UPCOMING
BRAINERD COMMUNITY THEATRE
PRODUCTIONS
RENT is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson. Loosely based on the 1896 opera La bohème by Giacomo Puccini. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.
A Brainerd Community Theatre production
Contains profanity, suggestive and mature content - Viewer discretion advised
Recommended ages 16+
The Cast of RENT
Main Characters
Zachary McIlravy as Angel
CJ Nichols as Benny
Al Carney as Collins
Nicole Rothluetner as Joanne
Noah Barnhart as Mark
Sarah Larson as Maureen
Ahni Perez Krueger as Mimi
Layton Carlson as Roger
Featured Ensemble
Abi Swenson, Abby Pratt, Andy Ellison, Brody Schultz, Deanna Renea Schlagel, Jae Hoeschen,
Levi Mark Trygstad, Lydia Jendro, Lynn Ellison,
Mackenzie Papillon-Renford, Natalie Topete,
Phylipe Bell
Ensemble
Ava Viola Branstner, Brady Davison, Hailey Schmitt, Kenzy Pratt, Amalia Hancock, Samuel Schlagel,
Shae Shanks
About the
Brainerd Community Theatre
The Brainerd Community Theatre, part of the Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center, serves as a cultural hub for the Brainerd Lakes area, and enjoys a 50-year tradition of providing year-round theatre entertainment. Students and community members alike are welcome to be a part of the productions, both onstage and backstage. Productions are staged year-round, with a robust summer theatre program serving the resort population of the area.
Season Sponsors
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant,
thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s just for CLC students, right?
Not at all! As a community theatre we involve the entire community. Auditions are open to everyone. And we’d love to have you backstage, if being onstage is not your thing. Our shows are always a mix of community members, students, former students, and people of all ages.
You have to have a lot of acting experience to get a role, right?
Not at all! We love having first-time actors in our productions, along with seasoned performers. You have to start somewhere, so why not start with one of our productions.
It takes a lot of time, doesn’t it?
The short answer is: maybe. That depends on how much time you have to give. Rehearsals for our productions typically last anywhere from 4 to 5 weeks, with another two weekends of performances. We try to work with your schedule as much as we possibly can so that you can participate. The crews who run our shows are generally committed to three weeks of time. We respect your time. We understand you’re making a sacrifice of time to be with us. We think you’ll find it’s well worth it.
How do those actors memorize all those lines?
The one question most actors are asked. The answer, of course, is one sentence at a time.
I don’t want to act. What else have you got?
We are always glad to hear this question! For every actor on stage there are at least three people working behind the scenes to build scenery, paint it, hang it, find props, help with costuming, focus the lighting, run the controls, manage the stage, usher the audience….it takes an army! We’d love to have you enlist! You may rise to the rank of general!
Who do I contact if I want to join up, or just have more questions than these?
To be added to our audition announcement email list, or to ask about opportunities to usher; work backstage or help promote our work, contact our box office at [email protected] or at 218-855-8199.
Past Brainerd Community Theatre productions...
It's Murder Dontcha Know
by Mary Aalgaard
Based on the novel by Jeanne Cooney
Follow Doris Connor, a woman who moves from a hard life on a Minnesota farm to a quiet Scandinavian community, only to have her retirement plans interrupted by a series of crimes involving her children. Doris sets out to solve these cozy and quirky murder-mysteries in this charming tale.
It's Murder, Dontcha Know
Cast List
Mary Aalgaard, Doris
Julie Jo Larson, Grace
Barb McColgan, Rose
Bridger Collins, Tweety
Kayla Luhrs, Erin
Andy Ellison, Will
Mark Juel, Karl
Mark Ford, Dr. Betcher
Blake Lubinous, Dr. Osgood
Rich (Watson) Dreissig, Gustaf
CJ Nichols, Ed/Buck
Joanna Collins, Berta
Rhonda Schmidt, Gerti
Ellie Salo, Allie/Server
It's Murder, Dontcha Know
Yellow Tree Theatre Stage Reading - Osseo, Minnesota
A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens - A new adaptation by Patrick Barlow
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mr. Fezziwig, Barlow's A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation.
