EBS STAFF
BIG SKY – More than 600 people came to the two sold-out performances of “The Wizard of Oz” this summer, put on by Big Sky Broadway June 22 and 23 at Big Sky Resort.
This year, the group’s 31 local actors ages 7 – 14 performed with professional-looking sets, built for free by generous local builders.
“People were completely wowed by the clever staging,” said producer Barbara Rowley. ” I think it made the kids’ performances that much better.”
Unfortunately, Rowley says, while she now has professionally-built sets, she’s got nowhere to store them.
“I’m searching for someone with a garage or extra storage space they could share,” Rowley said. The nonprofit theater company operates with thin margins, Rowley said, and renting a storage unit would be a big budgetary hit.
In total, Big Sky Broadway is looking to store five rotating pillars, half of a house, and two steps connected to a platform (with a trap door for disappearing).
“You always need a house [for theatre shows], and the rotating pillars are lightweight—perfect for easy set changes,” Rowley said. “I don’t want to throw them out, because we can repaint them each year.” The whole shebang would take up approximately the same about of room as one car.
In the long run, she’d like to have a space to put all theatre-related items, so the community can share them and not have to reinvent them.
Young audience members were so excited about “Oz” that Big Sky Broadway is planning for future growth.
“Parents of young kids said their kids can’t wait to be in the show,” Rowley said.
As a result, Rowley and director John Zirkle are launching an all-encompassing theater camp for children entering first through fourth grades next year, called Big Sky Broadway Junior. This camp will also likely make use of the costumes and sets if they can be stored and saved, as will the school.
If you have a storage space, contact Barbara Rowley at (406) 995-4984 or browley@3rivers.net.
