Table of Contents
Photo by Sage Studios: Season 73, The Game’s Afoot
A LETTER FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Greetings Friends,
Welcome! And thank you for being a part of our worlds in Season 78!
Twenty-five years ago, in the fall of 1999, the Black Hills Playhouse started the process of creating the Children’s Theatre Company of South Dakota, an outreach of the Black Hills Playhouse. My wife Debra and I took on the leadership of that endeavor and began creating and implementing a touring children’s theatre to engage communities throughout the state. This program is now called Dakota Players and is part of the BHP Family of Programs. Each residency, we go into a community, hold auditions, cast up to 50 kids in the show, rehearse for five days and, at the end of the week, put on a show. Since its inception, we have performed 831 residencies, approximately 33,240 kids have participated, and approximately 132,960 people across the state have seen one of our productions. That’s impressive.
We’ve continued to grow our program offerings. This summer will be the sixth year of BHP Jr., where we have provided young people with the opportunity to be part of a week-long sleep-away theatre camp. Students receive guidance and instruction from industry professionals, and over the week they learn about theatre, dancing, singing, acting, rehearsing, and working tech as they build towards a performance on the last day.
Our Sioux Falls-based Expanding Stage programming is simply magical. Since 2013 we have partnered with LifeScape on many productions that are accessible to children and adults with disabilities, and also inclusive of those without disabilities. And for several years we have worked with the clients of DakotAbilities to provide an outlet to let their creativity flourish in a way that most of them have never had the opportunity to do: as an actor on stage! Joe Dvorak, Director of Day Services at DakotAbilities stated, “There is literally a glow that comes off of the group of actors after a play. Their smiles and those of their friends and family light up the room.”
The work we do is so empowering, and this is in addition to the wonderful work we do right here in Custer State Park, our home since 1946. So, thank you once again for being here and supporting the Vision and Mission of the Black Hills Playhouse!
Dan Workman
Artistic Director
Dan Workman
VISION
The Black Hills Playhouse will create inclusive performing arts experiences as South Dakota’s leading professional and educational theatre.
MISSION
The Black Hills Playhouse delivers exceptional theatre programs that engage diverse people and strengthen South Dakota communities.
Linda Anderson Executive Director
Linda Anderson
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
What makes a good season? It is the question we are always asking of ourselves as Dan Workman does the research to put together the best season possible before making recommendations. There are so many things to weigh–what will be exciting, challenging, and fun for our audiences and company, and what productions will tell important stories or bring attention to issues our community faces.
And then, the administrative concerns–What investment in the season can we make and be fiscally responsible? What shows work best with our limited housing capacity and sewer system? What are issues the theatre world faces that might affect our hiring ability? What are the expectations from Game, Fish, & Parks regarding improvements to the campus? How does this program balance with the needs of all of our other educational programs? What is changing in the world that might affect our bottom line and the pocketbooks of our donors and patrons? What are the best ways to engage people to support our cause? Our staff and board of directors spend considerable time each year puzzling out the best answers to these questions.
This season we will work with talented artists from all over the country to produce four fantastic shows. In addition, we are bringing awareness to important issues: the power of laughter to heal and sustain us (The Play That Goes Wrong), environmental impacts to our water systems (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), the impacts of human trafficking and prostitution (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), and the challenges of parents in caring for neurodivergent children and the obstacles these children face as they grow up (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).
We are fortunate to have a thoughtful board of directors, generations of patrons and funders who invest regularly and value our work, and an amazing staff who truly believe in the power of theatre to change the world. Thank you for coming to our shows and being a part of our team. We are grateful!
You have a life of rewarding experiences in art, music or theatre ahead of you. Pursue your passion at the University of South Dakota. With music concerts, theatrical performances and art gallery exhibits right here on campus, the College of Fine Arts offers you a space to showcase your talents while developing skills that will set you up for success in our 21st century economy.
Explore the possibilities at usd.edu/fine-arts
What We Believe
VISION
The Black Hills Playhouse will create inclusive performing arts experiences as South Dakota's leading professional and educational theatre.
MISSION
The Black Hills Playhouse delivers exceptional theatre programs that engage diverse people and strengthen South Dakota communities.
VALUES
• INCLUSION: Theatre is an integral part of the human experience and needs to be accessible to all. We embrace shared humanity, in order to experience transformation through theatre.
• ARTS / COMMUNITY IMPACT: Arts are impactful vehicles for social, civic, cultural, and educational engagement and vital to the growth of dynamic communities.
• RELATIONSHIPS: Strong, deep, and meaningful relationships are key to sustainability and extend the reach of the BHP mission.
• SUSTAINABILITY: Responsible management, strategic planning, and engaged teams are essential to the success of the Black Hills Playhouse.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The Black Hills Playhouse is committed to creating theatre that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes the human experience in all its diversity. We seek to collaborate with, employ, share the stories of, and engage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to foster a healthy environment for opportunity and growth through the power of performance art.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Black Hills Playhouse acknowledges that we are on the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne and Oceti Sakowin people. These lands, water, and waterways are the unceded territories and the homeland of the Lakota, the Dakota, and the Nakota Nations. The Playhouse is committed to reflecting the continued legacy of all of the original peoples of South Dakota.
Photo by Sage Studios: Season 77, Silent Sky
Photo by Sage Studios: Season 74, Sherwood:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
SEASON AT A GLANCE SCHEDULE KEY –>
Wrong - The Play That Goes Wrong Mermaid - Disney’s The Little Mermaid Best - The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Curious - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Scan to learn about the power of laughter
Scan to learn about environmental impacts to our water systems
Scan to learn about the impacts of human trafficking and prostitution
Scan to learn about neurodivergence, autism awareness & resources for families.
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA...
On behalf of the University of South Dakota, welcome to the Black Hills Playhouse and thank you for your support of the arts. USD is a proud partner of the Playhouse, sharing a vision for celebrating and promoting creativity, community and artistic growth in South Dakota.
At its humble beginnings, the Black Hills Playhouse was a dream – a USD theatre professor’s vision to offer professional theatre experiences in the rural Midwest while growing opportunities for theatre professionals and students. The organization has since grown into a pillar of the arts in the state; together, the USD College of Fine Arts and the Black Hills Playhouse deliver enriching fine arts experiences and educational opportunities that establish South Dakota as a destination and home for artists.
We are excited that you are here to experience the beauty of South Dakota theatre and hope you enjoy this season at the Black Hills Playhouse.
Sheila K. Gestring
Sheila K. Gestring President, USD
A LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
On behalf of the Black Hills Playhouse board of directors, our professional staff, and company of artists and technicians, I welcome you to the BHP and thank you for joining us in Custer State Park for today’s performance.
The natural wonders of this location include majestic pine trees, a gentle stream and, just a short walk away, Center Lake, all of which make this site an unique setting for both creating and experiencing theatre. While bison, turkey, deer, opossums and raccoons regularly roam or skitter through camp, hawks, eagles and bats soar overhead. Add the refreshing aroma of pine and this place of work and “play” takes on a magical quality. Annually, the BHP company, comprised of seasoned professionals and emerging student artists, arrives from all corners of the U.S. Once here, they may, as I do on each visit, rediscover a connection to nature, a relationship that can nurture the soul and influence art and craft.
“Doc” Warren M. Lee, the founder of the BHP (1946), recognized the special quality of this environment and the potential role it could play in unifying a community of artists. We are so proud that seventy-eight years after the BHP’s founding, its mission of providing excellence in artistic and educational programming continues in beautiful Custer State Park. Enjoy the show!
Board of Directors
The Black Hills Playhouse Board of Directors volunteers time to set the strategic direction of the organization, to raise funds, to help with physical plant projects, and to work through committees to assist staff. Their time and dedication to the Playhouse means a great deal and we are grateful for all they do.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Eric Hagen
Professor Emeritus of Theatre University of SD Minneapolis, MN President Erin Goetzinger Works in home, former legislative aide to Senator Tom Daschle
Rapid City, SD President Elect
Dr. Bruce Kelley Dean, College of Fine Arts University of SD Vermillion, SD Advisor
Corey Brown Vice President Government Relations - Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD Chair, Legislative Task Force, Lease Negotiation
Joe Williams Storyboard Artist, Host of 5 Plain Questions Podcast Plains Art Museum Fargo, ND Secretary
Rick Giesel Retired, former CEO Regional / Sanford Health
Rapid City, SD Chair, Physical Plant Committee
Mark Meersman Compliance and Business Integrity Officer VA BH Health Care System
Rapid City, SD Past President
Betsy Groves Lamont Enterprises, Whitewood Partnership Rapid City, SD Treasurer
FROM THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA...