A Brainderd Community Theatre production
A Christmas Carol
Sponsored by:
Consolidated Telephone Company
A Christmas Carol
CAST LIST (in order of appearance)
Brian Rhett, Ebenezer Scrooge
Noah Barnhart, Actor Two
Abby Pratt, Actor Three
Kryston Wisely, Actor Four
Travis Chaput, Actor Five
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director, Amy Borash
Music Director, Mary Aalgaard
Stage Manager, Brady Davison
Set Designer, Tim Leagjeld
Lighting Designer, Heidi Eckwall
Costume Designer, Amy Borash
Props Coordinator, Matt Hill
Set Construction: Tim Leagjeld, Jacob Becker, Matt Hill
Producer, Joseph Yow
Photography: Sheila Boldt and Pine Haven Photography
Sound Board Operator, Jacob Becker
Spotlight Operators: Cora Starns, Henry Hultberg
Backstage Crew: Abi Swenson, Andy Ellison, Lynn Ellison
Fall 2024
Radium Girls
by D.W. Gregory
A Brainerd Community Theatre production
Radium Girls
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees.
"
Radium Girls may speak to our collective capacity for denial. But it also celebrates our individual courage." -The Daily Record
Radium Girls is Sponsored by:
Radium Girls Cast
Actor 1 - Abigayle Swenson
Actor 2 - Ava Branstner
Actor 3 - Abby Pratt
Actor 4 - Amy Borash
Actor 5 - Lynn Ellison
Actor 6 - Levi Trygstad
Actor 7 - Brady Davison
Actor 8 - Joey Haasken
Actor 9 - Andy Ellison
Actor 10 - Noah Barnhart
Fall 2024
The Ghost Light
by Liam Macik
A Brainerd Community Theatre
Table Reading
About The Ghost Light...
Immerse yourself in a gripping tale of art, legacy, and hidden secrets with our free staged reading of The Ghost Light. When a mysterious art historian arrives at a secluded vineyard, long-buried family secrets and a lost painting ignite a tense confrontation that could unravel everything.
Starring: Blake Lubinus, Charlie Johnson, Rich Dreissig, and Sarah Larson
Directed by Joey Yow
September 6 @ 7pm
Dryden Theatre/ CLC Brainerd Campus
Summer 2024
the PROM
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
THE PROM
CAST
LEAD ROLES
Abby Pratt (Olivia Keating)
Jana Johnson (Dee Dee Allen)
Jacob Hanson (Sheldon Saperstein)
Travis Chaput (Barry Glickman)
Alex Brucker (Angie)
Noah Barnhart (Trent Oliver)
Teagen Johnson (Emma)
Kryston Wiseley (Mrs. Greene)
Don Abbott (Mr. Hawkins)
Lydia Jendro (Kaylee)
Olivia Armstrong (Shelby)
Izabella Engholm (Alyssa)
Levi Trygstad (Nick)
Layton Carlson (Kevin)
ENSEMBLE
Rebecca Aanerud, Jacob Becker,
Jacob Beckmann,
Brynn Bestland,
Riley Dabbs,
Brady Davison,
Andy Ellison,
Joey Haasken,
Jenna Hanson,
Corissa Kerger,
Devin Knopf,
Randall Mitchell,
Ev Norberg,
Abby Pratt,
Emily Pratt,
Mackenzie Pratt,
Mackenzie Renford,
Jadyn Rust,
Deanna Schlagel,
Samuel Schlagel,
Brody Schultz
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director and Choreographer: Amy Borash
Vocal Director: Koreann Martin
Stage Manager: Arsen Engels
Set Designer: Tim Leagjeld
Lighting Designer: Heidi Eckwall
Producer: Joey Yow
Theatre Coordinator/Technician: Matt Hill
Photography: Sheila Boldt and Pine Haven Photography
Summer 2024
Disney's Frozen Jr.
