3 minute read
Volunteers Run the Show
By Jo Dee Black
The Rialto Community Theatre in Deer Lodge, Montana, offers a 485-seat venue for cinema, community concert series, comedian performances, student holiday programs and more.
Entertainment that can be enjoyed with a $7 jumbo-sized buttered popcorn.
It’s only possible thanks to about 60 volunteers who do everything from operating the sound and lights to taking tickets and running the concession stand.
NorthWestern Energy’s Bambi Mattila, an energy scheduler, has served popcorn and candy to movie-goers at the Rialto for about 10 years.
“The theater is a big thing for our community, it’s important because of its historical value and also provides activities,” said Bambi, who lives in Deer Lodge and works for NorthWestern Energy in Butte.
“Concession proceeds are what pay the bills, the utilities, the insurance,” said Rialto Community Theatre President Steve Owens. “Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist.”
Built in the Beaux-Arts “Movie Palace” architectural style in 1921 and listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the Rialto was owned and operated by one family until 1995. The nonprofit Rialto Community Theatre organization acquired the building, transforming it into a regional performing arts venue while maintaining it as a safe venue for children to gather, learn and be entertained.
A massive fire of undetermined origin severely damaged the Rialto on Nov. 4, 2006. The ornate terra cotta façade, projection booth and stage area with six original 1921 backdrops were saved by three fire departments. It took about five years and $3.5 million from more than 4,000 donors to restore the Rialto, which reopened in May 2012.
Today most students in Powell County, where Deer Lodge is located, perform on the Rialto’s stage in school music concerts and programs. The Rialto hosts the annual Rotary talent show, community fundraisers and workshops, as well as weekend movie showings.
“We are a bright spot on Main Street,” Steve said.
Concessions are a bargain by any measure, offering soda, candy, flavored water and, of course, popcorn. “We use real butter,” Steve emphasizes.
NorthWestern Energy’s Employee Volunteer Program makes donations to organizations in recognition of our employees’ volunteerism.
The Rialto has received donations due to Bambi Mattila’s volunteer work for several years.
“I try to work concessions at least once a month. It’s a chance to see people from town,” Bambi said. “When kids’ movies are showing, we are the busiest and that’s probably my favorite time to be there.”
NorthWestern Energy is also contributing $1,000 to the Rialto’s effort to raise about $150,000 to convert the theater’s stage lights to LEDs.
“LEDs are energy-efficient and versatile,” Steve said. “Today crews have to put lenses on the hot stage lights to change the color and be careful so that we don’t have burned fingers. The LED lights are multi-colored and change automatically. We’ve raised about $60,000 so far.”
Learn more about the Rialto Community Theatre’s performance schedule, as well as information on renting the venue and how to make a donation at www.deerlodgerialto.com.
NorthWestern Energy contributed $2.1 million to the 404 communities we serve in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska in 2023. Learn more about NorthWestern Energy’s Charitable Giving programs at NorthWesternEnergy.com/Grants.
