February 20, 2024 – The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County has been approved for an LSTA Competitive Grant through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the amount of $13,527. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provided the funding, which was administered by the State Library of Ohio. The grant will be used to support production costs for An Enemy of the People: A Theater Project from America’s Hometown, the Library’s upcoming collaboration with Theater of War Productions and Kenyon College. An Enemy of the People: A Theater Project from America’s Hometown premieres at Knox Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon at 6:00 p.m. on April 6th, and at Oden Hall in Gambier on April 7th at 4:00 p.m. Persons wishing to get involved with the April production as a cast member, panelist, usher or volunteer may visit https://forms.gle/f6iDVWrhreSHmmcU9 to indicate their interest(s).
“Theater of War Productions is thrilled to partner with the Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County, Kenyon College, and the people of Knox County this spring,” says Theater of War Production Artistic Director Bryan Doerries. “The LSTA grant supports an exciting community collaboration that will bring together local people from a variety of backgrounds and engage them in creating, promoting, and executing a performance that launches a conversation amongst Ohio citizens —a conversation that invites participation locally and by national and international audiences.”
Jon Tazwell, a longtime Knox County resident and Kenyon College professor who is part of the creative workgroup for the project, will serve as Technical Director and perform in the play, alongside Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr, and other local actors. Tazewell notes that “The play presents questions relevant to our recent experiences with the public discourse….The priority of our project is not the performance itself, but the conversation among the community. Microphones will be made available in the theater afterwards to allow audience responses and discussion. The LSTA grant helps cover the expenses of the camera and sound technology that allows for this project to work.”
Library Deputy Director of Development Jamie Lyn Smith-Fletcher notes that “The LSTA grant makes it possible for the Library to cover production costs, including artist salaries, advertising, and a sizeable crew of technicians whose work supports both the theatrical event at Knox Memorial and the livestream that will let us reach a worldwide audience. And it’s great to know our project garnered this kind of support at the state level.”
An Enemy of the People: A Theater Project From America’s Hometown is co-presented by Theater of War Productions, the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Mount Vernon Arts Consortium, and Kenyon College, with generous support from the Ohio Arts Council’s ArtStart program, a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Grant, Kenyon College Office for Community Partnerships, an LSTA Competitive Grant and the Kenyon College Bicentennial Fund.
As with all Library programs, this event is free and open to the public. For more information about this project and other Library programs, please visit www.knox.net, call (740) 392-BOOK, extension 259, or email knoxwrites1@gmail.com.
For more information on the State Library of Ohio and affiliate LSTA grant program, visit library.ohio.gov/services-for-libraries/lsta-grants.