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Disney Frozen Jr. Cast:
Lead Roles
Young Anna: Ameila Mauro
Young Elsa: Anna Slaughter
Middle Elsa: Brynn Bestland
Middle Anna: Ireland Heap
Elsa: Emali Jimenez
Anna: Lydia Jendro
Hans: Sam Kalthoff
Kristoff: Randall Mitchell
Sven: Jeremiah Slaughter
Oaken: Mackenzie Pratt
Olaf: Zachary McIlravy
Wesselton: Brody Schultz
King: Jeremiah Slaughter
Queen: Teagan Johnson
Bulda: Colton Armbrust
Pabbie: Izabella Engholm
Bishop: William Schmitz
Snow Court
Amelia Holbrook
Aubree Flowers
Brady Davison
Ella Reese
Emily Rioux
Irene Steinhauser
Jaxon Bunnis
Norah Quisberg
Olivia Opay
Ensemble
Butler: Caleb Bestland (A);
Gustin Sjostrand (B)
Cook: Ben Porter (B);
Emily Pratt (A)
Handmaiden: Emmalyn Borders (B);
Taryn Rosenberg (A)
Housekeeper: Chloe Menzel (A);
Marlowe Cotariu (B)
Royal Staff: Beckett Craine (A)
Hidden Folk
Brynn Bestland
Greyson Tanner (A)
Gwynn Moon (A)
Henry Defreece (A)
Henry Sjostrand (B)
Ireland Heap
Lauren Chock (B)
Lyric Mitchell (B)
Malakai Bestland (A)
Nora Wonders (B)
Teagan Johnson
Thaoden Leikvoll (B)
Oaken Family
Annabelle Johnston (A)
Bailey Kotzenmacher (A)
Chloe Menzel (A)
Gwendolyn Voller (B)
Kaitlyn Brenny (B)
Lily Wonders (B)
Paige Morris (A)
Paige Vacinek (B)
Serena Slaughter (A)
Teagan Johnson
Violet Pommerening (B)
Steward
Gustin Sjostrand (B)
Seth Sjostrand (A)
Summer Dancers
Amelia Mauro
Anna Slaughter
Elli Salo (B)
Ireland Heap
Kylie Wells (A)
Lily Wonders (B)
Paige Selisker (A)
Sarah Meyer (A)
Townspeople
Bailey Kotzenmacher (A)
Ceci Morris (A)
Elli Salo (B)
Elsie Anderson (B)
J
uno Paine (A)
Kaitlyn Brenny (A)
Lily Wonders (B)
Paige Vacinek (B)
Serena Slaughter (B)
Sicellia Daniels (B)
Zoe Howard (A)
Production Team
Director and Choreographer: Amy Borash
Vocal Director: Jacob Hanson
Stage Manager: Noah Barnhart
Set Designer: Tim Leagjeld
Lighting Designer: Heidi Eckwall
Costume Designers: Kevin Doheny and Amy Borash
Props Coordinator: Amy Borash
Producer: Joey Yow
Photography: Sheila Boldt and Pine Haven Photography
Sound Board Operator: Jacob Becker
Music and Sound Effects Operator: Jana Johnson
Spotlight Operator: Cora Starns
Backstage Crew: Travis Chaput;
Joey Haasken;
Kryston Wiseley
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
AUGUST: Osage County
Cast
Mary Aalgaard - Mattie Fae
Olivia Armstrong - Jean
Baird Brutscher - Sheriff Gilbeau
Liz Davies - Violet
Blake Lubinus - Steve
Meghan Merrill - Johnna
Marc Oliphant - Charles
Brian Rhett - Little Charles
Karla Shepherd-Johnson - Ivy
Patrick Spradlin - Beverly
Shawna Sylvester - Barbara
Kryston Wisely - Karen
Kevin Yeager - Bill
Something Rotten!
