by Donna Marie Minano | Special to the Courier

When my husband Frank and I founded our theater company Inland Valley Repertory Theatre in 1990, we did so with the mission of building a community of storytellers whose work together would enhance not only our lives but the lives of our audiences.

More than 30 years later, this core concept is still at the heart of all we do. In a time where our nation is plagued by division, with a tendency to magnify our differences rather than our commonalities, live theater emerges as a beacon of hope. It has the remarkable ability to unite individuals, offering profound insights and nurturing empathy for perspectives different from our own.

At IVRT we run outreach initiatives aimed at empowering children to discover their voices, boost their confidence, and ignite their creativity through programs like Camp IVRT, El Roble Panther Performing Arts Workshop, 13, the Musical, I Love Chorus, and Theater for Young Audiences.

We choose plays that leave people feeling hopeful and inspired. We strive to model inclusivity and acceptance when choosing the stories we tell and the actors we cast.

Like most theater companies, IVRT was affected by the closures mandated by the COVID pandemic, and we had the additional obstacle of losing our theater home with the closing of Claremont’s beloved Candlelight Pavilion in 2022. Despite these obstacles, we persevered by staging 11 shows across seven different venues over the past 18 months while actively seeking a permanent home for the performing arts.

Our survival is made possible thanks to the support of local politicians, local community organizations, grant money from government organizations at the city, county and state level, and the incredible generosity of our loyal patrons. This outpouring of community support is an affirmation of the work we are doing and the impact the performing arts can have on those whose lives they touch.

We are not alone in doing this work. There are many other wonderful organizations in the community whose artists are providing opportunities for people to come together as performers and audiences.

As we head toward November and what promises to be a tumultuous time, when most news will focus on issues that drive us apart, I urge you to support organizations and causes that bring people together. Donate when you can, act if you are able, buy a ticket to see a show. Put live theater on your radar.

Donna Marie Minano is the co-founder and executive director of Inland Valley Repertory Theatre.