Tag Archives: Thief River Falls Area Community Theater

Event News

Looking for Theater? TRFACT opens Anything Goes on July 20

After nearly two years out of the spotlight, the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater (TRFACT) is pleased to announce that they are once again opening the doors to the public with a classic musical comedy set aboard a luxury ocean liner set in the 1930s.  With music by Cole Porter, lavish period costumes and large-cast choreographed numbers, Anything Goes is sure to please audiences of all ages.

Performances are scheduled for July 20-22 at 7 p.m. each day at the Northland Community and Technical College Theater. Tickets are now on sale at Hope Pediatrics located at 219 Brooks Avenue North in Thief River Falls and will also be available at the door each evening of performance starting at 6 p.m.

According to TRFACT Executive Director Jane Anderson, “The last year and a half has been challenging for everyone, to be certain.  The Theater has persevered by producing concerts and radio shows that have been broadcast on Pioneer 90.1 fm and on our Facebook page.  But actually stepping back on stage has been like ‘coming home.’  We have missed our staff and volunteer performers, and the board determined that we would start with our youth programs–a very wise decision.  We are thrilled to be back and hope local theater lovers take opportunity to come out and support our teens as they present this show.“

Anything Goes includes a madcap script with some of the greatest music written by Cole Porter, including the title song “Anything Goes” as well as standards like “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “De-Lovely” and “Blow Gabrielle!”  

The cast is comprised of youth in grades 6th-12th and features Javyn Eidelbes as Reno Sweeney, Odin Mooney as Billy Crocker, Brynn Olson as Hope Harcourt, Liam Stavos as Sir Evelyn Oakley,  Alex Nomeland as Moonface Martin, Jilliana Klemetson as Erma,  Henry Kahlhamer as Elisha Whitney and Olivia Mooney as Mrs. Harcourt. 

Also included in the cast are Amellia Ballard, Annabelle Simoneau Jordin Kading and Alaina Lunsetter as the Angels, Danielle German as Casey/FBI Agent, Andraya Bakken as Betty, Audrey Bienek as Estelle, Justin Timm and Hailee Eidelbes as Sailors, Logan Ballard as the Captain,  Olivia Wojahn as the Purser, Sarah Hahn as the Deck Stewardess, Anita Foster as a Reporter, Amelie Heaton as the Minister,   Charlie Sieckert and Emma Westerman as Luke and John, Riley Poppitz as a Photographer, McKenna Carr as an FBI Agent, Shelby Hensrud as the Old Lady in the Wheelchair and a Passenger, Maddie David as the Cook, and Maddie Poissant and Karena Bakken as Passengers and Public Enemy Soloists.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

For more information on the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater, please visit www.trfact.org or join us on Facebook.

Event News

TRFACT’S Voices of the Theater on Pioneer 90.1

Every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. on Pioneer 90.1 FM, Thief River Falls Area Community Theater is performing one of 3 different shows (Radio Readers’ Theater, Community Concerts and Small City, Big Theater! — this last one is a show on various Broadway shows, music and guests who talk about said shows) — all under the title Voices of the Theater. Tune in each week for this regional entertainment!

Voices of the Theater Schedule


Oct 20   Small City; Big Theater! Les Miserables  with Teresa Rankin
McGriff
Oct 27  Radio Readers’ Theater Halloween Show with Rob Burkel & Scott Pream
Nov 3  Community Concert #16
Nov 10  Radio Readers’ Theater He Said & She Said and Fourteen
Nov 17  Small City; Big Theater!  West Side Story with Dan Bartsch
Nov 24  Radio Readers’ Theater The Jelly Bean by F Scott Fitzgerald, read by Carl Dahlberg
Dec 1  Small City; Big Theater!  Broadway Christmas with Teresa Rankin McGriff
Dec 8  Community Concert Christmas Show #1
Dec 15  Community Concert Christmas Show #2
Dec 22 Radio Readers’ Theater Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Dec 29  Radio Readers’ Theater  Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Awards

Northwest Artist of the Year Award Given to Rob Burkel

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Rob Burkel of Thief River Falls has been awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award. Burkel is a talented actor in our area. 

