform regularly, the arts community has options!

Iowa Central Community College will be featuring a show written by Aaron Westrum who is himself an alum. The show is titled “Falling Awake” and opens this Thursday under the direction of my talented friend, Teresa Jackson. I had the opportunity to meet Aaron at a director’s workshop this summer – he’s a fellow musical theather director in an Iowa high school! – and it was such fun to hear his excitement. The show, in a nutshell, is about a girl who is in a coma but wakes up in a sort of “holding place”.

Fort Dodge Senior High presents “A Little Piece of Heaven” on November 1st and 2nd. The story is centered on a curiosity shop that always seems to have exactly what each customer needs. Even if they don’t know they need it. Students are hard at work bringing this touching story to life.

Whether you live in Fort Dodge, Iowa, or not do some digging and go out and support the performing arts departments at your local schools. Trust me – the performers will appreciate having you there!