I want to personally welcome you to the Black Hills Playhouse and the marvelous Warren M. Lee Theatre. We are excited about this year’s season! The BHP staff and volunteers have worked hard to create a safe and enjoyable experience which will enable you to view the best of live theatre with South Dakota’s Black Hills as an exquisite backdrop.
The USD College of Fine arts prepares students for a life of amazing and rewarding experiences in art, music, and theatre. Our vibrant campus is active with music concerts, theatrical performances, and art gallery exhibitions. The arts and culture sector annually contributes $1.3 billion to the state’s economy, representing 2.1% of South Dakota’s GDP and more than 13,000 jobs. More importantly, the arts allow us to express the meaning of our experiences and understand and interpret our world.
The USD College of Fine Arts is a proud partner with the Black Hills Playhouse. Together, we combine creativity and knowledge to make a difference for our world.
Bruce Kelley Dean, College of Fine Arts, USD
Ride the Cyclone, Fall 2023
By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe Oct. 24 –27, 2024
By Sarah DeLappe
Book by Joe Tracz and Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Nov. 22 – 24 and Dec. 5 – 8, 2024
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan Apr. 10–13, 2025
Wayne S. Knutson Theatre
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Whitnee Coy
Learning Specialist
Black Hills Special Services
Rapid City, SD
Ron Jeffries
General Manager Central States Fair & BH Stock Show
Rapid City, SD
Charolyn Mize
Retired Educator and paint wizard at the BHP Campus
Spearfish, SD
Jaime Norton Dentist
Massa Dental
Hot Springs, SD
Raimondo Genna
Chair and Assoc. Professor USD Theatre, Coordinator of BFA Studies
Vermillion, SD
Holly Knox Onboarding Nurse Educator
Monument Health
Rapid City, SD
Carrie Moore Owner
Jenny’s Floral Custer, SD
Stephanie Rissler
Communication Manager SD Health Care Association, Chair, SD Game, Fish, & Parks Commission, Vermillion, SD
Tom Geu
Retired Professor and Dean Emeritus
USD Knudson School of Law
Vermillion, SD
Deb Kuehn
Certified Family and Neonatal Practitioner
Black Hills Pediatrics
Monument Spearfish Pediatrics Clinic
Rapid City, SD
Carissa Naasz Teacher
RC Catholic School System
Rapid City, SD
Anjelica Sasse
Compensation Analyst, Black Hills Energy
Rapid City, SD
Mandie Weinandt
Director of Center for Teaching & Learning
Instructor Beacom School of Business University of SD Vermillion, SD
Sara Southwood Human Resource Professional Lander, WY
Cynthia Robertson Homeschool Educator / Former Public School Teacher
Rapid City, SD
EDUCATION STAFF
Eric Whitcher
Pennington County Public Defender
Rapid City, SD
EDUCATION STAFF CONT.
Deb Workman Education Director
Erin Wegleitner Education Outreach Coordinator
Jack Bledsoe Program Coordinator
Chloe Kamp Tour Actor/Director
Hadley Evans Nash Tour Actor/Director
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
From Mischief, Broadway masters of comedy, comes the smash hit farce. Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!
15 PERFORMANCES. TEENS 13+ / ADULTS
Show Title Sponsor
Mr. Genna appears through the generosity of Tim and Frances Becker
Raimondo
Genna Director, The
Goes Wrong
Play that
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Raimondo Genna
I want to let you in on a little secret that theatre folks know all too well, something almost always goes wrong in a play. That can happen during the process of mounting the play, from the initial vision and design phase—something that is planned doesn’t work out and then the team needs to modify the plan to adjust and move forward. Sometimes it happens during the rehearsal process— sometimes you need to recast two major characters right before the show opens. Sometimes it happens during the performance—sometimes someone doesn’t show up for their entrance in Julius Caesar in a scene that they are the focus and the folks on stage need to improvise Shakespeare for about five minutes, before said actor arrives just in time to deliver the last line in the scene. Or when the light board freezes mid-show, and the light board operator must calmly walk to the back of the audience where the backup lightboard is living and reboot the show. One of the things that makes theatre magical is not its flawless execution but our (hopefully successful) ability to mask the flaws and pretend that they were all intentional. For me, these moments are always the ones that last with me as a theatre maker. I don’t always remember when the play went as planned, but almost always when the play goes wrong and how the actors, designers, and technicians create the illusion that everything is fine, and we meant to do that.
Director Raimondo Genna
Scenic Designer Christopher George Haug
Costume Designer ...............................................................................................................................................Sara Curran Ice
Lighting Designer ................................................................................................................................................ Tyler J. Micheel
Stage Manager .................................................................................................................................................. Veronica Torres
Sound Designer Connor von Rentzell
Technical Director Christopher George Haug
Assistant Technical Director Carter Voorde
Head Carpenter Carroll LaClair
Carpenter Intern ...................................................................................................................... Max Fairman, Lance Coppedge
Stagecraft Intern...................................................................................................................... Krystyna Colocho, Josie Hoskins
Head Electrician ...................................................................................................................................................... Raimar Ortiz
Production Engineer Scott Mollman
Sound Engineer /Assistant Head Electrics Connor von Rentzell
Electrics Intern Bertha Panashe Sithole
Properties Ky Madison
Properties Intern .................................................................................................................................................... Aryn Marshall
Charge Painter .................................................................................................................................................... Fallon Podrazik
Scenic Painter .................................................................................................................................................... Taury Himmerich
Costume Shop Manager Christina Olson
First Hand/Cutter/Draper Amber Marisa Cook
Stitching Interns Bernice Poulter, Carter J. Brown, Haley Brown
CAST
Chris Bean ........................................................................................................................................................ Chandler Murray
Robert Grove Neil Peltier
Dennis Tyde Alexander Horn
Max Bennett ......................................................................................................................................................... Skyler Weaver
Annie Twilloil Dee Dee Martin
Sandra Wilkinson ............................................................................................................................................................ Tori Ann
Jonathan Harris Joseph DiBiase
Trevor Watson Kaden Hopkins
Stage Crew ........................................................................................................................................................ Copeland Lewis
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields
This production is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd. For Mischief Worldwide Ltd.: Directors: Mark Bentley, Jonathan Burke, Henry Lewis, Kenny Wax Executive Director: Jo Danvers Marketing Manager: Harry Lockyear Production & Administrative Assistant: Minoli De Silva
Exclusive Agent for Literary Rights: Nicki Stoddart, United Agents LLP, London For information about all Mischief works, please visit www.mischiefcomedy.com
The Mischief Production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG was originally produced on the West End Stage by Kenny Wax & Stage Presence and on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J.J. Abrams, Kenny Wax & Stage Presence
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG was first presented by Mischief Theatre under the title The Murder Before Christmas on December 4th, 2012, at the Old Red Lion Theatre in London
JUNE 30–JULY 14
DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab, to restore order under the sea.
15 PERFORMANCES. MATINEE ON JULY 4TH. ALL AGES / FAMILIES
Show Title Sponsor
Emily Cherry Oliver Director, Disney’s The Little Mermaid
DISNEY’S
THE LITTLE
MERMAID DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the enchanting world of Disney’s The Little Mermaid in The Black Hills! We invite you to embark on a journey filled with wonder, love, and unforgettable characters. And join us as we imagine what could be and take you to a realm where mermaids sing, sea creatures dance, and Ariel can find her voice.
This story has withstood the test of time beginning as a beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale, revived by Disney, and now created on the stage. The power of theatre is what first attracted me to this musical. Collaboration with our incredible production team allowed for us all to explore how to turn the stage into the Sea and our actors into fish! It is here that the creativity and talent of our designers, choreographer, music director and actors really combine to create an unforgettable production.
At its core, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a story about the power of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Join Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, and a host of beloved characters Under the Sea at the Black Hills Playhouse!
Emily Cherry Oliver
Director .........................................................................................................................................................
