While it’s commonplace for bigger cities to have outlets for the arts, small towns have a harder time keeping the arts thriving.

Unless you’re the people of Mound City, Mo.

The Northwest Missouri town of roughly 1,100 people is home to the State Theater, the city’s artistic institution that will be capping off its 20th anniversary season this weekend with the community production of “You Can’t Beat The House.”

The play’s plot centers around a pair of burglars breaking into a house that’s for sale, forcing them to figure out a way to break out when prospective buyers show up.

“They have trouble leaving,” says Jonathan Miller, president of the Stat Theater Arts Council. “It’s just kind of a comedy of errors, and it’s just really pretty funny.”

The State Theater’s 20th anniversary season has featured a variety of acts ranging from a Johnny Cash Tribute, the Delaware Valley Brass and the Southern gospel group Gold City. But Miller says ending with a production put on entirely by members of the community is the best way to bring the season to a close.

“It’s been some time since we’ve done some community plays,” Miller says. “This year in our 20th anniversary, we really got back to our roots.”

The State Theater’s roots are deep in Mound City. It served as an old movie house in the 1930s, but the building closed and time took its toll. The city contemplated tearing it down until a group of Mound City citizens formed a not-for-profit group to save and restore the theater in the late 1980s.

And it’s these volunteers who are the driving force behind the State Theater’s 20-year existence.

“I can’t stress enough that we’ve been able to maintain the type of programming that we are able to do on a small budget with strictly volunteers,” Miller says. “...which lends itself to the community and how dedicated the community is to the cause.”

The appreciation for the State Theater has not been lost on board member Linda Boultinghouse, and in her opinion, it also hasn’t been lost on the people of Mound City.

“I think people really care about this theater,” she says. “I think people just realize what a treasure we have here.”

“You Can’t Beat The House” is playing at 7 p.m. tonight and March 28 at the State Theater, 510 State St., Mound City, Mo. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, call (660) 442-5909