Cast
Minstrel/Bard – Levi Trygstad
Nick Bottom – Travis Chaput
Nigel Bottom – Noah Barnhart
Shakespeare – Baird Brutscher
Nostradamus – Aaron Selly
Bea – Sarah Larson
Ophelia – Sharon Hartley
Portia – Abby Pratt
Lord Clapham & Master of Justice – Rich (Watson) Dreissig
Brother Jeremiah – Andy Ellison
Female Featured Dancers & Additional Roles:
Emali Jiminez – Featured Dancer
Kryston Wiseley – Psychic Woman, Helena, Eye Patch Woman
Lydia Jendro – Woman in Crowd
Mackenzie Papillon-Renford - Miranda
Olivia Armstrong – Waitress, Panicked Woman
Rachel Martin – Astrologer
Bards & Additional Roles: (*indicates Featured Dancer)
*Brady Westholter – Man in Crowd, Footman
CJ Nichols – Peter Quince
*Devin Knopf – Valet, Robin
Joey Haasken – Messenger, Doorman, Horatio
Joseph Harmon – Lead Man, Foreman
*Phyl Bell – Tom Snout, Francis Flute
*Zachary McIlravy – Featured Dancer
Ensemble:
Amber Kopp – Brother Jeremiah’s Wife (Puritan)
Ava Branstner
Jocelyn Aleman
Joelle Kelly
Lynn Ellison
Mackenzie Pratt
Riley Dabbs
Production Team:
Amy Borash – Director and Choreographer
Arsen Engels – Stage Manager and Props
Lydia Jendro – Dance Captain
Tim Leagjeld – Set Designer
Joey Yow – Lighting Designer / Producer
Sharon Hartley – Costume Design
Sheila Boldt and Pine Haven Photography - Photography
Production Crew:
Jacob Beckman – Sound Engineer
Ronnie Villa - Carpenter
Cora Starns – Running Crew
CLC Theatre Technicians:
Jacob Becker
Matt Hill
CLC Theatre Work-Study
Koray Alici,
Courtney Lane,
Caitlin Peters
ASL Interpretation Provided by Earth Angels
PUFFS
Winter 2024
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Winter Wonderettes
Fall 2023
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Silent Sky
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Brainerd Community Theatre
Scenes from Kinky Boots
Summer 2023
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Brainerd Community Theatre
Scenes from 9 to 5
January 2023
Photography by Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Photography
Brainerd Community Theatre
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Fall 2022
Photography by Maren Martin
Brainerd Community Theatre
A Christmas Carol
December 2022
Photography by Maren Martin
Rehearsal scenes from Sister Act Summer 2022:
Photography by Rachel Martin
Clarence Darrow rehearsal images Spring 2022:
Photography by John Erickson, Art Matters Gallery and Studio
Patrick Spradlin as Clarence Darrow
Elf - The Musical, Cast Rehearsal Fall 2022:
Photography by John Erickson, Art Matters Studio and Gallery
Cast images from Wait Until Dark...
photography by John Erickson, Art Matters Studio and Gallery
Maren (Goff) Martin as Susan
Kevin Yeager as Roat
Nick Kory as Mike
Brainerd Community Theatre's productions of 'Amadeus', 'Elf - The Musical' and 'Wait Until Dark' are recipients of grant funding provided by: Five Wings Arts Council
Brainerd Community Theatre Company
2021-2022 Season
The BCT company hails from towns throughout the area. “We have members from Brainerd and Baxter, of course, but we also have several from Little Falls, Crosby, Pillager, Staples, Crosslake, Jenkins, Pine River, Nisswa, Fort Ripley, Breezy Point, Merrifield, Buffalo, and Minneapolis,” said Patrick Spradlin, BCT Director.
BCT’s season opens on October 21 with the suspense thriller ‘Wait Until Dark.’ The cast for the production includes Lily Cameron, Dave Endicott, Macy Judd, Nick Kory, Maren Martin, Brian Rhett, and Kevin Yeager. Spradlin will direct.
