“I really don’t think I’ll find anything better than Reno or Des Moines…”

Props to Downtown Makeover Mike for bringing to my attention these most excellent posts regarding Reno.  Zack Mannheimer’s (a Brooklyn New Yorker) impressions of Reno are as enlightening as they are refreshing.  His posts really are worth a read.  (note: link found below) 

On June 1st Zack Mannheimer left his home in Brooklyn, New York to embark on a 10-week, cross-country road trip to visit smaller cities across Middle America in order to discover his new home.  One of his goals once he finds his destination: “…to open a theatre and a restaurant that practices and executes a socialistic nature.”

Seven years ago Mannheimer founded the Subjective Theatre Company in Brooklyn, NY where he produces socially conscious, political theatre free of charge.  His latest mission: “…let’s take our ideas to people who have never heard of them before, and let’s listen to their ideas since we haven’t heard of them. The goal here is to learn from people in other places as much as they can learn from us.”

But where to go?  In his quest for an answer, Mannheimer set off to visit more than two dozen cities across the country.  His criteria:
*  Population of 100,000 – 350,000
*  A population who leans more right than left
*  A place where there is little to no major theatre or culinary scene
*  Inexpensive real-estate

And, yes, Reno was included in his search. 

On the blog chronicling his odyssey, Mannheimer states:  “Once I decide on my destination, I will move there this autumn and seek to acquire a building where I can open a Spanish Tapas and Wine restaurant as well as a fully functional theatre that is programmed as close to 24/7 as possible…”

Furthermore, Mannheimer adds, “I also plan to run for city council. I want to take an active role in the community that I live in, and create new ones. And I feel this is only achievable by living and creating in a place where the majority of those whom I surround myself with do not agree with me. I seek real discourse and discussion, and I feel one of the greatest ways to do this is by using live performance and food and drink as catalysts. I have done this in NYC for several years. Now it is time to test it out in more unfamiliar surroundings.”

To read what Mannheimer thought of his three days in Reno, check out Zack Mannheimer’s Survey of the American Theatre Landscape.  [Once on the home page, click on the US map over Reno to access his three Reno posts.]  As Downtown Makeover Mike commented, “His three posts about Reno are downright amazing. Perfect example of ‘what lies beneath’ the surface of Reno.”  I agree.

Here are a few quotes gleaned from Mannheimer’s posts…

“ ‘Reno is a place where if you are a pioneer, you can make things happen rather easily…’”

“This…has given me great hope to move to Reno, of all places – Reno!”

“I really don’t think I’ll find anything better than Reno or Des Moines…”