Why should I care?

The companies and individuals producing storefront opera and other smaller-scale concerts, song cycles, and events, are all part of a diverse ecosystem. The world-class soloists you see at the Lyric didn't simply appear out of thin air - they were trained, they performed on smaller stages, sang in ensembles and choirs, understudied, and eventually found themselves where they are now. Storefront opera is a crucible where new talent is growing, where existing talent can express itself in innovative ways, and where storytellers can take the risks they can't with larger organizations.
These productions tend to operate on minuscule budgets compares to the major production houses. These are products of passion and a bit of an endangered species in the performance art scene. Every ticket sold, every mention you make of these shows and companies, every dollar donated makes an enormous, existential difference to these artists and our community.