‘Elf: The Musical’ will premiere on December 9, directed by Travis Chaput. The cast includes Phyl Bell, Jesse Brutscher, Ryan Deblock, Jake Denning, Lindsey Derry, Mya Frank, Peyton Freeman, Jaydon Friedel, Lydia Jendro, Cy Johnson, Jana Johnson, Macy Judd, Rachael Kline, Maren Martin, Rachel Martin, Katie Nelsen, Regina Nelsen, Marc Oliphant, Maureen Paulus, Melissa Peterson, Abby Pratt, Emily Pratt, Mackenzie Pratt, Brian Rhett, Martha Rustad, Elli Salo, Rhonda Schmidt, Anika Seitzer, Attly Speer, Krystin Wiseley, and Lauren Yeager.
‘Amadeus,’ a drama based on the last 10 years of Mozart’s life, will open on February 10 under the direction of Spradlin with a cast of Isaak Anderson, Phyl Bell, Deb Binda, Gary Binda, Alan Bock, Brianna Engels, Sharon Hartley, Larissa Hynes, Bri Keran, Kevin Klawitter, Nick Kory, Lisa LeBlanc, Maren Martin, Matt Munoz, Shelly Munoz, C.J. Nichols, Marc Oliphant, Mike Paulus, Nicole Rothleutner, Erik Sanbeck, Patti Scott, and Kevin Yeager.
The history-based drama ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ will conclude the season when it opens on April 21. Directed by Beth Selinger, the cast is comprised of Isaak Anderson, Alan Bock, Jesse Brutscher, Dave Endicott, Mya Frank, Jaydon Friedel, Macy Judd, Jenny Kiffmeyer, Nick Kory, Marc Oliphant, Mike Paulus, Rhonda Schmidt, Rebecca Timmins, and Kevin Yeager.
The creative team for the company consists of Heidi Eckwall (lighting design), Tim Leagjeld and George Marsolek (scenic design), Dawn Krautbauer, Heather Pearson, and Ruthie Gmeinder (costume design), Curtis Jendro (sound and video design), Gina Singer (specialty props), Amy Borash (choreographer), and Koreann Martin (vocal direction). Lorri Jager is company manager.
Photograph and BCT photography by John Erickson, Art Matters Studio and Gallery
Brainerd Community Theatre past productions...
'The Odd Couple' by Neil Simon
'Talking With' by Jane Martin
'Scotland Road' by Jeffrey Hatcher
Past productions continued...
2020-21 Season:
Talking With
Scotland Road
The Marveolous Wonderettes
Sh-Boom! LIfe Could Be A Dream
2019-20 Season:
A Long Trip - BCT's first live streamed play
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
All My Sons
Mamma Mia!
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
2018-19 Season:
The Sunshine Boys
A Few Good Men
Boeing, Boeing
Bill W. and Dr. Bob
The Elephant Man
Church Basement Ladies
2017-18 Season
Play On!
The Woman in Black
Mr. Burns-A Post Electric Play
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
Young Frankenstein-The Mel Brooks Musical
Neil Simon's "Rumors"
2016-17 Season:
Nunsense
Clarence Darrow
Flowers for Algernon
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Hansel and Gretel
2015-16 Season:
Steel Magnolias
Bill W. and Dr. Bob
The Seafarer
Relatively Speaking
Monty Python’s Spamalot
2014-15 Season:
The Foreigner
The Mousetrap
The Servant of Two Masters
Blithe Spirit
The (Almost) Totally True Story of Hansel & Gretel
2013-14 Season:
The Rimers of Eldritch
I Hate Hamlet
Jack the Ripper, Monster of Whitechapel
The Weir
Dearly Departed
2012-13 Season:
The Glass Menagerie
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Season’s Greetings
The Diary of Anne Frank
Brighton Beach Memoirs