Emily Cherry Oliver
Music Director Vonnie Houchin
Choreographer Megan Gerlach
Scenic Designer Victor E. Shonk
Costume Designer. Amber Marisa Cook
Lighting Designer .............................................................................................................................. Christopher George Haug
Stage Manager .............................................................................................................................................. Caitlyn Nordeen
Sound Designer. .......................................................................................................................................... Connor von Rentzell
Technical Director Christopher George Haug
Assistant Technical Director Carter Voorde
Head Carpenter… Carroll LaClair
Carpenter Intern Max Fairman, Lance Coppedge
Stagecraft Intern...................................................................................................................... Krystyna Colocho, Josie Hoskins
Head Electrician ...................................................................................................................................................... Raimar Ortiz
Sound Engineer /Assistant Head Electrics ............................................................................................... Connor von Rentzell
Electrics Intern Bertha Panashe Sithole
Properties Ky Madison
Properties Intern Aryn Marshall
Charge Painter Fallon Podrazik
Scenic Painter .................................................................................................................................................... Taury Himmerich
Costume Shop Manager .................................................................................................................................... Christina Olson
First Hand/Cutter/Draper .........................................................................................................................Amber Marisa Cook
Stitching Interns Bernice Poulter, Carter J. Brown, Haley Brown
CAST
Ariel
Sarah Grosse
Ursula Emily Wirkus
Prince Eric Mical Grace
King Triton Alexander Horn
Sebastian Romell Johnson III
Scuttle ................................................................................................................................................................... Joseph DiBiase
Grimsby ....................................................................................................................................................................... Neil Peltier
Flotsam Ambroja Ferguson
Jetsam Magdalen Eberle
Flounder Penny Stevens
Ensemble Skyler Weaver, Neil Peltier, Copeland Lewis
Ensemble Continued Magdalen Eberle, Emma Taylor, Tori Ann, Romell Johnson III, Ensemble Continued ................................................ Kaden Hopkins, Dee Dee Martin, Grace Engstrom, Ambroja Ferguson
The Black Hills Playhouse production of DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright | Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements | Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions | Orchestrations by Danny Troob, Incidental Music and Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kosarin | Dance Arrangements by David Chase | Disney’s The Little Mermaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
THE BEST LITTLE
WHOREHOUSE
IN TEXAS
Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Carol Hall’s bawdy-but-wholesome crowd-pleaser skewers pretension, celebrates life and touches the heartstrings. This raucous, red-blooded, hilarious musical comedy about a “Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” took Broadway by storm and continues to enthrall audiences worldwide.
15 PERFORMANCES. TEENS 16+/ ADULTS
Show Title Sponsor
Egla Hassan
Director, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS DIRECTOR’S NOTE
People are all the same. We don’t always look the same. Obviously, we don’t always see things in the same way, but we are all the same. To simply survive, we all need air, and water and food, and shelter. Until these basic needs are met, we can concentrate on nothing else. After basic survival, humans search for other things, like safety, love, belonging, and at some point, we aim for ways to be contributing members of a society and for ways to give back to the world.
I am not a sociologist, but I do remember studying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a theory that divides our needs into the category of deficiency and growth. Basically, stating that until our deficiencies are met, we are unable to grow into what would be considered a higher being—while one is still struggling for food and air, shelter, creativity are impossible to attain.
Egla Hassan
As I look at The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and its characters, I laugh at their shenanigans, and I empathize with their situations. I do not judge them. Instead, I see people trying to meet their basic needs which brings them in conflict with others who seek belonging and acceptance.
Whether from South Dakota or from Texas, whether you grew up in a city or on a farm, whether you are a lawyer or a mechanic, you are like the characters in this play. Maybe you would not be caught at the Chicken Ranch, but you would be actively seeking ways to meet your needs.
Ms. Wintersteen appears through the generosity of Jenny’s Floral
Director Egla Hassan
Music Director Vonnie Houchin
Choreographer Emily Wirkus
Scenic Designer ...................................................................................................................................................... Kathy Voecks
Costume Designer .......................................................................................................................................Amber Marisa Cook
Lighting Designer ........................................................................................................................................... Nadirah T Harper
Stage Manager Veronica Torres
Sound Designer Connor von Rentzell
Technical Director Christopher George Haug
Assistant Technical Director Carter Voorde
Head Carpenter ....................................................................................................................................................Carroll LaClair
Carpenter Intern ...................................................................................................................... Max Fairman, Lance Coppedge
Stagecraft Intern...................................................................................................................... Krystyna Colocho, Josie Hoskins
Head Electrician Raimar Ortiz
Sound Engineer /Assistant Head Electrics Connor von Rentzell
Electrics Intern Bertha Panashe Sithole
Properties Ky Madison
Properties Intern .................................................................................................................................................... Aryn Marshall
Charge Painter .................................................................................................................................................... Fallon Podrazik
Scenic Painter .................................................................................................................................................... Taury Himmerich
Costume Shop Manager Christina Olson
First Hand/Cutter/Draper Amber Marisa Cook
Stitching Intern Bernice Poulter, Carter J. Brown, Haley Brown
CAST
Mona Stangley Carolyn Wintersteen
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd Jeff Kingsbury
Jewel / Ensemble .......................................................................................................................................... Ambroja Ferguson
Melvin P. Thorpe ................................................................................................................................................... Dan Workman
The Governor of Texas / C.J. Scruggs / Ensemble .................................................................................................... John Kirk
Doatsy Mae/Dulcie Mae / Ensemble Copeland Lewis
Imogene / Dawn / Ensemble Sarah Grosse
Linda Lou / Ensemble Kassi Blue-Scates
Ginger / Ensemble Magdalen Eberle
Shy / Ensemble ....................................................................................................................................................... Emma Taylor
Angel/Ensemble ................................................................................................................................................ Grace Engstrom
Mayor Rufus Poindexter / Senator Wingwoah / Ensemble .................................................................................. Neil Peltier
Aggies/Ensemble Skyler Weaver, Romell Johnson III, Kaden Hopkins, Joseph DiBiase
Aggies/Ensemble Continued Mical Grace, Alexander Horn, Chandler Murray, Ambroja Ferguson
MUSIC
Piano 1 ................................................................................................................................................................Vonnie Houchin
Piano 2 ........................................................................................................................................................ Meredith Meersman
Bass Lon Schnittgrund
Drums Alan Temple Fiddle Tammy Schnittgrund
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
By Carol Hall, Larry King, and Peter Masterson
Originally produced on the New York stage by Stevie Phillips in Association with Universal Pictures. | Originally produced by Actor’s Studio | THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
Adapted by Simon Stephens
A 15-year-old has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Having never ventured alone beyond her neighborhood, the teen distrusts strangers and detests being touched. Now it is 7 minutes after midnight, and Chris stands beside a neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Under suspicion of the murder, the teen is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and carefully records each fact of the crime. But the detective work, forbidden by Chris’s father, takes this extraordinary teen on a thrilling journey that turns their world on end.
8 PERFORMANCES. TEENS 13+ / ADULTS
Matt Nesmith Director, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Matt Nesmith
Show Title Sponsor
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I am ecstatic to be back at the BHP for my 9th season to direct the visually and emotionally stunning play A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time! Based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Mark Haddon in 2003, Simon Stephens adapted Haddon’s work for the stage in 2012 for England’s National Theatre. Since then, it has been performed worldwide, dazzling audiences with its intimate, honest, heart-breaking and hilarious portrayal of a child, Chris, who takes it upon themself to investigate the killing of a neighbor’s dog, only to uncover much deeper, personal secrets in the process.
Chris experiences the world and behaves in ways that are outside of societal conventions for “normal.” Chris could accurately be described as neurodivergent, defined by Harvard Health Publishing as “…the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”
Our production of A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time invites the audience to explore the inner world of a young person on a quest for love, truthfulness, and understanding like everyone else and for whom experiencing the world differently than others is their normal. It challenges us to re-think how we perceive and accept others and to celebrate the differences in each of us.
Mr. Matthys appears through the generosity of All American Siding and Windows and USA Roofing
Director Matt Nesmith
Scenic Designer ................................................................................................................................................. John Paul Devlin
Costume Designer ............................................................................................................................................... Christina Olson
Lighting Designer Stephen M. Azua
Projection Designer Brittany Powell Merenda
Stage Manager Caitlyn Nordeen
Sound Designer Connor von Rentzell
Technical Director .............................................................................................................................................. John Paul Devlin
Assistant Technical Director .................................................................................................................................. Carter Voorde
Head Carpenter ....................................................................................................................................................Carroll LaClair
Carpenter Intern Max Fairman, Lance Coppedge
Stagecraft Intern Krystyna Colocho, Josie Hoskins
Head Electrician Raimar Ortiz
Sound Engineer /Assistant Head Electrics ............................................................................................... Connor von Rentzell
Electrics Intern ......................................................................................................................................... Bertha Panashe Sithole
Properties ................................................................................................................................................................... Ky Madison
Properties Intern Aryn Marshall
Charge Painter Fallon Podrazik
Scenic Painter Taury Himmerich
Costume Shop Manager .................................................................................................................................... Christina Olson
First Hand/Cutter/Draper .........................................................................................................................Amber Marisa Cook
Stitching Interns ................................................................................................ Bernice Poulter, Carter J. Brown, Haley Brown
CAST
Christopher John Francis Boon Emma Taylor
Mr. Ed Boone Michael Matthys
Mrs. Judy Boone ................................................................................................................................................. Lisa Wipperling
Siobhan .................................................................................................................................................................... Emily Wirkus
Voice One: Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne, Woman on Train, Shopkeeper ................................................................. Tori Ann
Voice Two: Roger Shears, Mr. Wise, Duty Sergeant, Man behind Counter, Drunk On Neil Peltier
Voice Three: A Policeman, Mr. Thompson, London Policeman, Man with Socks, Drunk Two Alexander Horn
Station Policeman, Station Guard Chandler Murray
Voice Five: No. 37, Lady in Street, Information, Punk Girl Dee Dee Martin
Voice Six: Mrs. Alexander, Posh Woman .................................................................................................... Ambroja Ferguson
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME A play by Simon Stephens Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was first presented by the National Theatre, London at the Cottesloe Theatre on August 2nd 2012 and transferred to the Gielgud Theatre, West End, London on March 12th 2013. The Play opened in the USA at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 5th 2014.
