General Info:
Bluff City Theater is based in Hannibal, Missouri. The company was founded in 2013 by Joe Anderson and Wesley Yargus. Bluff City Theater is an artist-driven theater company with an emphasis on literary works that bridge the gap between books and stage. While not exclusively limited to literature, our goal will be to explore the written word through stage adaptation. The works chosen can span a wide array of types including drama, comedy and musicals and could incorporate readings and concert formats depending on the scope of the work and the best method of presenting it within the limitations of the theater organization. The source material can be from anywhere in the world. We may select our works based on a variety of criteria, but always from an artist-centric bias. For example, seasons could be built around broad themes, specific authors, specific eras or specific characters seen through the eyes of different authors. While we are primarily a producing company, we may from time-to-time present other works consistent with our artistic mandate. We seek to enhance the quality of life for residents of North-Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois by producing high-quality performances employing the best actors, directors, musicians and technicians available in an intimate setting. We commit ourselves to developing new works as well as reviving old favorites, especially those that may be forgotten, under-performed or under-appreciated. We, first and foremost, seek to entertain but our mandate extends to educating audiences and fostering a larger discussion around the works and their themes and an appreciation of the role live theater plays in propagating ideas and public discourse. As an ancillary to the primary goals, we partner with the larger arts community to, when appropriate, foster a broader exploration of themes using other forms like lecture, film and the visual arts. As part of our mandate, we are committed to youth by nurturing an awareness of and love for literature and the performing arts among successive generations. This is accomplished through a spectrum of initiatives and activities aimed at including youth in the fabric of the theater organization. In addition, one play in each season is dedicated to children’s literature, historic or current. For the purposes of this document: Literary Works is defined as works by or about books, works that began as books or stories about authors or literary characters. Artist-Driven is defined as selecting work based on the best talent available rather selecting the work and casting to it. Artist-Centric Bias is defined as emphasizing talent quality over production-values and other considerations.