By Amy Grisak
Broadway, eat your heart out. With a deep well of talent — actors with flawless delivery and vibrant, moving musical numbers — along with set builders who create a world that makes it all believable, the Great Falls community has reason to boast.
“Great Falls has such a rich history in the arts and culture,” says Amber Henning Griffith, co-founder and current president of the Great Falls Theatre Company. Prior to forming the nonprofit group, she delved into the history of local performance groups. She discovered that throughout the decades, local acting enthusiasts did whatever it took to bring productions to the stage, going so far as to take out second mortgages to pay performance fees.
With a mission to provide quality arts to the community, the Great Falls Theatre Company was officially formed in 2021. Amber says it took two years to pull together the necessary resources, including fundraising, recruiting, and organizing cast and production staff. In 2023, their first show Oklahoma! was received with much acclaim. With this resounding success, the organization gained momentum and now performs multiple productions each year, ranging from full-length plays to shorter pieces. Much to the delight of audiences, musical performances such as The Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof come to life with a live orchestra.
The Theatre Company’s strength lies in the people involved. “The Great Falls community members are truly talented and love the arts and theater. Everyone, even those who have never stepped foot on the stage, is welcome to audition or to assist in a supportive role. It’s cliché to say it takes a village, but the reality is every member, from those creating costumes to set builders, to the performers themselves, is critical to creating these top-notch performances. Theater members work for up to eight weeks to perfect their lines, master the dance moves, and bring everything together before the lights shine upon their first performance.
The Great Falls Theatre Company is truly an effort by the community, for the community. Amber says, “Our donors and community support are vital to our success.”
Upcoming performances include Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie and The Wizard of Oz.
To learn more visit greatfallstheatre.com.