Artist of the Year Rob Burkel

Rob Burkel has served as Thief River Falls Area Community Theater’s (TRFACT) board President, and directed, produced, acted in numerous theatrical productions in Thief River Falls and the area. He’s also been a TRFACT Radio Readers Theater cast member and a Lincoln High School Speech Team Coach and One Act Play Director. He sits on the Northwest Regional Library Board and has been the force behind bringing the Fargo-Moorhead Opera to Thief River Falls the past 2 years.

According to TRFACT Director Jane Anderson, Burkel is “the backbone of our local theater. His decades of hard work, phenomenal talent and dedication to theater arts, make him truly deserving of this award. In every capacity, Rob is an asset to the theater. Rob’s greatest contribution to the theater is his ability to act and bring characters to life.”

Director Teresa McGriff described Burkel as “one of the most prepared actors I have ever worked with. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and pitch in. He’s a real team player — upstanding but kind and fun as well. People want to be in shows with him because he is fun to work with. Audiences want to come and see him in shows, as well, because he is well-liked and respected. When auditions are held, he is one of the ones I hope to see walking into the room and that is one of the highest compliments a director can give.”

Fellow actor Scott Pream said,” Rob’s insight into his character portrayal is only topped by his willingness to help his fellow actors become the best they can be. He is a great leader willing to help in any way he can.”

When asked about the impact of the arts on individuals or society, Burkel explained that “theater and art are at their best when they force you to think. If forcing you to think makes you uncomfortable, even better. Art should change who you are going forward and make you a better person. There should be a balance between that and fun and silly. There’s a role for humor, too.”

The Northwest Artist of the Year Award is given each year to recognize artists within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry. This award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. “Of the Year” Award winners were nominated by area residents and comes with a cash award of $500.00. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from the McKnight Foundation. 

Congratulations, Rob Burkel on being named the Artist of the Year!

Awards, Chat Topics

Of the Year Award Winners Announced

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is Pleased to Announce
Of the Year Award Winners

Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Many times people serve in both roles. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.

2020 Of the Year Award Winners include:

Rob Burkel of Thief River Falls will be awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award for theater arts. Rob has been involved in theater in the Thief River Falls area for 30 years. His dedication and talent is well known and admired. Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500.00.

NW Artist of the Year Rob Burkel in The Boys Next Door

Bruce Piersol of Red Lake Falls will be awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Mr. Piersol is a musician and a strong advocate for the arts. He has performed and organized numerous musical groups bringing music to people who otherwise might not be able to experience it. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines.

NW Arts Advocate of the Year Bruce Piersol

Joe Wavra of Red Lake Falls will receive the Northwest Star Award. Mr. Wavra is a self-taught wood carver, creating life-size animals, Vikings, and trolls with a chainsaw. His carvings can be found throughout the area. This award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award.

NW Star Award Winner Joe Wavra

These awards will be presented on Tuesday, August 18 in Red Lake Falls. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our celebration of these wonderful artists and leaders in our area will be limited to close friends and family.

Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.

Event News

TRFACT Community Concerts — Tune in Weekly!

The Thief River Falls Area Community Theater has had to adapt due to the pandemic. They have postponed their Summer 2020 shows to 2021.

Instead, they will be holding community concerts each Tuesday at 5 pm on Pioneer 90.1 radio during the summer. These concerts include a variety of performers including singers, musicians, and monologues.

Singer Sherry Knott

To listen, tune to Pioneer Radio 90.1 FM on Tuesdays at 5pm. Watch our FaceBook page or the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater FaceBook page to see the lineup of performers each week. Videos of individual performances will also be added to their FaceBook page.