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All The Park’s a Stage!
Excitement builds for the summer season at Theatre in the Park.
article by Jackie Hostetler
photos courtesy Theatre in the Park/Nicole Scheier
When thinking about the vast amenities of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, one might consider traversing the beautiful terrain at Big Bull Creek Park in Edgerton or saddling up on the equestrian trails at Mill Creek Streamway Park in Olathe or enjoying the inclusive playground at Stilwell Community Park in Stilwell. All are excellent examples of the quintessential park experiences common in Johnson County. But what about the not-so-quintessential park experience? The dazzling. The dramatic. The passionate. In other words, Theatre in the Park.
Shawnee Mission Park, at West 79th Street and Renner Road in Shawnee, hosts one of the most exciting live theater experiences in the area. The park houses a large outdoor amphitheater that is used for five productions held throughout the summer. The theater holds as many as 4,000 patrons, but a typical show sees an average closer to 900 to 1,200 attendees. Stuffy formalities are left at the door when visiting Theatre in the Park; patrons are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and even frisbees to enjoy the show in casual comfort.
Guy Gardner is the associate artistic director for Theatre in the Park; he cites the ease and accessibility of the theater as one of its best assets.
“There are amphitheaters in park systems throughout the country, but Theatre in the Park is one of the few that caters to everyone, in terms of both the performers and the crowd that it draws,” says Gardner.
In the Park
The theater has been in operation within Shawnee Mission Park since June 1980, but outdoor musical theater was alive and well in Johnson County even before then. Antioch Park was the original home to Theatre in the Park, opening its fledgling season in1970 on a humble stage made of board and brick. It quickly became evident that the community craved more, prompting the move to Shawnee Mission Park.
Since the first season in Shawnee Mission Park, there have been a number of additions and improvements, including upgraded dressing rooms, public restrooms, a set construction shop, a technical bunker, concession stand, a permanent box office and an outdoor picnic pavilion.
Even with all the upgrades and amenities, an affordable and accessible theater experience remains a top priority for Theatre in the Park.
Producing artistic director Tim Bair understands the importance of providing a welcoming environment for families on a budget.
“It’s affordable,” Bair says. “Families can afford admission for everyone. Bring your family! Bring your friends! It’s just a nice, welcoming place.”
The theater provides a warm atmosphere for patrons, and the performers are treated to a topnotch theater experience. Each season, almost 100 performers are cast across the five featured shows, and the audition process is nothing short of spectacular. Each spring, for one weekend and one weekend only, hopefuls within Johnson County and surrounding areas prepare a short audition piece, including a little song and a little dance. The production staff and choreography staff for all five shows are present for the audition. After a bit of back and forth among the teams, the callbacks are made. Within just a matter of days, all five shows are cast. And the caliber of performer is high, regardless of whether they are fresh off the plane from New York City or the guy next door.
Careful Selection
“What makes Theatre in the Park special is the scale in which we perform and the quality of performer the show draws,” Gardner says. “In any one show there might be professional actors, a local lawyer, a stay-at-home mom, and six high school students.”
As Theatre in the Park prepares for its upcoming summer season, Bair says they have been particularly mindful in their selections, of not only the cast but also the shows to be presented and the directors who will lead those shows.
“All the shows this summer have strong female characters. Likewise, all the shows have female directors,” Bair says. “When Guy and I realized this, we made a concerted effort to go down that path this season.”
Between directors, cast and crew, orchestra members, and the dozens of other roles involved in producing a successful show, there is no lack of talented and driven people working both in front of and behind the curtain.
In his full-time role as producer and artistic director, Bair is the person who selects shows, coordinates directors, and executes a cohesive vision for the theater. Bair started his journey with Theatre in the Park many years ago as a performer in the 1984 production of Applause. After living in New York City for 15 years and performing around the country, Bair returned to Theatre in the Park in 2010, and it has been his theatrical home ever since.
Gardner, who began in the full-time role of associate artistic director last year, also has a long history with Theatre in the Park. He performed in his first show with Theatre in the Park, Seussical the Musical, in 2005. Gardner spent time traveling the world with touring companies and cruise ships before returning to Theatre in the Park after 2020.
Other individuals who are critical not only to the execution of the productions but also to the day-to-day workings of Theatre in the Park include production manager Sarah Saugier, technical director David Powell and administrative assistant Rachel Rendina.
Among the most important people involved in the success of Theatre in the Park, are, of course, the patrons. Without an audience, there would be no show. The staff of Theatre in the Park and Johnson County Park and Recreation are quick to acknowledge and appreciate patrons’ presence.
Each year, loyal fans are treated to a thank you in the form of a free event called Fun Fest. It’s typically held shortly after the last show of the summer season and provides a range of activities for the whole family. The event kicks off with a 5k run through Shawnee Mission Park, often with a few special guests along the path (think princesses!). The fun continues with games, local vendors, and live performances on stage. Even leashed pets are invited to join in the festivities. Each year, Fun Fest proves to be an amazing end to an amazing season.
As Theatre in the Park approaches its 55th season this summer, the organization is looking forward to welcoming more than 35,000 patrons through the gates, as well as dozens of actors, orchestra members, and crew members. In preparation for the start of the season, Bair and Gardner could not be more enthusiastic for all involved.
“To have such a lovely venue inside such a lovely park—it’s a real asset to the community of Shawnee,” Bair says.
Gardner adds, “We love what we do. We look forward to 55 more years!”
Summer of the Strong Woman
The 2024 summer lineup at Theatre in the Park highlights bold female characters on stage and bold female directors behind the scenes:
SHOW / DIRECTOR / RUN DATES
Bye Bye Birdie / Emily Vargo / May 31 to June 8
Anastasia / Barb Nichols / June 14 to June 22
Anything Goes / Amy Sander / June 28 to July 6
Hello Dolly! / Liz Ernst / July 12 to July 20
Sister Act / LB / July 26 to August 3
For More
Theatre in the Park
Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
8788 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Parks, KS 66212
913-826-3012
