FM Community Theatre

Same great location, exciting new programming: Your destination for live entertainment

On October 26, 2011, the Board of Directors and Administrative Staff unveiled The Stage at Island Park as the name for the venue where FMCT currently performs.   This decision comes after three successful years of operating the theatre as a venue for community collaborations, bringing new partnerships and entertainment opportunities to the theatre.

“FMCT will retain the historic name Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre and will continue to present a wide variety of community theatre productions at The Stage at Island Park,” said Scott Brusven, FMCT’s Director of Theatre.

In addition to being the home of FMCT, The Stage at Island Park will also host several other guest theatres: Bare Stage Theatre, Music Theatre Fargo-Moorhead, Red River Players and Tin Roof Theatre Company.   Other artists in the area and Jade Presents will also use the unique, intimate setting of The Stage at Island Park to provide in a variety of live entertainment.  The Stage at Island Park is also available for meetings, corporate presentations, reunions, receptions, weddings and more.

This year, FMCT is celebrating its 65^th Anniversary Season.  Productions include The Mousetrap (October 28-November 6), Little Women (December 9-18), A New Year’s Musical Revue (January 6-8), Annie Jr! (February 10-19), Clue: The Musical (March 7-11), The Merry Wives of Wahpeton (April 20-29) and Bugsy Malone Sr! (May 17-20).   To purchase tickets, visit www.fmct.org or call the Box Office at 701-235-6778.

For the latest information on what is being presented at The Stage at Island Park, visit the new website at www.thestageatislandpark.org, call 701-235-6778 or email info@thestageatislandpark.org.

Hometown sweetheart Becky Gulsvig will be joining Broadway star Adam Pascal at the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre July 18^th at 7:30pm for Broadway in Concert. Raised in Moorhead, Becky began her theatre training at a young age with Eddie and Kathy Gasper. A student of Moorhead High School, Becky participated in Speech & Debate, placing 13^th in the nation at the National Forensic League Tournament in 2000.  Becky was an active performer with Moorhead High Theatre and Trollwood Performing Arts School.

In 2000 Becky moved to New York City, and landed the role of “Wendy” in the national tour of Peter Pan.  She performed regionally in Philadelphia and Connecticut, and performed on a cruise ship in 2002, where she met her husband, Tyler.  She had a small role on All My Children and appeared in a national Verizon commercial. In 2004, Becky made her Broadway debut in Hairspray, first in the role of “Lou Ann,” and later taking over the role of “Amber Von Tussle.”

In 2007 Becky was an original cast member of Legally Blonde The Musical.  The cast performed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and made a variety of other TV appearances, including The Today Show and The View. After a year and a half in the Broadway company, Becky then originated the role of “Elle Woods” for the first national tour of the production in 2008, for which she received a nomination for the Helen Hayes award and appeared on the Bonnie Hunt Show.  Becky represented the tour on the 63^rd annual Tony Awards in 2009 when she performed “So Much Better” during the live telecast. Click here to see Becky Gulsvig on the 2009 Tony Awards Becky finished up the tour last summer and has recently been enjoying a year off. She is looking forward to returning to her hometown in July, bringing with her the newest addition to the family: Hazel Kae, born April 29, 2011.

This summer’s Broadway in Concert features Adam Pascal, who originated the role of “Roger” in RENT, for which he received nominations for a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award.  Pascal won a Theatre World Award for his performance as “Roger,” and also performed as “Radames” in Broadway’s Aida and as “The Emcee” in the Broadway revival of Cabaret.

Broadway in Concert is part of Broadway LIGHTS Education Enrichment Initiative. In 2010, composer Jason Robert Brown put on the first Broadway in Concert performance.  FMCT’s Broadway LIGHTS program is a performance and training ground for bright young artists with exceptional musical theater talent, stage presence, and a discipline that makes them stand out among their peers.  This program immerses young artists in the creative process, while using the arts for advocacy and positive social change.  Through the production of a contemporary theme-based musical, students will grow as artists, as well as members of the larger community.  This July, the Broadway LIGHTS program will produce the musical RENT.  Performances run July 28- 31 and August 3-7 at 7:30 pm at FMCT.

FMCT’s mission: providing theatrical and educational opportunities to engage and enrich the greater community.  Visit www.fmct.org for more information.

Details: Broadway in Concert Featuring Adam Pascal with Special Guest Becky Gulsvig
Monday July 18^th, 2011 at 7:30pm  $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre 333 4^th Street South Fargo
FMCT Box Office: 701-235-6778 or reserve tickets online at www.fmct.org

Administrators of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Trust have announced a major gift to the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) located in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. The gift, which totals $400,000, is the largest donation to date and the largest individual donation to the theatre in its history.

The gift will fund phases one and two of a four-phase remodeling and new construction endeavor at FMCT, which enters its 65^th season on July 1. Phases one and two, which focus on improving accessibility for disabled persons and completing the Theatre’s gazebo project, will begin immediately.

“We are extremely honored and humbled by this gift that will enable even more people to enjoy the arts,” said Rick Stenseth, executive director of FMCT.

The Theatre’s current front steps and disabled access were cutting-edge design for their time; however, the entry has deteriorated, and building and accessibility codes have changed. The newly designed ramp will meet codes and expand FMCT’s commitment to accessibility, a commitment that garnered the organization the VSA & Metropolitan Life Foundation “Access Innovation in the Arts” Award in 2000.

Completion of the gazebo project, in conjunction with the new steps and ramp, will put a “new face” on FMCT. Enclosing the gazebo will give FMCT more year-round available space and will add to the Theatre’s capacity for educational programs and dinner theatre. Additionally, the gazebo will become a secondary rehearsal area and will be used for meetings and receptions.

