Stoughton, WI – October 21, 2024 – The Stoughton Opera House brought in over $3 million in spending to local businesses during the 2023-2024 season. This extra money was spent over and above the ticket price by visitors at restaurants, shops, hotels, and other local establishments, boosting the local economy. A report shared at the Stoughton City Council meeting on October 8 showed the Opera House’s big impact on Stoughton’s economy. Opera House Director Bill Brehm and Development Coordinator Christina Dollhausen gathered the information for the report.

Since reopening in 2001, after 18 years of restoration, the Opera House has been a key part of Stoughton’s culture and economy. Visitors from all over the Midwest come to see performances, bringing more business to local shops and restaurants. Residents also benefit from the positive effects of the Opera House.

“One of the most delightful things about the Opera House is how it elevates our city above other, ordinary small Wisconsin towns. When you sit in the audience for a show and realize that you are only a few blocks from home, watching an international level performer you know how lucky we are to have it here. And it makes a huge difference in the vitality of our downtown,” says Mary-Carel Verden, President of the Stoughton Opera House Friends Association.

Key points from the report included:
● Economic Growth and More Shows: The Opera House has grown a lot since 2007, going from 12 shows a year to over 80. This has brought even more visitors, which helps local businesses.

● Regional Appeal: Visitors from all over the Midwest come to the Opera House, making it an ideal cultural destination.

● Community Investment: The Stoughton Opera House Friends Association (SOHFA), established as a non-profit in 2014, has spent over $500,000 to improve the building, making it safer, more accessible, and preserving its historic features. They also built the Ghost Light Lounge and added live streaming for shows.

The Opera House is a big part of what makes Stoughton special, helping both local businesses and the community thrive.
“Business that the Opera House creates for other Stoughton businesses has always been an important driver of SOHFA’s efforts in support of the Opera House,” says Jonathan Lewis, SOHFA Board Director. “It’s about bringing great talent to a great venue, while also helping grow the arts and business in Stoughton. For me, that’s a big deal.”

The City’s investment has contributed to the ongoing growth of the Opera House and the community. In the near future, the Stoughton Opera House Friends Association plans to expand its endowment fund and kick off a year-end fundraising campaign to support future projects and operations.

“The Opera House is far more than a theater,” says Brehm. “We are an economic engine enhancing the growth of local businesses and establishing Stoughton as an exceptional place to live, work, play, and visit.”