FMCT Re-envisioned

Change is occurring at the Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre. These changes “…open up the possibility of deepening our connection with the community,” stated Scott Brusven, new director of theatre at FMCT. The changes are not so much of a re-envisioning or re-imagining of FMCT’s mission as a community theatre, but more of a re-commitment to the goals that have been in place since the inception of the theatre in 1946.

These changes can be seen in many aspects of the theatre, from the new box office ticket system, to the bright paint colors and photo displays in the lobby, and the relocation of the sound booth. The changes to the facility itself are subtle, other changes are more apparent. Most visible is the additional programming and courses for children and their families, known as Children’s Studio Theatre.

Launched as Prairie Theatre Academy over a decade ago, CST is the theatre’s “new umbrella organization,” simply a way of encompassing the various children’s theatre productions and classes. As part of this commitment, FMCT is now offering four adult main-stage productions and four family friendly productions each year.

“It’s important to remember,” said Brusven, “that these are not shows just for child actors, but shows for the whole family to watch and audition for.”

CST’s current production, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland now playing at FMCT, exemplifies this idea; in a cast of thirty-two the ages range from 8-years-old to forty-something, with three of the cast members being a father and his two sons.

In addition to the four family-friendly shows per season, CST is focusing on theatre arts classes. The courses will cover a wide variety of theatre arts areas, including musical theatre, dance, improv, storytelling, puppet theatre, costume and set design, costume and set construction, and stage managing. Again, there will be a focus on including the whole family.

“We have parents who want to volunteer, but they think that they don’t have enough theatre knowledge to participate,” Brusven said. “We want them to know that we will offer workshops in various areas to give them the skills.”

This means that even if you may not be an actor you are able to experience theatre with your kids. Parents will have access to three-hour workshops offered in set and costume construction and stage management.

“If you have the drive to help out, we have the place you can do that!” affirmed Brusven.

This focus on children’s programming grew out of the recognition of a need for more acting opportunities for kids in the Fargo-Moorhead area. When FMCT started The Summer Theatre Project (a four-week theatre “camp” open to anyone under the age of eighteen) three years ago the number of participants was 70, two years ago it was 120, last summer The Jungle Book had two casts totaling 148. In addition to The Summer Theatre Project, CST produced two other productions in the summer of 2009.

“We had over 200 kids participate in shows in just one summer,” Brusven noted. This fall, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland had 73 auditioners, with only half being cast.

The numbers support FMCT’s vision of a “black-box studio” performance space located on the west side of the theatre. Plans for this space have been drawn up since the theatre was renovated in 1999, yet here our community is a decade later and the studio has yet to be built. What’s lacking is the funding to make this vision a reality. FMCT is doing what it can.

“We’ve opened our existing performance space to local theatre companies and the result has been positive,” Brusven said.

Already the theatre has been rented by Tin Roof Theatre Company, Music Theatre Fargo-Moorhead, Red River Players, and The Bare Stage Theatre Company, and that’s this fall alone. Brusven stated, “The idea is for it to be a smaller, intimate space seating 150 to 200 people. If we had the extra space we could open it up for events like concerts and meetings, as well as using it for our needs.”

That’s the idea behind calling the children’s programming Children’s Studio Theatre. It’s a reminder to the community that there is an essential need to expand FMCT.

Despite this lack of performance and rehearsal space, FMCT (through Childre’s Studio Theatre) is offering quality family theatrical experiences. The next production is the New Year’s Musical Review, which will combine classic and contemporary musical excerpts: dance, and group and solo numbers. Upcoming shows this spring are Disney’s Mulan Junior and Willy Wonka Kids, audition information can be found at http://www.fmct.org.

“It’s exciting, the direction things are going…. We are offering the opportunity for kids to work with people who are passionate, to gain experience as an artist and grow into adult artists that will sustain theatre,” Brusven asserted.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is playing this weekend with shows Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. House opens a half hour before the show starts. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for children.

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INFO:
What: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
When: Oct. 22 - 25
Where: FMCT
Cost: $14 - adults, $6 - children
http://www.fmct.org