Katherine Kilbourne Burgum (1915 – 2005) grew up in Fargo and developed a love of the downtown community that she carried with her throughout her lifetime. Her career included numerous notable accomplishments, including eight years as dean of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) College of Home Economics. She is widely credited with construction of the university’s Family Life Center, which NDSU renamed in her honor in 1998. She was a founding member of the NDSU Development Foundation and the Cass County Historical Society. She served on numerous business boards including Western State Life Insurance and the Arthur Companies.  She was also an early investor in Great Plains Software.  During her lifetime she was patron of the arts and gave generously to both visual and performing arts organizations, and she enjoyed collecting art from regional artists.

“Katherine Kilbourne Burgum, or simply ‘K’ as she was known by many, had high regard for the role of the arts in enhancing the vibrancy of a community,” said Doug Burgum, one of her three children. “She was a believer in the concept that art should be present and accessible in everyday life, for everyone. She enjoyed the performing arts because of their power to transform both the artists and the audiences.”

A total of $300,000 was given from the trust, with another $100,000 coming from Burgum family members. Doug Burgum said he hopes that these gifts will serve as both a challenge and an inspiration to other individuals and businesses to give to FMCT, which – in conjunction with the announcement of this major gift – has announced a match campaign. Stenseth said that FMCT is seeking $100,000 in matching funds from businesses, individuals or trusts/foundations to complete interior renovation efforts (phase three).

“We were motivated to make such a large contribution because the work to improve FMCT can begin immediately and can have a big impact in a short amount of time,” said Burgum. “Our mother loved the downtown community, and she loved the arts; she loved youth, and she loved education. Through this gift to FMCT, we honor her passions and create a legacy that will benefit the entire community.”

About Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre
Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) is the largest and longest-running community theatre in North Dakota and enters its 65^th year of programming in July. A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, FMCT is dedicated to providing theatrical and education experiences to enrich and engage the greater community, serving audiences of all ages and abilities. FMCT program highlights include: Summer Theatre Project, serving 170 K-6 students, Broadway Lights, a middle school and high school three-week intensive musical theatre experience, and Silver Follies, a “seniors only” performance group. FMCT collaborates with Minnesota State University Moorhead to bring touring productions to schools in the tri-state area, and with Jade Presents to attract a variety of intimate concerts.

FMCT’s 65^th Anniversary Season will showcase 16 theatre productions, including FMCT and Children’s Studio Theatre, as well hosting performances by Music Theatre Fargo-Moorhead, Tin Roof Theatre Company, and the Bare Stage Theatre. FMCT is supported by more than 1,200 dedicated community volunteers. FMCT is truly the community’s theatre, where audience members can see their neighbors, co-workers, friends and area youth perform high-quality theatre throughout the year.

Summer performances at FMCT include Aladdin Kids, June 22-26, and RENT July 28-August 7. Tickets and info available at www.fmct.org or by calling 701-235-6778.

The Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) is thrilled to welcome Katie Phillips to their staff as Community Development Coordinator. Phillips has been hired to fill the newly created position at FMCT which deals with donor development, community relations/programming as well as developing the new Theatre Business Network.  FMCT created this position to handle the growing number of supporters and community businesses who have shown an interest in their new and expanding programming.

Katie most recently served as Director of Programs and Events at Bluestem Center for the Arts, producing “Water, Water Everywhere,” a residency with Minneapolis-based “In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre,” and organizing the Lindsay Mac Masterclass, in collaboration with the Celebration of Women & their Music.  Phillips also secured sponsorships and facilitated ongoing development with FutureBuilders in support of Trollwood Performing Arts School since 2008. Katie was also a 2011 YWCA Woman of the Year nominee.  She graduated from Eastern University in Philadelphia, PA, and is excited to be cultivating support for the arts in the Fargo-Moorhead community.

Please join us in welcoming Katie to our team! Katie can be reached at katie@fmct.org

Spaces are filling up for the Summer Theatre Project. Call today to pre-register. FMCT will be capping the open enrollment program at 150 students this year.

The Summer Theatre Project Details

The Summer Theatre Project is a month-long open enrollment program.  All students grades K-6 are able to audition and all will be cast in the program.  We will have two casts for this production.  Both casts will rehearse at the same time.  The program runs 4 days a week, Monday thru Thursday. Week one will start Tuesday May 31st and the students will rehearse from 4 pm to 7 pm due to schools being in session.  The remaining three weeks will run from 9 am to 4 pm.  Each cast will rehearse with a directing team to learn the production and will participate in dancing, singing, and acting classes.  Tuition is $250 for this program.  Scholarship forms are available upon request.  Each student will need to provide lunch; however, FMCT will provide daily snacks during the program.

Aladdin Audition Information

Audition Workshop Dates are May 15th or 16th at 6 pm

RENT CAST LIST

MARK             Mark Hanna                                       MAUREEN                  Kendrick Pifer

ROGER            Trevor Larson                                   JOANNE                      Cora Joe Anderson

MIMI               Jorie Kosel                                         COLLINS                     Abdul Habib

BENNY            Drew Lausch*                                   ANGEL                        Alex Grosz

RENT COMPANY

Megan Renslow                                             Kate Tepley*

Sam Wisenden – GORDON                           Jordan Hartjen

Nina Grollman                                               McKenzie Schwark

Spencer Hill*                                                  Chino Farok*

Megan Thompson                                         Maya Rowe

Forest Elstrom                                              Carl Swanson

Alexys Hewitt                                                 Sarah Johnson*

Kelsey Schroeder – ALEXI DARLING          Emily Olig*

*Featured Dancer

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION visit www.fmct.org or call 701-235-6778