This Play is presented by kind permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment
ACTING COMPANY BIOS
Tori Ann
Tori Ann is a recent graduate from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her BFA in Theatre Performance. Favorite credits include Tess Moffat in Blue Stockings, Sandra/Florence Colleymoore in The Play That Goes Wrong, Muriel Earhart in The Aviator, Ensemble in Living in the Light, Ali in Mamma Mia!, and Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web. Tori Ann also spent her previous spring semester in New York where she worked as the Stage Manager for the Greenhouse Ensemble Theater. She is thrilled to be spending her first summer with The BHP, and is excited to learn from professionals in the field!
Sandra/Florence Colleymoore The Play That Goes Wrong, Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Voice One The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Kassi Blue-Scates
Kassi has been a yearround staff member for the BHP for over two years and is over the moon to be making her performing debut this season. She grew up attending shows at the Playhouse every summer and can’t believe how lucky she is to work, and now perform, here. Kassi was most recently in Fiddler on the Roof this spring in Rapid City. She would like to thank her family, especially her husband Liam, for their constant love and support.
Linda Lou/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Joseph DiBiase
Joseph is thrilled to be joining the BHP company for the Summer 2024 season! He has just graduated from WVU with a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Technical Production. Joseph has a passion for learning as he has also obtained 6 AA’s certificates, and awards from Moorpark Community College. Some of his favorite past credits include: Noel Gruber (Ride the Cyclone), Hanschen (Spring Awakening), and Lord Pinkleton (Cinderella). Thank you to the cast and crew for their work, and to his family and partner for their support.
JosephDiBiaseOfficial.com
Charles Haversham The Play That Goes Wrong, Scuttle/Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Magdalen Eberle
Magdalen is thrilled to be making her BHP debut. Originally from Connecticut, she is a new graduate from Augustana University earning a double major in Theater and ASL Interpreting. Recently she played Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone on the Augustana main stage. She wants to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continued support.
Jetsam/Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Ginger/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Grace Engstrom
Grace Engstrom is very excited to be making her Black Hills Playhouse and professional debut! She is currently earning her BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Minor at the University of South Dakota where she will be a junior in the fall. Some of her favorite credits include Susan in tick tick...BOOM!, Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, Ensemble in The Musical of Musicals, and Assistant Stage Manager for As You Like it and Bat Boy the Musical
Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Angel/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Ambroja Ferguson
Ambroja Ferguson is a Texas girl, born and raised, who moved to the Big Apple to pursue her passion in Theater. In 2022, she graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and has since worked professionally. Some of her work inculdes: Funikijam: City of Hope Off-broadway, Sylvia in Our Christmas Dinner, interactive theatre work, and regional performances as Shirelle in Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. Ambroja is excited to perform at the Black Hills Playhouse this summer!
Flotsam/Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jewel/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Voice Six The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mical Grace
An aspiring young actor who is taking steps to perform on Broadway someday. Theatre is his passion and he’s happy to share it with anyone who will listen!
Prince Eric Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Sarah Grosse
Sarah is thrilled to be returning to the BHP stage this summer as a Disney princess! Originally from New Orleans, she is a recent Musical Theatre graduate of the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University. Past Playhouse credits include Janet Van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (awarded “Best Performer in a Musical” in the BroadwayWorld South Dakota Regional Awards) and Margaret in 9 to 5. Endless love and thanks to God, her family, and friends!
Ariel Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Dawn/ Imogene/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Kaden Hopkins Kaden is a sophomore acting student at USD, and some of his favorite roles he’s played have been: Touchstone in As You Like It, The Amazing Karnak in Ride The Cyclone, and Ken in Rumors
Trevor The Play That Goes Wrong, Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Alexander Horn
Alex Horn joins BHP for the first time this summer! Professional credits include Virgil & Others in Violet (TheatreSquared) and Friar/Seacoal/Vocalist in Much Ado About Nothing (Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre). Collegiate credits include Michael in God of Carnage, The Mastiff in The Moors, Ricky in Ride the Cyclone, Songs for a New World, Leaving Iowa, Heathers: the Musical, etc. He holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Arkansas and is an MFA Acting Candidate at Western Illinois University.
Dennis/Perkins-The Play That Goes Wrong, King Triton Disney’s The Little Mermaid,
Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Voice Three The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Romell Johnson III
Romell is very excited to make his debut on the BHP stage this summer, especially in one of his favorite shows Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Originally from New Orleans, he is a current Musical Theatre Major at Southeast Missouri State University. This summer you can see him as Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and in the ensemble of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Enjoy the Show!! Please feel free to follow his Instagram @romell.johnson3
Sebastian/Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Jeff Kingsbury
Mr. Kingsbury has appeared in over 200 plays and musicals throughout his career. He is a Black Hills Playhouse favorite, having played some of his most cherished roles. At the top of the list, Jeff cites Man In Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone (twice), Morrie in Tuesdays With Morrie, Lurch in The Addams Family Musical, and Frankie Cavalier in Pageant. Jeff is the Director of Development for the BHP. He is extremely passionate about creating prosperity for the Playhouse.
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
John Kirk
SDSU Theatre Alum and Former coal miner, John is now in his 2nd season with BHP and he couldn’t be happier. John plays the Governor and C. J. Scruggs in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. John made his Black Hills Playhouse debut as Underling in last summer’s smash hit, The Drowsy Chaperone
Governor/Scruggs The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Copeland Lewis
Copeland Lewis (she/they) is absolutely thrilled to be making her debut at the Black Hills Playhouse. Some of Copeland’s previous roles consist of: The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Holofernes in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Columbia in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Copeland would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for all of their continued support to help them get to this point in their career. Copeland is endlessly grateful for the opportunity to perform and is extremely excited to perform in such a beautiful place. copelandlewis.com
Stage Crew The Play That Goes Wrong, Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Doatsy Mae The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Dee Dee Martin
Dee Dee Martin (she/her/ hers) is a rising junior at the University of Northern Colorado. She grew up right here in the Black Hills and attended the BHP Jr camps every summer. The BHP Jr camps helped to ignite the love of theatre in not only Dee Dee, but in kids across the region. She encourages you to visit www.blackhillsplayhouse.com and click donate to allow other children the opportunity to experience the joys of live theatre. You may recognize Dee Dee from BHP’s 2023 season where she played Margaret (Silent Sky), and Kathy/ensemble (9 to 5).
Annie The Play That Goes Wrong, Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Voice Five The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Michael Matthys*
Michael is happy to return to BHP after starring as John D’Agata in last year’s The Lifespan of a Fact. An AEA actor for over 30 years, Michael has performed at the Guthrie, Laguna Playhouse, the Ahmanson (CTG), Ensemble Theatre, LA Shakespeare Festival, CV Rep, Rubicon, Sierra Rep, and many more, including six seasons with A Noise Within Some favorite roles include Treplev, Mercutio, Oberon, Dr. Treves, and Albany. Film: Stan the Man, House of Deadly Secrets, Full Blast. TV: Grey’s Anatomy
Ed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of actors and stage managers in the United States.
Chandler Murray
Chandler Murray is a recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University where he received his BFA in Theatre Performance with a focus in acting. Some of his most notable credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Peter and the Starcatcher (Peter), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck), Newsies (Crutchie), Cabaret (Texas), and more! Chandler would like to thank his family and friends for all their support in his journey!
Chris/Inspector Carter The Play That Goes Wrong, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Voice Four The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Neil Peltier
Neil is excited to return to the Black Hills Playhouse for his second year. Last summer, Neil worked as a carpenter for the season, but is back this summer as an actor. He is a recent graduate of Augustana University, and although he was born and raised in Sioux Falls, he couldn’t be happier about being west-river this summer!
