HONORING OUR PAST IN MEMORIAM

Welcome to BHP’s 75th Diamond Jubilee! Please enjoy Honoring our Past—In Memoriam

Jennie May

The BHPAA welcomes you to Honoring our Past-In Memoriam. We are celebrating the 75th Diamond Jubilee Reunion and first Virtual Reunion! We are grateful to honor those who have given so much to the Black Hills Playhouse. The tributes the alumni share remind us that the theatre is greater than the sum of its parts. George Bernard Shaw writes: “The theatre can be a factory of thought, a prompter of conscience, an elucidator of social conduct, and a temple to the ascent of man.” Shaw’s lofty and often unrealized “temple to the ascent of man” is near impossible in a 10-12 day rehearsal process! Strains even the best. You don’t always hit the mark, though you learn, share, and grow from the moment you enter the spirit of the play. I just unearthed a note Jill Swank wrote in l987 answering my inquiries about how the summer was progressing. Jill’s response:

Dear Girlfriend, I have been thinking of you and missing you so. We are well, if injured.   Justin Speck badly injured his ankle and Sunday Mikal (Kraklio) fell on a barrel and really hurt his kidney. Still Hot. “Pirates” is going in HARD.  Too big.   Skylar misses you, too, Cassie, not so much.   Acting with you and Tyler was BEST. Jill xoxo

Theatre is a great test. You learn how to work together. “Teamwork is the answer to the pressure cooker of summer stock – you get to know people so fast!” exclaimed Joe Forbes on a recent call. These working relationships are likened to forged carbon steel which has excellent strength qualities, can withstand high amounts of stress, impact, and load. Please enjoy reviewing these “forged like steel” heart felt testimonies. The process of theatre works best when you live embracing Bill Anderson’s philosophy:

“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them; keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.” George Eliot

The BHPAA is beginning to scratch the surface of honoring the rich relationships forged at the BHP. The following examples illustrate the strength of our 75-year history. Please help us continue these important stories of gratitude. Email ideas to: jenmen@frontiernet.net

End the day with a Play. Thank you, Doc Lee!

Jennie May Donnell, Vice President BHPAA

BHP 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2018