The Mission of Great Northern Theatre Company is to foster, encourage and develop an appreciation of theater, particularly musical theater. We value:
- enriching the lives of the people of Central Minnesota
by engaging them in the power of live theater,
-creating opportunities for children and adults to develop talents in all aspects of theater,
-fostering the love of theater, music, the arts and social connections,
-excellence, innovation, inclusiveness, collaboration, development, stewardship and fiscal integrity.
History
A community theater in Cold Spring, Minnesota was formed in September of 1991 when interested people came together to dedicate the Rocori High School Auditorium to long time arts supporter and Cold Spring resident Glanville Smith. The variety show performance sold out all 500 seats and the proceeds were given to the new board of directors to form a community theatre. Work began on our first production and the Great Northern Theatre Company was officially incorporated in 1992.
The first play, performed in Sept. 1992 was The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, a three-act comedy directed by Vicki Meyer. They played to a crowd of 470 people over three performances and were thrilled with the audience size and the community support for their new endeavor. Their first musical Once Upon A Mattress in September of 1993 drew an audience of 870. See our Past Productions for a complete listing of all of our performances.
In the summer of 2000, GNTC decided to take their show on the road…to the newly renovated historic Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. After performing one weekend in Cold Spring, GNTC sold out all 900 seats at the Paramount with it's production of Oklahoma!. In 2002, GNTC returned to the Paramount with its production of State Fair and again in 2006 with South Pacific.
Dinner theatre was introduced in 2002 at the Blue Heron in Cold Spring. A prime rib or walleye dinner was served and a succulent chocolate dessert was served during intermission. The play was a murder mystery musical comedy, ‘Something’s Afoot’ and was directed by Kasi Stein. Four nights were planned and due to the overwhelming response, all 4 shows sold out in two weeks and a fifth performance night was added. In March of 2003, 'Lucky Stiff''had five performances and in 2004 Nunsense II sold out all five performances and a sixth command performance was added. In 2005 and 2006, all six performances of Clue, The Musical and Meshuggah-Nuns! were also sold out
In 2000, GNTC established a Hall Of Fame award given periodically to volunteers who have been of great service to the community theatre. Ron Woods was selected as the first recipient and has the distinction of being in every production of GNTC and continues to hold that distinction thru 2015. Long time show director, founder, Board President, and actress Vicki Meyer received the award in 2001. Jeff Rieffer who has appeared on and off stage in many productions and was a Board President along with his wife and House Manager, Publicist, Children's Theatre Coordinator Lois Bauer-Rieffer received the award in 2002. In 2004, founder, Board President and Treasurer, actress, show director, and pit orchestra director Val Hollermann was honored. 2007 saw Karla Reichel receiving the award as a founder, actress, Board Member, Historian, and designer of the GNTC logo. Leigh Ann Davis, actress, show director, and Board President was the 2010 recipient. In 2011, Craig Kimmerlee, long time rehearsal and show pianist/keyboard received the award. Al Beckel, founder, actor and who incidently named GNTC, along with his wife Jean Beckel, founder, actress, costumer, and Board Member received the award in 2012. Founder, show director, Board Member, set designer, costumer, and actress Kasi Stein received the award in 2013
GNTC is proud of the community support they receive. Membership grows with each production and attracts volunteers from Eden Valley, Watkins, Albany, Paynesville, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, Kimball, St. Martin, St. Joseph, St. Cloud and beyond. "It is exciting to see that many more new faces at auditions and have so many people to choose from," says Vicki Meyer, excitedly. "I wish we had parts for everyone, but that’s hard, too." There’s always backstage, set work, design work, costumes or many other areas where people lend a hand and are still on stage. "Everyone is welcome to lend a hand and the more that is done, the better the production and the more a fun, family atmosphere is created," says Ron Woods, a veteran member. Woods also adds, "We like to say that we’re a family, we all have fun, we work, but not a fire and brimstone atmosphere. When it’s all over at the cast party, awards are given and people are hugging and sad to see the production end. It’s truly like a family. I think GNTC can really be proud of that."
