Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017 MinotDailyNews.com • Facebook • Twitter
Arts & Culture
THE SHOW GOES ON BY ALLAN BLANKS • Staff Writer • ablanks@minotdailynews.com
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Minot Summer Theatre continues to sparkle after decades of entertainment With 52 years of showstopping entertainment, Minot Summer Theatre continues to be a premier attraction for Magic City audiences. Submitted Photo
From producing character twists to the gunslinging To this day, great seating accompanied by an intilove story “Oklahoma,” directed by Minot artist Chad mate theater experience remains Minot Summer TheGifford, the comical de force title “Noises Off,” directed atre’s gold standard. by Minot State University alumnus Joe Koppinger, to With the success of “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Damn artists of various crafts and disciplines continue to show Yankees,” Minot Summer Theatre became an instant ata relentless desire to capture the hearts, minds and imag- traction for families, couples and theater afficionados. inations of area theatergoers. After garnering praise from Minot-area theatergoers, Paving the way for these courageous artists were rev- Aleshire and Turner began setting their sights towards a olutionary founders Harold Aleshire and Thomas grander stage. Turner, who created Minot Summer Theater in 1966. Due to the demand for more seating and the deAt the time of Minot Summer Theatre’s conception, structive presence of wind storms, Turner and Aleshire Aleshire was the devised a plan chairman and prothat would meet fessor of Minot the growing State University’s popularity of Division of Husummer theater manities while while counterwww.minotstateu.edu/theatre/summer.shtml Turner was a facing the outdoor ulty member of in elements prethe Department of Communication Arts. sented by the wind. Between the innovative duo, Aleshire and Turner In 1970, the summer amphitheater came into fruition created an ingenious brand of theater that continues to thus ushering a new era for Minot’s stand the test of time. theater scene. With just over a half century of live entertainment, Following their groundbreaking the late Aleshire and Turner redefined Minot’s creative expansion, was a wave of aspiring landscape by featuring iconic plays “Damn Yankees,” performers seeking an opportunity “Bye Bye Birdie” and a hosts of other popular hits that to perform on Minot’s newest stage. celebrated cultural expression ranging from Americana Neuharth, an acting stand-out to world musicals. with an affinity for theater, reWhile Aleshire and Turner are the masterminds of flected the excitement felt by a new summer theater, Minot State University students, fac- generation of performers. ulty and community members play the role of architects. Soon, the future “Face of SumChoreographer Kena Davidson, accomplished direc- mer Theatre” earned the attention tor Connie Gilseth, music director Kari Files and up and of Turner, who saw the promise coming actor J’Kobe Wallace are some of the local tal- and passion held by the MSU stuents who contribute to the exciting legacy of Minot Sum- dent. mer Theatre. Under the tutelage of Turner, Another name synonymous with Minot Summer Neuharth’s talent continued to Theatre is Kevin Neuharth. flourish and by 1980, Turner entrusted his protege Nicknamed “The Face of Summer Theatre,” with the Minot Summer Theatre. Neuharth once said, “If it weren’t for an audience, we To honor the legacy of Aleshire and Turner, couldn’t go on.” Neuharth shared their vision with directors ConFifty-two years ago, Aleshire and Turner, embarked rad Davidson and Mark McQuade, alongside acon a transformative journey, that reshaped the Magic tors Jeff Arlt, John Weninger and rising talents City. Grace Chermak, Chris Burch, Peg Morris and a Prior to 1966, summer theater in Minot was just a hosts of many notable performers. thought. In addition to welcoming the talents of new diPossessing an eye for talent and a gift for listening, rectors and promising actors, Neuharth’s growing Aleshire alongside Turner gave Minot audiences what list of plays expanded the roles for MSU students they’ve been cheering for. as well as Minot-area children and adults with theWith the collaboration of various MSU departments, ater aspirations. the summer of ‘66 revolutionized theater in Minot. Today, Minot Summer Theatre remains a preUnder a large tent coated by multi-colored ribbons, mier attraction for families, theater buffs and astheatregoers found their seats and discovered the piring performers. pageantry of Broadway’s “Bye Bye Birdie.” Entering 52 seasons of top-tier entertainment, For Turner and Aleshire, providing theater in the audiences have seen the best talents of Minot and summer time was only the beginning of their extraordi- abroad perform Broadway hits “Godspell,” “Little Shop nary plan. of Horrors,” “Oklahoma,” “Noises Off” and countless celThe two titans of summer theater aspired to change ebrated classics. the perception and presentation of popular plays. Under the new direction of Aili Smith, theatergoers In an effort to create a connection between the audi- can anticipate the combination of fresh energy and the ence and the performers, simplicity became the primary continuation of outstanding performances. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Alice in Wonderfocus of Aleshire and Turner. Instead of promoting elaborate decor and ample seat- land,” “Wizard of Oz” and “Rock of Ages” will be the ing, Aleshire and Turner wanted each guest to have a featured shows provided by the Minot Summer Theatre. To learn more about Minot Summer Theatre, visit clear view of the stage while experiencing an intimate connection to the set design and characters of the play. online at www.minotstateu.edu/theatre/summer.shtml.
MAIN: Founded on the principles of great seating and an intimate view of the performance, the summer amphitheater has featured live performances by the Minot Summer Theatre since 1970. ABOVE: Actors prepare for their Minot Summer Theatre production of “Oklahoma,” in 2016.
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ABOVE: In 1966, founders Harold Aleshire and Thomas Turner hosted the Minot Summer Theatre’s debut performance, “Bye Bye Birdie,” inside their theatre tent, which seated 200.
Submitted Photos
ABOVE MIDDLE: Wind storms are a common occurrence during Minot’s summer months. Due to the dangers posed, the theatre tent was replaced by the summer amphitheater in 1970. ABOVE BOTTOM: Actors rehearse “Damn Yankees” for their 1966 Minot Summer Theatre performance.