Decorah Lions Club members learn about Commonweal Theatre

(Left to right): Hal Cropp of Commonweal Theatre Company and Decorah Lions Club president Lee Wilmarth

Members of the Decorah Lions Club have gotten a chance to hear from Hal Cropp of the Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro.

Cropp told the group the theater was founded on three key principles:  1)  The artists get paid first, 2)  What goes on stage is the primary importance, 3)  Funding must be diversified.  The theater is currently being funding 50/50 by ticket sales and contributor support.

Cropp said last year 21,000 audience members were entertained in a theater located in a town of 700 people.