She asked if its vitality or very existence is threatened by today's pervasive popular culture and the ever-expanding role of technology in our lives. Since the early sixties, the network of theaters across the country has expanded steadily from a few dozen to an estimated 1,200 institutions, large and small, reflecting the breadth of genre and cultural diversity in the nation today. Nearly every large city is now served by a major resident theater providing a full range of production, educational and outreach activities to its community. These institutions, often serving as village green for their cities, have been joined by an increasing number of smaller theaters dedicated to a particular artistic mission or constituency. Countless examples can be cited of companies which have revitalized neighborhoods and allowed people within a community to come to know one another.
Theaters also give more intangible gifts.
They allow us the delight of the unexpected, the satisfaction of far-flung journeys of the mind and heart, and the compelling pleasure of sharing those experiences with others. Over the last decade, the reach of many of these institutions has been extended to encompass a vital educational role in the lives of young people both in and out of school, as well as work in community institutions and centers. The number of people served through attendance at main stage productions, by tours and through outreach programs, is expanding year by year. In order to work more effectively, theaters are partnering with each other and with a wide range of community organizations. The National Endowment for the Arts, through its grant programs and leadership initiatives, supports the work and expanding mission of theaters across the country.