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The Little Country Theater
Hardcover
General SociologyTheater HistoryPlays
ISBN13: 9781025804880
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 282
Weight: 1.26
Height: 0.69 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Little Country Theater is a seminal exploration of the grassroots community theater movement in early 20th-century America. Written by Alfred G. Arvold, a visionary in the field of rural social development, this work details the transformative power of drama in small communities. The book chronicles the origins and philosophy behind the Little Country Theater at the North Dakota Agricultural College, illustrating how a simple stage could serve as a vital sociological laboratory for rural residents.
Arvold argues that theater is not merely a form of entertainment but a potent tool for community building, education, and the enrichment of the human spirit. Through practical examples and insightful observations, the text explores the technical and social aspects of staging productions in rural settings, from selecting plays to building local interest. It serves as both a historical record of a significant cultural movement and a passionate manifesto for the democratization of art.
This work remains an essential resource for those interested in the history of the American theater, rural sociology, and the enduring importance of community-led cultural initiatives. It highlights the potential for creative expression to overcome isolation and foster a sense of shared identity in the heart of the country.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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