Robert/Thomas Colleymoore The Play That Goes Wrong, Grimsby/Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Senator/Mayor/ Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Voice Two The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Photo: Black Hills
Penny Stevens
Penny lives in Rapid City and will be a freshman at Central High School in the fall. When she was 11 years old she was thrilled to be chosen for the role of Matilda in the Black Hills Community Theatre production of Matilda, the Musical. She has subsequently played Cousin It in the BHCT production of The Addams Family Musical. Penny enjoys participating in all sorts of theater camps and programs including Cherry Street Players where she was JoJo in Seussical. She also plays the cello with the Black Hills Suzuki School and was recently accepted into the Central High School Chamber Orchestra. Penny is so excited and honored to be a part of a show at the legendary Black Hills Playhouse and thanks everyone involved for giving her the opportunity.
Flounder Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Emma Taylor
Emma Taylor is excited for her first season at Black Hills Playhouse! Emma recently completed her sophomore year studying acting at the University of South Dakota. Previous roles include Duke Senior/ Corin in As You Like It, Lena in The 146 Point Flame, and Specs in Newsies
Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Shy/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Chris The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Skyler
Weaver
Skyler ecstatic to make my Black Hills Playhouse debut in the 2024 season. He is currently studying music education at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. Some other works he’s done are Goat in the Robber Bridegroom, Beleaguered Geek in Heathers, and Pete/Steve in Almost, Maine
Max/Cecil Haversham/Gardener The Play That Goes Wrong, Ensemble Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aggie/Ensemble The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Carolyn Wintersteen
Carolyn Wintersteen was last seen at the BHP in The Lifespan of a Fact. Carrie is a founding member of Theatre B in Fargo-Moorhead, where her performance credits include The How and the Why, The Roommate, Hamlet, Wit, Becky’s New Car, Vino Veritas, the one-woman show I Will Not Go Gently, and many others. She has performed with the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, and Commonweal Theatre, as well as the Minnesota and Boulder Fringe Festivals.
Mona The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Lisa Wipperling
Lisa Wipperling, MFA (She/Hers) is excited to return to the BHP! Past shows include 9 to 5, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, The Secret Garden, Shrek, She Loves Me, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man and Sylvia! She hails from Western Illinois University as an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. Tours/Equity- And The World Goes Round (Karen Mason), State Fair (Melissa), Calendar Girls (Karin), All Shook Up (Mayor), Airline
Highway (Tanya), Arcadia (Lady Croom), NTC’s A Christmas Carol Nat.Tour ’14-’15 (Mrs. Crachit), NYC Fringe Festival’s In The Ebb. Regional Favorites- Blithe Spirit (Ruth), Richard III (Queen Margaret). Thank YOU for supporting the arts! www.lisawipperling.com
Judy The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Emily Wirkus
Emily is beyond excited for their first summer at BHP! Emily is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at University of North Dakota, where they will also be stepping into the role of Artistic Director and Head of the BFA Musical Theatre program this fall. Some of their favorite credits include Hairspray (Penny Pingleton), Company (Joanne), and Carrie: The Musical (director & choreographer).
Emily holds an MFA in both Acting & Directing from Western Illinois University, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of North Dakota.
Ursula Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Siobhan The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Dan Workman
Dan Workman is very happy to return to the BHP for another summer. Since his first summer at the Black Hills Playhouse in 1990, Dan has performed in more than 50 productions on this stage. His most recent performance was in 2022 as Oscar in The Odd Couple. Some of his favorite shows include Guys and Dolls, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Tuesdays with Morrie. Dan loves that his wife Debra, and his three kids, Dylan, Satchel, and Preston have all been a part of the Black Hills Playhouse.
Melvin P. Thorpe The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Midco® proudly supports the Black Hills area community, from the arts at the Black Hills Playhouse to keeping you connected and entertained. Enjoy the show!
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DIRECTORS AND DESIGNERS BIOS
Stephen M. Azua
Stephen is returning to the BHP for his 18th season with the company and his very first season as production manager. He is excited for new challenges alongside the familiar position of lighting designer, this year for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Past light designs at the BHP include Silent Sky, The Lifespan of a Fact, Steel Magnolias, Tokens of Affection, Grease, and The Boys Next Door. In the off season Stephen works at East Los Angeles College as the performing arts technician, educating students on how to be successful in technical theatre, as well as designing lights for select productions.
Lighting Designer The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Emily Cherry Oliver
Emily is delighted to be returning to the Black Hills Playhouse. At the BHP she has directed 9 to 5, Mamma Mia, The Game’s Afoot, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Addams Family Musical, Shrek and Boeing Boeing and performed as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, and as Lily in The Secret Garden. Emily is currently professor and chair of theatre at the University of North Dakota.
Director Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Amber Marisa Cook
Amber is delighted to be returning to the Playhouse for a 12th season! She is the Coordinator of Design and Technology for the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast MO State University. Her costume and scenic design work has taken her to many professional and academic theatres around the country, including Off-Broadway, and she is the author of a book on digital textile design. She is a proud cat mom of two and delighted to spend another summer with her colleague and husband Chris Haug.
Costume Designer Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
John Paul Devlin
John Paul Devlin is a Professor of Fine Arts at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont; he is happy to be returning to the BHP for his 14th season after 7 years away. John has been the resident designer and production manager at the Saint Michael’s Playhouse since 2002. He has also designed for Lost Nation Theater, Moonbox Productions, Vermont Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Northern Stage, and The Milwaukee Repertory Theater among others. He has been very involved with the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. He lives in Bolton, VT with his wife Carol (also a BHP alum)—her continuing support makes his career in the arts possible. This one is for Patrick and Kat.
Scenic Designer The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Raimondo Genna
A practicing theatre director for over 30 years, Dr. Raimondo Genna is the Theatre Department Chair and Associate Professor at the University of South Dakota. Outside of USD, Rai is an amateur photographer, an ardent reader of sequential art narratives, and is thrilled to join the BHP this summer!!!
Director The Play That Goes Wrong
Megan Gerlach
Choreographer/ director/actor based in NYC. Credits include Theatreworks/USA, Adelphi University, Forestburgh Playhouse, Black Hills Playhouse, New York Film Academy, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Favorite roles include: (Judy) A Chorus Line (Bass Hall) and (Bonnie) in Anything Goes (Chanhassen Dinner Theatre). Megan graduated with degrees in Dance and Theatre from the University of Minnesota/Twin Cities.
Choreographer Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Nadirah T Harper
Nadirah T Harper, a lighting designer born in Chicago and based in Atlanta, graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2021. Her return to the Black Hills Playhouse marks her first since her second internship there in the same year.
She is thrilled to illuminate the BHP stage with a design of her own. Nadirah’s portfolio includes credits for productions such as She Kills Monsters, Fairycakes, A Christmas Story, Blues in the Night, New York State of Mind, New Jack City Live, and Urinetown. Nadirahtharper.com.
Lighting Designer The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Egla Hassan
Egla Birmingham Hassan retired from Western Illinois University and is now a freelance director who continues to look for opportunities to collaborate with a production team in telling stories that introduce audiences to characters and ideas that illuminate the human condition. Over time, Egla has directed many plays in the literary canon, but she is intrigued by newer works (ones written in the last decade) that tend to defy the old rules of analysis. She continues to seek opportunities to give life to them. Hassan is currently a member of the Joseph Jefferson Award Committee in the city of Chicago, where she gets the opportunity to see and to comment on a variety of professional theatre productions. She is honored to be back at Black Hills Playhouse for another season.
Director The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Christopher
George Haug
Chris is excited to be back at the BHP with so many wonderful thespians, collaborators, and friends. It is an awesome experience to bring the fun and wonder of the stage to the hills, and to work with so many talented students, professionals, and educators. Chris is an Associate Professor of Theatre Design & Technology for the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance at Southeast Missouri State University.
Lighting Designer Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Scenic Designer The Play That Goes Wrong
Vonnie Houchin
Vonnie is ecstatic to be at the Playhouse once again working with old and new favorites!! Previous Playhouse credits include 9 to 5, Drowsy Chaperone, Cinderella, Something Rotten, I Love You, You’re Perfect,
Now Change, and more! An active music director in Rapid City finds Vonnie working at BHCT (The Addams Family Musical, Sister Act), Seraphim (Godspell, Gentleman’s Guide), First Baptist Church, and Dynamix Acapella Chorus. Vonnie hopes you enjoy every part of your Playhouse experience—it’s a magical place!
Music Director Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Musician The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Sara Curran Ice
Sara is an Assistant Professor of DesignCostume Design at the University of New Mexico. She has a BA from Illinois State University and an MFA from the University of California, Irvine. She is excited to be back at The Black Hills Playhouse. She is a member of USITT and Motion Picture Costumers Local 705.
