Jazz Nightly

The public is invited to join South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) for Jazz Nightly with Karl Gehrke: Live from Pierre with the Jim Szana Trio, featuring Jim McKinney, on Wednesday, March 11, 8 p.m. at the Grand Opera House. The event is free and open to the public and can also be heard on SDPB Radio and SDPB.org.

A traditional combination of piano, bass and drums, the Jim Szana Trio formed in 1998, with Jim Szana on piano, Lonnie Schumacher on bass, and Ron Woodburn on drums. The trio offers a smooth blend of modern and classic instrumental jazz music.

The former director of bands at SDSU, Jim McKinney plays vibraphones with his group the Jim McKinney Quartet throughout South Dakota and the Midwest.

The only nightly live jazz broadcast program in the Great Plains, Jazz Nightly with Karl Gehrke can be heard weeknights at 8 p.m. on SDPB Radio and SDPB.org. For the latest playlists and artist interviews visit: https://listen.sdpb.org/programs/jazz-nightly.

Front-of-House Hospitality Training

There are so many ways to participate in Pierre Players. On Thursday, Feb. 13, Pierre Players will hold a Front-of-House Hospitality Training from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Opera House. Come learn about some of the small but necessary roles that help make each night of a production enjoyable for everyone who attends. We are looking for volunteers who can help with front of house activities, which includes the box office, concession stand, house managing and ushering. Most of these activities require less than two hours of your time and on your availability. At the training, we will discuss the volunteer opportunities and give a tour of the theater.

Little Players to Hold Theater on the Prairie Workshops

Dracula Drive

Pierre Players Membership Kickoff

Little Players 2018-2019 Workshops

Little Players’ mission is to foster an appreciation of community theater and encourage self-development through the dramatic arts as students learn the skills and technical aspects of theater. Little Players has announced its 2018-2019 Workshops

The Kidz Variety Show
Third to Fifth Grade Students
Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $10

The students will explore acting principles of drama, design a set, and develop characters through skits, improvisational games and backstage techniques. By the end of the series, the participants will create their own variety show of their favorite skits and improv learned through Little Players. Limited to 18 participants. View the sign up form. 

*The Kidz Variety Show will also be held at the Onida Elementary School on Sept. 2 and Oct. 13, 2018, from 2 to 5 p.m. View the sign up form. 

Monkeyin’ Around
Kindergarten to Second Grade Students
Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, 2019, at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $10

The students will do an in-depth study of three short plays over the course of four workshops. Each month, they will explore a different play to recognize set design, dramatize a character and explain ways to improve personal role playing. By looking at a set of plays, they will learn to express personal likes and dislikes about various dramatic works and recognize quality theater structures. Limited to 18 participants. View the sign up form.

For more information contact co-directors Michele Beeler and Hannah Carda at littleplayers605@gmail.com. 

Curious George and the Curious Meatball

Everyone’s favorite curious little monkey is back and better than ever. George only waited for an entire year for the annual All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day and is not about to let Phinneas T. Lightspeed ruin the fun. Watch as George sets off on a world-wide mission to save Chef Pisghetti’s meatball reputation and the Golden Meatball Festival. Storybook Land Theatre from Aberdeen will present "Curious George and the Curious Meatball" on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, 2 p.m., at the Grand Opera House in Pierre. Admission is only $1 at the door.

Auditions for Children's Production

Little Players will hold auditions for "Accidental Friends"  by Y York on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, 5-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in the Youth Room. Enter the doors off Capital Avenue and follow signs down the hall.

Auditions are open for fourth through sixth grade students.The full-length production has parts for 2 boys and 2 girls.

A 12-year-old boy recovering from a head injury sits alone in his hospital room wondering why his popular friends have not come to see him. But a geeky classmate does come, and together they learn about self-confidence, loyalty and personal integrity.

Production dates are March 16 and 17, 2018,  at 7:30 p.m. and March 18, 2018, at 2 p.m. For more information contact co-directors Michele Beeler and Hannah Carda at littleplayers605@gmail.com.

Plains Folk & Ramblin' Rangers Concert: October 21

Plains Folk and Ramblin' Rangers will hold a concert at the Grand Opera House Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Plains Folk from Pierre has evolved over the last 10 years, beginning as a simple wish to play and sing some of the old folk and gospel music many of us grew up on. The Ramblin' Rangers from Hot Springs offer some of the most smoothly rendered cowboy music in the southern Black Hills. Admission to the concert is a free will offering.

Pierre Players Lighting Workshop: June 10

Pierre Players Lighting Workshop: June 10

Lights and sound are two of the many important aspects to a Pierre Players' production. The subtle transition in lighting can change the mood of the moment. The right sounds can transport our audience into the setting of the story on the stage before them. Pierre Players will hold a lighting workshop on Saturday, June 10, 2017, 9 a.m. to noon. Become acquainted with our light board under the guidance of our new volunteer and veteran lighting designer, Steve Mezger. Connect with new and regular volunteers in local community theater. Learn the magic that happens behind the scenes of productions. This workshop is available to all ages and levels of experience at no cost. We just ask that you RSVP to info@pierreplayers.com so we can plan accordingly.