Theaters take center stage this summer across South Dakota
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many productions to go dark, but South Dakota theaters are working to bring the arts back to center stage. Those seeking summertime entertainment will find a variety of exceptional live theater performances only a day trip away. Here are what two long-standing South Dakota community theaters and one regional professional theater have planned for summer 2021.
Aberdeen Community Theatre to perform eight shows
Aberdeen Community Theatre (ACT) had big plans for its 40th anniversary until the pandemic flipped its season lineup off like a light switch. In response, ACT offered online events this past year and a live virtual radio adaption of “A Christmas Carol.” James Walker, artistic and managing director, said ACT hopes to produce a live mainstage production by the end of this summer. “We are going to make sure that we are able to get back on our feet and build back to where we were,” Walker said. Storybook Land Theatre, a partnership between ACT and Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry, will perform outdoors at Wylie Park this summer. Brian Schultz, ACT youth education director, said the cast consists of five to seven paid actors who are joined by area youth for two camps for elementary and middle schoolers. They will perform eight free shows in eight weeks for families and young audiences Tuesdays at 10 am CDT and Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 pm CDT. Visit aberdeencommunitytheatre.com for more information.
Black Hills Playhouse honors its storied past
A 2017 Black Hills Playhouse production of “Grease,” with set design by Victor Shonk.
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The 2020 cast members of Aberdeen’s Storybook Land Theatre.
Black Hills Playhouse (BHP) was selling tickets for its 75th anniversary when the regional professional theater had to cancel its entire season last year. BHP decided to produce its 2021 summer season in a different way with a nod to its past. From 1947 to 1950, BHP performed in a tent called the Frontier Theatre. To ensure the safety of its artists and patrons, BHP created a new outdoor performing arts space that will debut this summer. The New Frontier Theatre has mask-required seating socially distanced from the stage, plus a mask-optional section. Dan Workman, BHP’s artistic director, chose this summer’s shows specifically to be performed outside, said Executive Director Linda Anderson. “The shows will be comic and light with energetic music and dance. We think people are going to be really hungry for this kind of entertainment,” Anderson said. “It is going to be fun for people to see theater outside under the stars in a beautiful location.” Among the summer highlights will be “The Marvelous Wonderettes” June 18-July 4; “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” July 9-25, and “Altar Boyz” July 30-August 15. Shows are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 2 pm MDT and Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm MDT. For more information, visit blackhillsplayhouse.com.
www.ArtsCouncil.sd.gov
