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Following the publication of a previous report examining the ethics of unpaid labor in local theaterr CLICK LINK, tthe conversation across Northwest Ohio’s theater community has continued to evolve. What began as a debate over whether artists should be paid has shifted toward a more complex question: How can community theaters realistically compensate performers and production teams while remaining financially sustainable? A Continued Conversation In the days since the stor

By Floyd Anderson As local theater thrives in Northwest Ohio, artists and volunteers are asking a difficult question: Should the people who bring these productions to life be paid? “The question of compensation has become increasingly relevant as artists across the country reconsider the role of unpaid labor in nonprofit arts organizations.” On a typical rehearsal night in Toledo, the energy backstage feels electric. Actors rehearse lines under fluorescent lights, directors a

iDance Telethon commercial. Written and Produced by Floyd Anderson For 12 straight hours on Saturday, Feb. 28, the spotlight will shine on inclusion. Inclusive Arts Ohio is hosting its annual benefit concert telethon, “iDance with Love,” a daylong fundraiser designed to support adaptive arts programming for individuals of all abilities. The event runs from noon to midnight and will be held in person while also streaming live on Facebook. Organizers say 100 percent of the proc

Stone Productions is celebrating its 10th anniversary season by opening with the Tony Award-winning musical “Avenue Q,” a bold and unconventional choice that reflects the company’s decade-long commitment to provocative storytelling and boundary-pushing theater. Founded with a mission to challenge traditional expectations, Stone Productions has carved out a distinct place in the Toledo arts scene. Director Derek Roe describes the company as “the renegade of Toledo theater,” a

Toledo Zoo display. Photo Floyd Anderson 2025 The holiday spirit is alive and glowing at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium , which this season is celebrating the 40th year of its beloved Lights Before Christmas event. The annual tradition officially opened in late November, and this year’s display is bigger, brighter, and more immersive than ever. The Lights Before Christmas festivities run now through December 31st, giving families and visitors a full month to take in the magic of

Every year, small business owners across the region come together for Strategic Action Planning Day (SAP Day), an annual event hosted by E.A. Lewis & Associates designed to help entrepreneurs build a clear and actionable strategic plan for the upcoming business year. This year’s session, held on Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Buckeye Bnk ,conference room in Perrysburg. Brought together about thirteen attendees—from personal decluttering professionals to heads of HR—each