Philanthropy Leaders for the Black Hills Playhouse

BankWest

For more than 130 years, BankWest SD has earned long-term customer relationships by helping their customers and communities succeed while retaining hometown values and roots. BankWest has been a capital and program sponsor for decades and we are grateful for all they do to preserve and promote the arts through support of the Black Hills Playhouse.

Black Hills Playhouse Alumni Association

Since its earliest inception, the BHPAA organized reunions to bring new and old alums together. It has organized and executed several major projects for the good of the BHP including raising funds to build Haberman Hall, producing a fundraiser to buy drapes for the stage, organizing reunions (in 2021 over Zoom!), and, helping to raise funds for the On Our Side project which replaced the aging siding on the Warren M. Lee Theatre, insulating the building for the first time in its history, and re-roofing the building. The BHP is grateful for all of the critical support from alums over the years.

Black Hills Area Community Foundation

The Black Hills Area Community Foundation holds the created quasiendowed Black Hills Playhouse Board Reserve Fund, the Landon Fund, an endowment created in memory of Stephen Landon, a talented scenic designer for the BHP, and a newly created fund in honor of John Wylie by his family. John is the Head of Production Progams at the Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University and a treasured BHP alum . To donate to the BHP Board Reserve, Landon or Wylie funds, please contact Jeff Kingsbury at jeff@blackhillsplayhouse.com or by calling 605 255-4910.

Black Hills Corporation

For decades, Black Hills Energy has supported programs and projects of the Black Hills Playhouse. Many of our capital projects have received a boost from the Black Hills Corp Foundation and we are grateful to Ken Meirose who sits on the BHP Board of Directors as a representative of Black Hills Energy.

Todd & Julie Brink

Todd served as President of the BHP Board of Directors. He and his wife Julie continue to be generous donors to the BHP and we are grateful.

Lisa and David Brown

As a former board member of the BHP, Lisa continues to support programs of the BHP with her husband David.

Jack and Ruth Cannon Memorial Fund of the South Dakota Community Foundation

Jack and Ruth Cannon were longtime supporters of the BHP. Jack wrote reviews of the shows in the Rapid City Journal for many years. They carried on their support after their passing by setting up an endowment fund at the South Dakota Community Foundation that provides funds for our artistic programs annually. Interested in investing in the BHP through an endowment? These funds provide essential support for the BHP Family of Programs. Contact Linda Anderson at 605-255-4910 ext 2 for more information.

Christine Chamberlin and Bob Reich

Christine and Bob are outstanding donors to the BHP and have been for many years.

Custer State Park and SD Department of Game, Fish, & Parks

Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. CSP offers a world of adventure and fun, including family activities like shows at the Black Hills Playhouse. The park includes Sylvan Lake Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge, Blue Bell Lodge, and the State Game Lodge. It has been the home of the Black Hills Playhouse since 1946 and CSP has been a great partner over the years. The SD Department of Game, Fish, & Parks was instrumental this year in helping to repeal outdated legislation regarding the Playhouse related to repair and maintenance and also in advocating for federal funds to help replace our antiquated sewer systems.

Dream Design International

Since 2018, Hani Shafai at Drean Design has supported education programs which benefit kids statewide.

Meg & Loyd Garrison

The Garrison’s have provided significant annual support to the Playhouse for years which has resulted in the growth of innovative statewide arts programs and improvements to the BHP in Custer State Park. Every year this support is kindly matched by the Shell Foundation which increases their donation impact! Do you have a match for donations through your employer? Get in touch with Jeff Kingsbury, jeff@blackhillsplayhouse. com to help facilitate a matching gift.

Bonnie & David Guerre

The Guerre’s had a first date at the Playhouse and continue to honor the BHP with support as they celebrate their union.

Guardians of the BHP

Because our donors are fierce, we have changed the name of Friends of the BHP to Guardians of the BHP. Our guardians are warriors who believe in the positive force of the BHP and support it year in and year out. Our donors, volunteers, board, and staff are a group of can-do folks who know that we can overcome almost anything if we work together. See the ever growing list of Guardians on at blackhillsplayhouse.com and consider joining!

Deb Kuehn

Deb and her family are long-time supporters of the BHP over many years. In 2021 and 2022 Deb went the extra mile by offering to be a matching donor for the Day of Giving. These campaigns raised over $42,000 in 2021 and $65,000 in 2022 thanks to Deb’s generosity and inspiration to other donors. Deb is also a new boad member for the BHP!

Betsy Groves

Betsy serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer and, with her late husband Jason, have supported the Playhouse for many years. Betsy attended the Playhouse as a child and believes in the transformative power of arts in our communities. Betsy was instrumental in raising funds for the BHP in 2022 as a match donor for the Day of Giving Campaign.

Eric & Pris Hagen

Eric has served on the Board of Directors for many years and he and his wife, Pris, generously support many causes at the BHP. Eric and Pris, as former theatre professors at USD, are especially passionate about supporting artists as they are the lifeblood of BHP operations.

Hillard Wealth Solutions

David Hillard has provided annual support for a number of years for the BHP as a season sponsor and attends shows with his family. Community support from our businesses is essential to BHP operations.

Scot & Mary Hoscheid

Outstanding supporters of the BHP, Scot & Mary appreciate the work of the BHP and have supported operations annually as season sponsors and volunteers over many years.

De & Dave Knudson

The BHP is one of many arts organizations which are honored to receive support from this philanthropic couple from Sioux Falls.

Don and Rebecca Massa/Massa Dental

As a former board member, Dr. Don understands the impact of BHP programs statewide. He and his family also support the BHP by purchasing thousands of dollars of tickets as gifts to show their appreciation for people in the community.

Virginia Nelson

During the pandemic, we received support from Ginny for the BHP 5K and she continues to support us with her generosity!

Julie Oswald/Oswald Family Foundation

Julie is a true visionary who believes in the power of arts to strengthen communities. She has supported the BHP for a variety of capital projects, and annually in significant amounts that support programs of the BHP. Julie and her family also own The Custer Beacon which supports many organizations through hosting fundraisers and programming live music.

Powder House Lodge

Over many generations, the Powder House Restaurant hosted patrons on their way to or from the BHP. We are grateful for the full season support they provide each year.

Eileen Rossow

Owner of Perigrine Point Bed & Breakfast and former member of the BHP Board of Directors, Eileen has generously supported the BHP for many years, but most recently as a large donor to the On Your Side Campaign.

Sheldon

F. Reese Foundation

The Sheldon F. Reese Foundation has supported efforts of the Playhouse for many years with generous donations to both capital and program efforts.

South Dakota Arts Council

Support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota through the Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Black Hills Playhouse receives a Challenge Grant and is a recipient of a Statewide Services Grant which provides arts experiences for communities statewide.

University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota has provided support for all 76 years of the BHP existence and employs the Executive Director. The BHP in turn, employs professors and students from USD, takes arts programs to students and families statewide through the Dakota Players Tour programs and BHP Jr. Performing Arts Camps, inspiring future USD Coyotes to study the arts in South Dakota. We are looking forward to hosting a USD Alumni Association gathering on Friday, July 15th of this year during the run of The Drowsey Chaperone!