An usher leads a latecomer to their seat nearby, and I marvel at how even this small gesture is part of the evening’s drama, each of us a character in this shared story. What brought us all here tonight? Some are here for the art itself, others for time with family or friends, and still others, perhaps, out of tradition. Whatever the reasons, we gather with a common purpose: to experience something beyond ourselves, together.
This tradition of gathering for shared storytelling goes back to the beginnings of human culture. I think of ancient Greece, where, thousands of years ago, tens of thousands gathered for the Festival of Dionysus. There, theater wasn’t merely entertainment; it was a spiritual and civic duty, a way to honor the gods and reflect on human nature. The Romans, too, filled their arenas for grand spectacles that celebrated their gods and blurred the line between spectator and performer.
Later, in medieval Europe, theater became an unruly social event. Audience members ate, drank, wandered and talked openly as they watched, with theaters as brightly lit as the stage itself. The best seats faced the audience, allowing patrons to admire one another as much as the performers. The performance served as a pretext for gathering, mingling and spectacle.
Returning to the present, I realize how each of us attending a live performance is part of this lineage, sharing in a timeless impulse. The lights dim and a hush falls over the crowd as the actors take the stage. In a brief, fleeting moment, all our lives – diverse and yet united – merge into one. We become part of a tradition as old as humanity itself, bound together by the magic of the performance and the universal human urge to gather, to celebrate, and to dream.
December at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College is a season of holiday magic and tradition. It begins with the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 13 to 15. Families gather to watch professional dancers bring Clara’s dream to life, with beautiful costumes and sets creating a world of enchantment. What makes this “Nutcracker” unique, though, is the presence of our own community. Local children join the cast, dancing and singing alongside the ballet, while musicians from the San Juan Symphony perform Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
On Dec. 18, the stage transforms for the Bar-D Wranglers’ Christmas Jubilee. This Durango favorite, with its mix of holiday stories, humor and Western music, has been a cherished tradition for 55 years, bringing both nostalgia and festive joy. Like the “Nutcracker,” we share an evening with artists our community knows well and celebrate with friends, family and newcomers alike.
These performances remind us why we gather during the holidays – not just for the show but to share in a larger story of community and connection. It’s here, surrounded by friends and family, that we truly feel the spirit of the season. For tickets and more events, visit durangoconcerts.com or call 247-7657, Monday to Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Charles Leslie is director of the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
