Tag Archives: Thief River Falls Area Community Theater

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.

Event News

Radio Readers’ Theater

The Thief River Falls Area Community Theater and Pioneer Radio are teaming up again to create a Radio Readers’ Theater series. To listen, tune to Pioneer Radio 90.1 FM at the following times:

December 20 at 5 pm & Sunday, December 22 at 4 pm:  A Christmas Carol
January 24 at 5 pm and Sunday January 26 at 4 pm: KOLD Radio
February 21 at 5 pm & Sunday, February 23 at 4 pm:  The Bickersons
March 27 at 5 pm and Sunday, March 29 at 4 pm:  The Secret Garden
April 24 at 5 pm and April 26 at 4 pm.:  Kids Show TBA
May 22 at 5 pm and May 24 at 4 pm:  The 1920s Radio Hour

If you’d like to get involved in future radio plays, contact Mark at Pioneer 90.1 or Jane at the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater! On the air: 90.1 FM. Online: www.radionorthland.org.

Event News

Thief River Falls Area Community Theater Opens Cabaret

Cabaret’s Emcee and 2 Kit Kat Girls Ginger Kirkeby-Stumbo, Jon Mansk, and Sherry Knott

The Thief River Falls Area Community Theater’s musical production of Cabaret opens Tuesday June 25 and runs through Saturday, June 29. Cabaret has been entertaining audiences world-wide for decades; this is the first time it has been performed in Thief River Falls.

Cabaret’s Matt Linder (Cliff Bradshaw) and Lisa Swanson (Sally Bowles)

Performances will take place at the Northland Community and Technical College Theater, with shows beginning at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Tickets can be purchased at Digikey’s East Entrance during business hours, online at www.trfact.org or at the door each evening starting at 6:00 p.m.

Performing locally in Cabaret are Jon Mansk as The Emcee; Matt Linder as Cliff Bradshaw; Lisa Swanson as Sally Bowles; Rob Conwell as Herr Schulz; Jane Anderson as Fraulein Schneider; Sherry Knott, Rene Mooney, Ginger Kirkeby-Stumbo, and Jennifer Manning as the KitKat Girls; Sydney Linder as Fraulein Kost; Steve Moeller as Ernst; and Kim Beito, Shelby Pahlen, Tiffany Barta, David Miller, David Ahlfs, and Jeffrey Willis play multiple roles in the ensemble.

Cabaret’s Jennifer Manning, Jon Mansk and Sherry Knott in “Two Ladies”

The orchestra, led by Lorrisa Skalsky, also includes Brianna Geer, Alice Conwell, Raymond Johanneck, and Aaron Fagerstrom.

Written in 1966, Cabaret is a musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Set between 1929-1930 in Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, it focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles. 

A sub-plot involves romance between German boarding house owner Fräulein Schneider and her elderly suitor Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit vendor. Overseeing the action is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub. The club serves as a metaphor for ominous political developments in late Weimar Germany. 

Cabaret is directed by Gretchen Weinrich, with set and light design by Philip Hoks and costumes and props by Jane Anderson.  Bruce Elseth and Carl Dahlberg will serve as sound and light operators.

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

Cabaret is made possible in part by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council with Legacy Amendment funding through the vote of Minnesotans in 2008.