Memorial Opera House (MOH) was originally created as a memorial for Porter County soldiers who passed during the Civil War, but it has since grown to be a spot for veterans of all conflicts and their families. As such an important fixture for veterans in the community, MOH honors fallen and returned veterans every year on Veterans Day, but former Administrative Coordinator Natalia “Natalie” Klobuchar feels it’s time to take things to the next level.
“We currently offer a veteran's discount on tickets, and then we also offer one event a year, which is the Veterans Day concert that is free for veterans,” Klobuchar said. “In our opinion, that’s not enough.”
That’s why this year’s Veterans Day performance is also going to serve as the launch of a Veterans Committee to handle events for veterans as well as promote more veteran-centered programming moving forward.
“Our facility was built as a living memorial rather than a statue, and I would like our facility to be exactly what it was built for and not just something people walk by,” said Klobuchar. “That's one of the biggest reasons we're developing a Veterans Committee. We have so many different facets of our facility – comedy shows, musicals, plays. Concerts – and it's time to have more of a relationship with the veterans of our community. We do that by making calculated decisions about how we choose our programming.”
To jumpstart the Veterans Committee, this year’s Veterans Day performance will transform from a free concert for veterans into a fundraiser to support veterans and their families. While stepping away from tradition, the fundraiser is the first step to more robust programming available to veterans at MOH.
“We're doing something a little different this year,” Klobuchar said. “Instead of it being a ‘veterans get in free’ type of event, it's a fundraiser to raise money for our Veterans Committee. The idea is that money will build up over time, and the events will get bigger, and the artists will become more well-known. Before you know it, we'll have another Jim Gaffigan onstage.”
This year’s entertainment will include the South Shore Orchestra led by Troy Webdell, a speech from members of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the premiere of LimeLights Youth Theater’s “Snapshots.” Klobuchar is especially thrilled to have the Sons of the Union representatives at the event.
“Those gentlemen have been meeting at the MOH since the building's conception,” she said. “They are a huge part of who we are, and we want to make sure that we involve them every time we do anything for veterans. The relationship we have with these gentlemen is unique, and it should be developed. We want to make sure that they feel as welcome to be in our space as the staff and the patrons do.”
Regardless of whether you’ve attended MOH’s Veterans Day performances before, there is certain to be something that captivates every audience member this year. Whether it’s the orchestra’s musical medley, LimeLights’ new program, the speeches from veterans, or the promise the Veterans Committee has to reinvigorate MOH’s veterans-based programming, make sure to get out to the theater on Veterans Day.
“Between LimeLights the Civil War vets, South Shore Orchestra, and three of Memorial Opera House’s top vocalists, we’re very much looking forward to providing a different type of entertainment to our veterans this year,” said Klobuchar.
In addition to supporting MOH’s Veterans Committee, the funds raised from the Veterans Day performance will also go to support America’s Gold Star Families and the families who had to stay behind while their veterans went to war.
“Veterans care just as much about their service as they do about their families. Those are the two things that matter the most to them, so we need to give back not just to them in one way in the event but at the same time give back to their families,” Klobuchar said. “We're really excited to make sure that we bring programming that is all-encompassing. It's not just about the veterans – it's about their families.”
Tickets for the Veterans Day performance are available for purchase online at MOH’s website. The performance will take place on Veterans Day, November 11, at 8 p.m.
In addition to its programming for veterans, Memorial Opera House hosts a variety of shows from musicals to stand-up comedy. To view the venue’s full programming including what’s currently playing or to learn more about the opera house’s history, visit memorialoperahouse.com.
