Burien Little Theatre's current production, a humorous look at the forever optimist Cubs fans as they root on the Cubs, "Bleacher Bums" will run April 16 through May 9. http://www.burienlittletheatre.com/page2.html.

So who cares? Why support the arts in Burien anyway? Isn't just a way for a few people to feel good about themselves? Why help? Why now?

Well as it turns out, arts are good for business! Arts are good for Burien! As explained in an article in the most recent edition (March 2010) of The Business Report, a newspaper serving business interests in South King County. http://www.businessreportonline.com/.

The article, "Arts Represents a Boon to the Local Economy," describes some of the economic benefits arts organizations provide to South King County.

As the article notes, a 2005 study by Americans for the Arts showed that nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $166.2 billion in economic activity in a year. The ArtsFund 2003 King County Economic Impact Study reported that countywide arts and culture were responsible for $208 million in sales, $113.4 million in labor income and $8 million in tax revenues.

As also noted in the attached article, not only does Burien Little Theatre buy locally whenever possible, 77.6 percent of BLT's patrons go out and eat or drink before or after seeing one of Burien Little Theatre's performances.

Burien Little Theatre itself spends money in the local economy. Live theater takes many things: first of all theater takes a lot of space that Burien Little Theatre rents from the city and a local school district.

Theatre also needs countless items to present a live production: from paint to props, from shoes to sandpaper, and everything in between.

Theater must create an entire world to tell its story. To do that, Burien Little Theatre spends tens of thousands of dollars every season.

Whenever possible Burien Little Theatre spends that money locally.

Burien Little Theatre is suffering from loss of space in the near term and the long term.

So what can you do to help? First, go see a performance. Decide for yourself whether the local arts are worth supporting. Burien Little Theatre is not your parents' community theatre. It is part of the suburban fringe movement, bringing to Burien bold, fun, high-quality productions of works you cannot get on a DVD or anywhere else. Check it out, enjoy yourself and support the arts at the same time.

If you are blessed enough to be in a financial position where you can give some support to the local arts community, please be generous. Help the local arts grow. Because, as the local arts community grows, the local economy will grow even in these tough economic times.

Eric Dickman, Artistic Director
Maggie Larrick, Managing Director
Burien Little Theatre