Costume Designer The Play That Goes Wrong
Brittany Powell Merenda
Brittany is an awardwinning projection designer working in theatre, opera and dance throughout the country. Favorite designs include Coraline,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elf, The Musical, Newsies, Spongebob and Matilda, (The Rose Theater), Magic Flute and La Bohème (Jacksonville Symphony, Cleveland Opera Theatre), Come Home Gala (The Washington National Opera), Macbeth (Opera Tampa), Carmen (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival), and Tosca (Opera Grand Rapids). Brittany received her Masters of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida.
Projection Designer The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Meredith Meersman
Meredith is eager to join her friends for another season at the BHP, specifically in the pit for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She is the Music Minister at First Presbyterian Church RC and has most recently been Musical Director for BHCT’s Fiddler on the Roof and Indecent at the Catalyst Theater. Meredith is eager to begin a new music chapter; her desire to create her own music beckons! Meredith really enjoys fiber artistry, doing deep dives into whatever is her current passion, and is hoping to snag an accordion to learn at home where she will test the love of her husband Mark, her son Collier, and her Chihuahua, Daisy.
Musician The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
THE DAHL ART CENTER
Tyler J. Micheel
Tyler is excited to be back in the Black Hills! This past year he started his position as the Assistant Professor of Lighting and Sound at the University of South Dakota. Prior to that he was at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville as a Lighting and Sound Instructor. Tyler is excited to be back in the region working with the passionate and artistic students at the Playhouse and USD.
Lighting Designer The Play That Goes Wrong
Scott Mollman
Scott is a Professor of Theatre, the Coordinator of the Design/Technology Program, Production Manager, and Technical Director at the University of South Dakota. He has served as the Production Manager and/or Technical Director for more than 400 productions in total at the Omaha
Matt Nesmith
Matt is beyond excited to return to the BHP for a 9th season! Matt is an associate professor and Coordinator of the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program at the University of South Dakota. His BHP directing credits include Urinetown: The Musical, Young Frankenstein, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and To Kill a Mockingbird BHP performance credits include Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, Archibald in The Secret Garden, and the Sherriff of Nottingham in Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Director The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Christina Olson
Returning for her 10th season, Christina is tickled pink to take on another summer managing the costume shop and designing costumes for The Curious Incedent of the Dog in the Night-time. Previous costume designs at the BHP include The Lifespan of a Fact, The Odd Couple, Sherwood, and Tokens of Affection. Christina lives in Los
Angeles freelancing as a costume technician in academic and professional theatre, film/ TV, and dance productions.
Costume Designer The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Lon Schnittgrund
Lon is happy to be playing music with great people and thrilled to be back at the Playhouse for his fourth season. Past BHP performances include The Marvelous Wonderettes, Cinderella, Something Rotten and 9 to 5. This is also his first time playing in a pit with his sister, Tammy. He plays regionally in the band, Corduroy Vinyl
Musician The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Tammy Schnittgrund
Tammy Schnittgrund has taught and conducted orchestras in the Rapid City area since 1996. In addition to teaching nine- and ten-year-old kiddos how to play stringed instruments at Pinedale Elementary, she also conducts the
orchestras at Stevens High School and SD Mines. She previously served as principle second violin in the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony String Quartet. She’s excited to play in her first show at the Black Hills Playhouse!
Musician The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Victor E. Shonk
Victor E. Shonk is an Associate Professor at the University of South Dakota, teaching the scenic design curriculum. Victor is a freelance scenic designer who has worked in many states across the nation designing theatre, television, and opera. Disney’s The Little Mermaid marks Vic’s tenth season with the BHP. His designs at the BHP include: Spamalot, Shrek, Moonlight and Magnolias, Pageant, Nunsense, Oklahoma!, Sideshow, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and The Odd Couple. He is a proud member of U.S.A., local 829.
Scenic Designer Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Alan Temple
Alan is excited to return to the Black Hills Playhouse for his 5th season. He is currently in his 23rd season as a percussionist with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and plays in his church praise team. He is also a member of the Rockin’ Wranglers Fort Hays show. Alan was a percussionist in the musicals Side Show, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Cinderella, Something Rotten, and 9 to 5 at the BH Playhouse. He retired in 2019 from the Ellsworth Air Force Base engineering division working in project management for 35 years. Alan and his wife Debbie have two daughters, Rachel and Brittany.
Musician The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Kathy Voecks
Kathy Voecks has been designing for over 25 years, with sets for theatres including The Black Hills Playhouse, The Blue Barn Theatre, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, The Omaha Theatre Company, and The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre. She currently teaches in the Jeanine Larson
Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University; previously she was a faculty member at Kansas State University. She’s also a scenic artist, props artisan and sometime projection designer. Kathy holds an MFA in scenic design from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Scenic Designer The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Connor von Rentzell
Connor von Rentzell is excited to be returning to BHP for their second season. Connor is a junior B.F.A. Theatre Design and Technology major with an emphasis on Lighting and Sound Design at the University of South Dakota originally from Osmond, Nebraska. Last season, Connor was the sound designer for The Lifespan of a Fact and the electrics intern for the season. Some of Connor’s favorite credits include being the lighting designer for Bat Boy: The Musical, The Inexplicable Chaos Factor of Mia Gregory, and As You Like It, as well as the sound designer for Ride the Cyclone, Ada and the Engine, and tick, tick... BOOM!
Sound Designer The Play That Goes Wrong, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Emily Wirkus
Emily is beyond excited for their first summer at BHP! Emily is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at University of North Dakota, where they will also be stepping into the role of Artistic Director and Head of the BFA Musical Theatre program this fall. Some of their favorite credits include Hairspray (Penny Pingleton), Company (Joanne), and Carrie: The Musical (director & choreographer). Emily holds an MFA in both Acting & Directing from Western Illinois University, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of North Dakota.
Choreographer The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
PRODUCTION STAFF BIOS
Stephen M. Azua
Production Manager
See bio in Designers/ Directors
Carter J. Brown
Stitcher Intern
Carter is an aspiring costume designer, with a passion for constructing costumes that are longlasting and leave an unending impression. He is thrilled to be a part of the company at Black Hills Playhouse, as this is his first professional debut as a costumer. He wants to thank his family and friends for the constant support and love that made this dream come to fruition, and to his fiancee Ana, for being the best part of life.
Haley Brown
Stitcher Intern
Haley Brown is a BFA student studying costume design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has worked on several shows at her college including, Big Fish, The Flick, Stop Kiss, and many more. Haley is excited to be joining Black Hills Playhouse this season and hopes you enjoy the show.
Krystyna Colocho
Stagecraft Intern
Krystyna is excited to be part of the Black Hills 2024 season. During this season
Krystna will be a stagecraft intern. She attends East Los Angeles College as a theater major with a background in architecture and art. Previously this year she
has attended KCACTF at both the regional and national level. Now she is a national award winner in scenic design.
Amber Marisa
Cook
Cutter/Draper
See bio in Designers/ Directors
Lance Coppedge
Carpenter Intern
Lance is a student at Southeast Missouri State University’s Dobbins Conservatory, where he is studying Theatre Design and Technology. With a resume of 40+ shows, he is excited to get his first opportunity to work in a professional theatre at the Black Hills Playhouse.
John Paul Devlin
Technical Director
See bio in Designers/ Directors
Max Fairman
Carpenter Intern
Max Fairman is a carpenter from Papillion, Nebraska. They just graduated from the University of South Dakota.
Christopher
George Haug
Technical Director
See bio in Designers/ Directors
Taury Himmerich
Scenic Artist
Taury Himmerich is returning to the Black Hills Playhouse (BHP) for their second year helping out with the painting as a Scenic artist. The last show Taury helped paint was the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s rendition of The Tempest as charge painter. Taury has also been a painter/charge on UNK’s Lucky Stiff, Gaslight, and Silent Sky. She will be looking forward to jumping into the colors and techniques for this first show and can’t wait to see where the summer will head.
Josie Hoskins
Stagecraft Intern
Josie Hoskins is an incoming sophomore undergraduate student at SEMO working towards a BFA in Design/Technology and a BA. This is Josie’s first time joining the Black Hills Playhouse company and she is looking forward to collaborating with others.
Carroll LaClair
Head Carpenter
Carroll is excited to return to the Black Hills Playhouse and fill the role of head carpenter. He has recently completed his sophomore year at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he is a theatre major.
Ky Madison
Head Props
This is Ky’s second season with the Black Hills Playhouse. They were the Properties Lead in 2022 and had an amazing time. Originally from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, they are beyond ecstatic to be back in South Dakota and to see all of you lovely people! They are so excited to share in the magic of this theatre with you all and hope you enjoy the show!
