The Gentleman Caller, by Philip Dawkins

November 10-17, 2023

Playwrights have the ability to hide behind their words as they focusing their energy into the pure honesty and candor infuse in the characters they write. Philip Dawkins wrote this brilliant and heart wrenching play, putting the spotlight on Tennessee Williams and William Inge on the cusp of their rise to fame. The Gentleman Caller gives us a very intimate glimpse inside the lives of these famous playwrights and lets us see their hopes, dreams, and fears.

The Glass Menagerie: November 3, 4, 2023

The Glass Menagerie was the play that launched Tennessee Williams into international stardom and led to an astonishing career in 1944. Menagerie a memory play, in which the main character narrates the events of the story. The central theme of The Glass Menagerie looks at the conflict between fact and fiction, especially as we recall our memories.

An Iliad, adapted by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson

Homer’s Iliad, at the Story Mansion on August 18 and 20, 2023.

Ray Schultz’s performance, based on a modern adaptation by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, covered not only the Trojan War, but all wars throughout history, including the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. A brilliant one person show.

The Sunset Limited, by Cormac McCarthy

February February 17-19 & 24-26, 2023.

Directed by Nnamdi Kanaga, starring Ben Leubner and Carlo Campbell, performed in the Eagles Ballroom.

The Sunset Limited showcases two people as they attempt to bridge the various gaps that separate them from each other. Set in a tenement apartment, it consists of a conversation between a devoutly religious former convict and the atheist professor whose life he has just saved, as they discuss race, belief and unbelief, class systems, education, and what is--or isn't--true and important in life.

The Sunset Limited, by Cormac McCarthy

February February 17-19 & 24-26, 2023.

Directed by Nnamdi Kanaga, starring Ben Leubner and Carlo Campbell, performed in the Eagles Ballroom.

The Sunset Limited showcases two people as they attempt to bridge the various gaps that separate them from each other. Set in a tenement apartment, it consists of a conversation between a devoutly religious former convict and the atheist professor whose life he has just saved, as they discuss race, belief and unbelief, class systems, education, and what is--or isn't--true and important in life.

BAT's in the Belfry a 24 hour playfest

In this 24 hour play-fest sponsored by BAT on October 21 and 22, 2022, participants were divided into teams with a writer, director, and cast members. Each team was given a Halloween-themed prompt to explore and workshop, the writer then took that night and following morning to write a script. On Saturday, October 22, the scripts were handed off to the directors who cast and rehearsed each show, the performed the whole sequence that same evening.

Zoo Story, by Edward Albee

Directed by Hunter Hash, and starring Julien Harris and Bradford Rosenbloom, Zoo Story was performed at the 2022 Sweet Pea Festival, followed by four performances at Live At the Divide on August 12-14, 2022.

Albee wrote Zoo Story in only three weeks, exploring themes of isolation, loneliness, dehumanization and social disparity.

"Life of Galileo" by Bertolt Brecht

For six performances on October 12-14 and 19-21, 2018, plus a special seventh performance for 200 students from three local middle schools, Bozeman Actors Theatre presented Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece Life of Galileo at the Museum of the Rockies to rave reviews. Under the direction of Gordon Carpenter, with stage management by Anna Neikirk, the play featured Kalen Watson as Galileo and an outstanding supporting cast of Aaron Schuerr, Alex Miller, Colton Swibold, Emily Jones, Hugh Burroughs, and Sydney Madill playing multiple roles each. (Read the press release.)

The play’s costume designer was Stefanie Cytron, with lighting and sound design by Jonathan Dove and scenic design by Angela Cateora and Taylor Davis. Gretchen Minton served as dramaturg, and Tonya Andrews was acting coach for the cast. The play’s producer was Kevin Brustuen.

The play featured thoughtful talkback discussions with MSU scholars and the actors following most performances, and a calendar of related events at the Museum and on campus during the month of October kept interest alive even after the play closed.

"The Realistic Joneses" by Will Eno

For six stellar performances in April 2018 at the newly renovated Rialto downtown, Bozeman Actors Theatre delighted and moved audiences with Will Eno's The Realistic Joneses, under the direction of Joel Jahnke. The play featured Mark Kuntz, Cara Wilder, Miles Duffey, and Claire Barley. (Read the press release.) Our stage manager was Anna Neikirk, with costume design by Yvonne Siemer; lighting design by Joel Jahnke; sound design by Reid Loessberg; set build by Gordon Carpenter; and props by Dava Guptill Knobel. The producer was James Burroughs.

Here's what just a few in our audiences had to say:

• “This play was so good—funny and sad and everything in between. But it was so much more because of the superb ensemble of actors. Beautifully done.”
• “Another work of art from Bozeman Actors Theatre! The story packs an emotional punch inside the clever, funny language, with masterful performances.”
• “My head is still spinning a bit from it all. Whew! Really good stuff, and what an amazing ensemble.”
• “I’m really grateful I went. You were all so real on the stage. We’re very fortunate to have you in Bozeman.”
• "You all were amazing—thoughtful and heartbreaking and funny."
• “It’s intense and intimate experiencing this witty drama of loneliness and love, masterfully performed.”
• “I wasn’t expecting laughs and heartbreak one moment to the next. The whole cast just shines.”
• “We’re so fortunate to have this kind of talent in Bozeman.”

Our video preview had the whole theater community talking! (VIDEO CREDITS: KATIE LOSE GILBERTSON, DIRECTOR/EDITOR; CARL HANSEN, VIDEOGRAPHER)

"I Am My Own Wife" by Doug Wright

Bozeman Actors Theatre and Verge Theater presented Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife in six sold-out shows in February 2018. Following a full-capacity preview night at the Verge, this amazing production starring Ryan Lawrence Flynn and directed by Kari Doll was the talk of the town! Over two-and-a-half hours and a mosaic of 35 characters, Ryan's unforgettable performance—and the accompanying technical achievement by lighting designer Julie Seitel and sound designer KC Luchsinger—presented the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German preservationist who survived a violent childhood, the Nazis, and a repressive Communist regime as a transgender woman. Set design was by Kari Doll, with costume design by Mandy Luchsinger. Our stage manager was Sara Stanek. The producers were James Burroughs and Kari Doll.

Just a sample of our audience reactions:

• "This is the best piece of theater I've seen in Montana, and just maybe the best performance I've seen in my life. BRAVO!"
• "It's a master class in acting and storytelling. It's a crown jewel. It's Ryan Lawrence Flynn at his finest."
• "The ending of this play is perfect. And the rest of the play isn’t far behind."
• "An amazing tour de force. I can’t even imagine how he did it!"
• "What a unique experience!"
• “Nothing short of transcendent.”

Our "Supporting Role" sponsors, The Nova Cafe and The Law Office of Christopher J. Gillette, helped make this production possible.

The excitement started with this video trailer ...

Photographs by Tim Stiller, The Big Event Photography.