I am the ghost of the Black Box Theater, and I would like to tell you a little about the great spirit of THE COOP.

It all started back in February 1998, when co-founders Yvette and Corey had a dream. They wanted to create and produce theatre that would get people inspired, get people talking, or at the very least get people thinking. So they created by-laws, named themselves THE COOP and looked for a home. They bounced around from theatre to theatre, each week a new spot. Members came and went. And for a short stretch of time THE COOP included just one other member aside from Corey and Yvette. But that did not dissuade them, through all the hell and havoc they stayed true to their dream.

Finally, after several months, they found a space. Together, with the help of a friend and backer, they were able to call it home or rather, the BLACK BOX. They took out cash advances, filled up Visas, Sears and OSH cards. They survived on credit, caffeine and a daily dose of DK Donuts. They spent every cent and second building the theatre. One morning, Yvette's sister called from Eagle Point, Oregon to say that she had found some cool theater seats from the 1930s on sale, cheep! So Corey and his cousin Dan went on a 24-hour trip to pick them up with Dan's horse trailer and Yvette did the tedious and fume-filled job of painting each one.

Nights and days of construction and painting until they, THE COOP-sters, were weak in the knees and high off the fumes. But Tuesday nights their meeting night they were paid back and rejuvenated by the fact that they now had the place to create their dream. They would take off their gloves, lay down their hammers and paintbrushes, push the tolls and paint cans to the side of the stage and play. As a great man once said, "The plays the thing", and that was never more true. For as dedicated as they were to their dream, they were even more dedicated to their art; the dream was slowly becoming a reality.

Now the stage is set, the walls are painted, the seats are in place, the doors are open and productions are being work-shopped by a hugely talented and dedicated membership. Today THE COOP is an eclectic ensemble of actors, writers and directors committed to the creation of new, cutting edge, original works which they develop and present to the community.

That is the great spirit of THE COOP. And believe me, I know a great spirit when I see one.

Arthur -- You can call me ART, Official Ghost of the Black Box Theatre