There are new entertainment options coming to St Joseph this summer. Missouri Western State University and the Western Institute today announced formation of a new, professional theater company, the Western Playhouse.
Assistant Professors Dallas Henry and Tee Quillin will direct and perform in the company’s first three productions: “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Barefoot in the Park,” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
Quillin tells us they’re negotiating with the Actors’ Equity Association, the stage actor’s union, and hope to expand their offerings and outreach well beyond St Joseph.
“We’re hiring professional actors, professional technicians, and scenic designers,” Quillen said. “When you say the word ‘audition’ in a reasonably sized city, actors come out of the woodwork.”
How are they going to attract professional talent? “We’re going to pay them,” Quillen said.
Gordon Mapley, Dean of the Western Institute, says the Institute is putting up some seed money to get the project off the ground, but says he fully expects to break even.
“I want to bring great public relations to the community, in terms of the community scene, the value of the university, appreciating the arts, but when all is said and done, the budget needs to balance,” Mapley said.
Organizers expressed confidence they can sell enough tickets to make the company self-sufficient. Tickets are reasonably priced, $9.50 for children, and $15-$18.50 for adults. Adult season tickets are available for $45.
The musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” runs June 15-24. Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” follows, July 5-8. They’ll close the first summer season with the musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” July 19-28.
Mapley, Quillen and Henry were joined for the announcement by University President Dr. Robert Vartabedian.
“I’m pleased at this latest example of the arts flourishing here at Missouri Western and in the St Joseph community,” Vartabedian said. “We’re grateful that the community has enthusiastically supported our recent theatrical productions, and I’m certain that they will support this new endeavor by our faculty members as well.”
Auditions for the inaugural season are scheduled at Missouri Western’s Potter Hall April 21 and in Kansas City April 28.
Find more ticket and audition information at the company’s web site at www.westernplayhouse.com.