PROUD TO SUPPORT BLACK HILLS PLAYHOUSE
Aryn Marshall
Props Intern
Aryn Marshall, a tech and design major at Southeast Missouri State University, is joining the Black Hills Playhouse for her first summer as a props intern.
Caitlyn is thrilled to be making her Stage Ronni Calvird Agency Inc Ronni Calvird, Agent 43 N 6th St, Custer (605) 673-4492 ronnicalvirdagency@amfam.com
Caitlyn Nordeen
Stage Manager Intern
Managing debut at The Black Hills Playhouse!
A recent graduate with a BA in Dramatic Media, Caitlyn has found incredible artistic fulfillment in stage management, acting, and film-making. She is very excited to continue to develop her craft and make art alongside the talented BHP family this summer!
Christina Olson
Costume Shop Manager
See bio in Designers/ Directors
Raimar Ortiz
Head Electrician
Raimar is a recent graduate from West Texas A&M University, originally from San German, Puerto Rico. During his time at WT, he was Lighting Designer for She Kills Monsters and Associate Set Designer for Rumors. He is excited to be joining the Black Hills Playhouse for his first season as Head Electrician.
Fallon Podrazik
Charge Artist
Fallon Podrazik is a 1st year MFA student studying scenic design at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She has been designing professionally in
St. Louis for the past two years and hopes to continue to grow as a designer and collaborator.
Bernice Poulter
Stitching Intern
Bernice Poulter (she/her) is so glad that she gets to work with the Black Hills Playhouse as a stitching intern this summer. Bernice is entering her senior year at Kansas State University as a theatre major. Her favorite shows she has worked on include In The Next Room, The Vibrator Play, and The Fantastics!
Bertha Panashe
Sithole
Electrics Intern
Bertha is a senior BFA Theatre: Design and Tech major at Southeast Missouri State University, also pursuing TV/Film and Interior Design minors. She is from Zimbabwe and is thrilled to join the renowned Black Hills Playhouse for her first internship. Working with such talented individuals is an honor. With extensive experience in electrics work at her university, she’s keen to learn more and further develop her skills in this dynamic environment. Here’s to a summer of creativity, collaboration, and unforgettable performances!
Veronica Torres
Stage Manager Intern
Veronica Torres is delighted to be the stage manager for the Black Hills Playhouse for the very first time. She has previously been the stage manager for Electricidad and the assistant stage manager for Faith. She is finishing her certificate in stage management at East Los Angeles College.
Connor von Rentzell
Sound Engineer/Assistant Head Electrics See bio in Designers/Directors
Carter Voorde
Assistant Technical Director
Carter graduated last year from Augustana University with a B.A. in Theatre and now has the dual role of Technical Coordinator for Student Events & Engagement and Technical Director of the Theatre department at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris). At UMN Morris, Carter organizes the technological requests for events on campus and oversees a crew of students that help set up and run the events, as well as supervising the construction of theatre productions.
WE WANT TO INVEST
Linda Anderson Executive
Director
Believes art is an economic driver for vibrant communities. Fixer and builder. Musician. Always ready for a challenge--the bigger, the better. Knows theatre transforms lives and the importance of access for all.
Lydia Benesh
Customer Service Intern
Lydia Benesh is a rising sophomore at Augustana College, majoring in Theater and Business Administration. Originally from Mount Vernon Iowa, Lydia discovered her love for theater at five years old. Since then, Lydia has also discovered a passion for facilitating theater for others and is so excited to further that passion as this season’s Customer Service Intern. She’d like to thank BHP for this opportunity, her family and friends back home for their support, and you for being here! Enjoy the show!
Liam Blue-Scates
Customer Service Manager
Liam hails from Canvey Island, England, which is located just outside of London. He may be a familiar face to Rapid City theatergoers, having performed in Fiddler on the Roof, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, and Dracula this past year. Liam is so happy to be a part of the wonderful Black Hills Playhouse company and staff. Thank you to all of our board, staff, patrons, donors, and supporters.
Victoria Feigert
Customer Service Intern
Victoria is a student at Virginia Tech, studying to become a librarian. Her love of theater comes from parents who worked in technical theater (set building and carpentry) when she was young, bringing her to “build days.” She is very excited to be a part of the Black Hills Playhouse this season!
Ashly Gunderson
Customer Service Intern
Hello! My name is Ashly and I am a theatre major at Wayne State College. I’m
from a very small town in Iowa. I love theatre and it is my passion, I hope theatre is always a part of my life. After my time at Wayne I hope to move on to grad school to get my mfa and become a professor of theatre!
Brian Ortiz
Head Chef Brian has been in love with culinary arts since he was a child and has been cooking in professional kitchens since he was 15, and a Chef at 21. He is excited to spend his third summer at the Black Hills Playhouse providing the creative direction and execution of meals for the BHP Company.
Darryn Witt
Physical Plant Manager Just recently returned to the area after a 30-year career with the National Park Service, Darryn has a passion for the forest. Super-skilled and enthusiastic about service, the BHP Company and audiences rely on Darryn to help keep buildings, grounds, and equipment in working order.
DOWNTOWN CUSTER
Black Hills Playhouse 2024 Sponsors
78TH SEASON SPONSORS
Theatre is an expensive venture and our incredible sponsors help offset the costs of productions, personnel, and royalties making it possible to keep ticket prices lower for audiences. We are grateful for their support and dedication to the Playhouse.
5000+
American Family Insurance/Ronni Calvird Ronni is a longtime supporter of the Black Hills Playhouse. This year, she stepped up in a big way to sponsor Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Nationally, American Family Insurance consistently uses marketing dollars to support a variety of non-profits. We’re thankful to Ronni and American Family Insurance for their support of the arts.
Aspen Pine Realty -The Black Hills Playhouse was pleased to welcome Aspen Pine Realty in Custer as a new season sponsor for our 77th season. With years of experience helping local buyers and sellers just like yourself, they know how to locate the finest properties and negotiate the best deals. It’s their job to know about the latest market conditions, government regulations, and upcoming developments — so that you don’t have to.
BankWest Title Sponsor BANKWEST KIDS GO FREE - Since 2012, BankWest has been dedicated to our ” Kids Go Free” program with sponsorship earning the bank the title of “Vision Sponsor” for their ongoing commitment. Helping communities achieve financial success is a primary focus of Charles Burke III and his team. With BankWest helping the Kids Go Free program, thousands of kids and their families have had an opportunity to attend live theatre at the Black Hills
Playhouse. Burke’s father played an integral part in finding a home for the BHP by helping Doc Lee scout a suitable location in Custer State Park. BankWest continues the tradition of getting people to the BHP 76 years later.
Tim and Frances Becker have a history of supporting the arts throughout the Hills, as well as social service non-profits. Their commitment to investing in the entire cultural makeup of the Black Hills is unparalleled. Our thanks go out to the Beckers for becoming a full-season sponsor this year and joining our Leadership Circle!
Black Hills Energy is proud to be a BHP sponsor in 2024. BHE has been as a sponsor of our season for decades, has donated to our education programs, and has supported various capital efforts. Black Hills Energy serves 1.3 million customers in eight states through its mission of improving life through energy. Black Hills Energy and the Black Hills Playhouse are two of the oldest continuous businesses in the region. The BHE energy motto, Better Together, is especially true for the BHP!
Black Hills Oral Surgery - For the past 2 summers, BHOS has been a full-season sponsor! We’re happy to welcome them back If you need dental implants, bone grafting, tooth extraction, jaw surgery, cleft palate or lip surgery, or a host of other oral surgical procedures, Black Hills Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center provides the special care and services you need. Their team of highly qualified specialists will take care to make your experience as efficient and comfortable as possible. The partners recognize that supporting the community is a responsibility that they embrace.
Black Hills Pioneer / Seaton Publishing Company, Inc
A family-owned media company serving the Black Hills region, they operate the Black Hills Pioneer (established in 1876–the oldest business in West River), The Weekly Prospector, and Nation’s Center News. They have a large production and printing department available to produce logos, business cards, invitations, posters, and are the printer for the Black Hills Playhouse Playbill. Reviews by Mary Garrigan of BHP shows are printed in the Black Hills Pioneer, appear on bhpioneer.com, and are distributed to papers across the state.
Scot and Mary Hoscheid - When Scot and Mary retired from their jobs in Iowa and decided to make a lovely cabin near Custer their home, they sought out
organizations to support. Having attended the Playhouse as young adults, they have sponsored the summer season for a number of years as a way to show their support for the BHP and surrounding communities. They were part of the crew that helped on Annual Cleanup Day and have volunteered at fundraisers. This year, they adopted one of our housing units and did a complete makeover! Friends like these are the best!