If you would like to participate in community theatre, please contact us. We'd love to have you join the GNTC family!
- enriching the lives of the people of Central Minnesota
by engaging them in the power of live theater,
-creating opportunities for children and adults to develop talents in all aspects of theater,
-fostering the love of theater, music, the arts and social connections,
-excellence, innovation, inclusiveness, collaboration, development, stewardship and fiscal integrity.
History
A community theater in Cold Spring, Minnesota was formed in September of 1991 when interested people came together to dedicate the Rocori High School Auditorium to long time arts supporter and Cold Spring resident Glanville Smith. The variety show performance sold out all 500 seats and the proceeds were given to the new board of directors to form a community theatre. Work began on our first production and the Great Northern Theatre Company was officially incorporated in 1992.
The first play, performed in Sept. 1992 was The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, a three-act comedy directed by Vicki Meyer. They played to a crowd of 470 people over three performances and were thrilled with the audience size and the community support for their new endeavor. Their first musical Once Upon A Mattress in September of 1993 drew an audience of 870. See our Past Productions for a complete listing of all of our performances.
In the summer of 2000, GNTC decided to take their show on the road…to the newly renovated historic Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. After performing one weekend in Cold Spring, GNTC sold out all 900 seats at the Paramount with it's production of Oklahoma!. In 2002, GNTC returned to the Paramount with its production of State Fair and again in 2006 with South Pacific.
Dinner theatre was introduced in 2002 at the Blue Heron in Cold Spring. A prime rib or walleye dinner was served and a succulent chocolate dessert was served during intermission. The play was a murder mystery musical comedy, ‘Something’s Afoot’ and was directed by Kasi Stein. Four nights were planned and due to the overwhelming response, all 4 shows sold out in two weeks and a fifth performance night was added. In March of 2003, 'Lucky Stiff''had five performances and in 2004 Nunsense II sold out all five performances and a sixth command performance was added. In 2005 and 2006, all six performances of Clue, The Musical and Meshuggah-Nuns! were also sold out
In 2000, GNTC established a Hall Of Fame award given periodically to volunteers who have been of great service to the community theatre. Ron Woods was selected as the first recipient and has the distinction of being in every production of GNTC and continues to hold that distinction thru 2015. Long time show director, founder, Board President, and actress Vicki Meyer received the award in 2001. Jeff Rieffer who has appeared on and off stage in many productions and was a Board President along with his wife and House Manager, Publicist, Children's Theatre Coordinator Lois Bauer-Rieffer received the award in 2002. In 2004, founder, Board President and Treasurer, actress, show director, and pit orchestra director Val Hollermann was honored. 2007 saw Karla Reichel receiving the award as a founder, actress, Board Member, Historian, and designer of the GNTC logo. Leigh Ann Davis, actress, show director, and Board President was the 2010 recipient. In 2011, Craig Kimmerlee, long time rehearsal and show pianist/keyboard received the award. Al Beckel, founder, actor and who incidently named GNTC, along with his wife Jean Beckel, founder, actress, costumer, and Board Member received the award in 2012. Founder, show director, Board Member, set designer, costumer, and actress Kasi Stein received the award in 2013
GNTC is proud of the community support they receive. Membership grows with each production and attracts volunteers from Eden Valley, Watkins, Albany, Paynesville, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, Kimball, St. Martin, St. Joseph, St. Cloud and beyond. "It is exciting to see that many more new faces at auditions and have so many people to choose from," says Vicki Meyer, excitedly. "I wish we had parts for everyone, but that’s hard, too." There’s always backstage, set work, design work, costumes or many other areas where people lend a hand and are still on stage. "Everyone is welcome to lend a hand and the more that is done, the better the production and the more a fun, family atmosphere is created," says Ron Woods, a veteran member. Woods also adds, "We like to say that we’re a family, we all have fun, we work, but not a fire and brimstone atmosphere. When it’s all over at the cast party, awards are given and people are hugging and sad to see the production end. It’s truly like a family. I think GNTC can really be proud of that."
If you would like to participate in community theatre, please contact us. We'd love to have you join the GNTC family!