Homeslice Media Group - prides itself on developing long-term partnerships with small businesses, large corporations, and people and causes they believe in using every opportunity to elevate clients brand and reputation in the local and national community since 1992.
KOTA Territory - KOTA has been a media sponsor for many years, helping to spread the word about the great BHP Family of programs throughout our region. KOTA is an ABC-affiliated television station owned by Gray Television, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Powder House Restaurant and Lodge - Experience the tranquility of the Black Hills in log cabins, motel-style lodging, or in cozy honeymoon cabins complete with a private hot tub. The Powder House Restaurant has been a regular stop on people’s way to the Playhouse for decades. Look for the old “potato head” BHP logo in stained glass at the entrance and check out the special discounts for patrons of the BH. Attendees can get a 10% discount during the entire season!
$2500+ SHOW TITLE SPONSORS
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company, High Country
• Kahler Financial
• American Family Insurance/Ronni Calvird
• 605 Magazine
2500 + GUEST ARTIST SPONSORS
• All-American Siding and Windows and USA Roofing
• Jenny’s Floral
• Tim and Frances Becker
Leave a legacy that inspires you.
Support the region you love by giving to inspiring organizations and causes.
The Black Hills Area Community Foundation makes it easy to give meaningful gifts that speak to your passions and goals.
• Give a gift of property, investments, cash, estate assets, and more •
Let’s create a plan. bhacf.org | eric@bhacf.org 605-718-0112
243 Founders Park Drive, Suite 102 Rapid City, SD 57701
Giving together, thriving forever.
CARE CLOSE TO HOME
Monument
SERVICES
Primary Care
Comprehensive care for the entire family including prenatal care, infants, children and adults in all stages of life
Visiting Clinics
Specialities include Endocrinology, Heart and Vascular, Podiatry and Orthopedics
Rehabilitation Services
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy
Emergency Department and Hospital Care
Critical Access Hospital offering 24-hour Emergency Room, Inpatient Acute and Rehabilitation/ Transitional Care
Diagnostic Testing Capabilities
Laboratory Services, Imaging including X-ray, CT, Ultrasound, Mammography, DEXA, MRI
Joy Falkenburg, M.D.
Louise Halbleib, D.O.
Monaleze Saini, M.D. Avery Sides, M.D.
Lisa Brown, M.D.
Jaron Miner, D.O.
BHP EDUCATION SPONSORS
Black Hills Energy - is a proud sponsor of BHP Jr. Camps and Dakota Players Touring programs of the Black Hills Playhouse. We welcomed them in 2023 as new education sponsors and are grateful for their support!
Dream Design, International - Hani Shafai and Dream Design Intl, not only care about developing property but care deeply about the people who live in this region. Growing up in war-torn Palestine, Hani learned early the art of adaptability, constant rebuilding, and unwavering faith in what the world could become.
First Interstate Bank - Title Education Sponsor of the Black Hills Playhouse
Dedicated to serving the people of the Great Plains First Interstate Bank is a community bank with locations throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. This great organization has provided incredible support for the BHP for many years.
First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard - First PREMIER Bank offers 16 branches throughout eastern South Dakota. PREMIER Bankcard is the nation’s 12th largest issuer of Mastercard credit cards. Together, the organization employs about 2,000 people and supports nearly 700 nonprofit organizations and events in the state. We are pleased to continue with First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard as education partners with the Black Hills Playhouse.
Hillard Wealth Solutions is sponsoring the BHP Jr. FROZEN Jr. Camp at Placerville this year. Their generous support guarantees that kids get stellar educational performing arts experiences while exploring their personal arts journey.
Janet and Deonne Kahler are known for their strong support of the Children’s Home Society, SDPB, and now the Black Hills Playhouse! They love our Education Programs and the quality of our work onstage. We’re happy to welcome them both to our family of supporters!
Massa Dental - Dr. Don Massa operates a successful practice in Hot Springs. Don has served as a board member of the BHP, a dedicated volunteer, and with his wife Rebecca, a philanthropic leader for the Black Hills Playhouse for many years. Their dedication to youth and the benefits of theatre participation is a source of pride.
Mickey Inbody Charitable Trust is a new sponsor in 2024 to BHP Education! Welcome!
Mike and Georgia O’Connor - Longtime Black Hills residents, Mike and Georgia have a strong commitment to improving lives through their generous giving. This year they joined our Leadership Circle by providing much needed funding for our Expanding Stage program, providing performance opportunities for adults with disabilities. We’re thankful to them for their generosity.
Sage Studios Photography - We are proud to partner with Sage Studios in capturing high quality photos of our productions. With an artistic vision and a love for the arts, Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer Russell Lloyd Jensen has spent the last 21 years refining his craft. A recipient of numerous national awards for his photographs, Russell is a true gem in our community. This year Sage Studios Photography is a sponsor of the BHP Jr. Camp for kids and a guest artist sponsor for the season.
Sheldon F. Reese Foundation - has provided years of support to education programs and capital efforts of the Black Hills Playhouse. This year they are a sponsor of BHP Jr. Performing Arts Camps and supporters of sensoryfriendly performances.
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 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 alumni over the years.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation - The Black Hills Area Community Foundation holds the created quasi-endowed 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 Programs 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
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 Anjelica Sasse, a Compensation Analyst for Black Hills Energy who sits on the BHP Board of Directors, and Monni Karim, a former board members and long-standing member of the Physical Plant Committee.
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.
Dr. Lisa Brown and David Lee Brown - As a former board member of the BHP, Dr. Lisa Brown continues to support programs of the BHP with her husband David Lee Brown. Last season, they generously offered their home for our Dinner With Friends fundraiser.
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. We
Experience | Trust | Results
Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP
has provided a full range of legal services for over 50 years and is one of the largest, most widely known, and highly respected law firms in western South Dakota and a multi-state region
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 - Hani Shafai and Dream Design Intl, not only care about developing property but care deeply about the people who live in this region. Growing up in war-torn Palestine, Hani learned early the art of adaptability, constant rebuilding, and unwavering faith in what the world could become.
Meg and 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. This year, they provided funding and considerable sweat equity to renovate one of our company housing units.
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. Dr. Massa is a continuing sponsor of our statewide Education Programs.
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 the 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 - A former member of the BHP Board of Directors, Eileen has generously supported the BHP for many years, often providing matching funds for our fundraising efforts, as well as contributing significantly when funding is solicited.
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 79 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 Saturday, July 13th of this year during the run of The Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Celebrating the people & places of South Dakota.
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605magazine.com
605magazine.com
The Leadership Circle
In 2022, we launched our new initiative, “The Leadership Circle.”
This special group makes a contribution of $1500 or more per year. This is an influential group who may suggest shows for future seasons, and receive VIP treatment. They pay NO convenience fees if they ask to have them waived, and they will be invited to a special inperson dessert event in the Fall.
Won’t you consider making a contribution of $1500 or more?
We will accept either a one-time donation, or you might consider a monthly recurring donation of $125 or more! You can do this directly online at blackhillsplayhouse.com, or reach out to Jeff Kingsbury at 605-255-4910. The following have joined this elite group as of press time:
Tim and Frances Becker
Todd and Julie Brink
Don and Cherril Brown
Dr. Lisa and David Brown
John and Marci Burdick
Mary Burnett
Christine Chamberlin and Bob Reich
Jon and Wanda Dahlstrom
Meg and Loyd Garrison
Rick and Susan Giesel
Erin and Patrick Goetzinger
Mike and Marnie Gould
Betsy Groves
David and Bonnie Guerre
David Gwinn and Gina Nania
Scott and Melissa Hadorn
Eric and Pris Hagen
Sheryl Hill
Judy and Craig Hodson
Scot and Mary Hoscheid
Deonne Kahler
Janet Kahler
Dennyce and Carroll Korb
Deb Kuehn
Phil Lampert and Sue Knudtson
Kathlene Larsen
Yildiz Lee
Don and Rebecca Massa
Mark and Meredith Meersman
Charolyn Lund Mize and Phil Mize
Anne Mundell
Virginia Nelson
Mike and Georgia O’Connor
Julie Oswald
Margaret Prahl and Tom Patterson
Mark and Jennifer Radulovich
William Rhode and Elizabeth Bryan
Rhode
Andrea Ronning
Eileen Rossow
Chuck and Sybil Rounds
Troy and Alison Schmidt
Peg Seljeskog
Janet Serino
Streeter and Barbara Shining
Susan Sloan
Larry and Pat Thomas
Marlene Tobias
Eric Whitcher and Jess Olson
