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FAIRMONT- The Fairmont Opera House has completed much of its schedule for its upcoming season, including its summer community theater show.
This summer's adult community theater performance will be “The Sound of Music.” It will be directed by Fairmont High School English teacher, Sara Gudahl, who's previously directed many of the high school's theater productions. High school music instructors Katie Hoaglund and Molly Bleess will also direct the production's eight to 12 piece pit orchestra.
Executive Director Blake Potthoff said the instructors' connections to high school music groups will help solidify participation in the pit orchestra, but stressed that participation in the ensemble was open to all.
"Any skill, any instrument we're trying to get people involved," said Potthoff.
The decision to perform “The Sound of Music” was made by the Opera House's program advisory committee which involved input from members of its board and community members.
"We landed on the Sound of Music because it's a classic show that we haven't done in quite a while; it's been 15 years since we did it the last time. We know it's a popular show people enjoy and we want to use that as a way to get people back into the facility," said Potthoff.
In addition to actors and musicians, Potthoff noted the production will also be looking for volunteers interested in helping with costumes, set construction, backstage operations and more.
Auditions for the show will begin on May 11 and 13 and callbacks will be held on May 17. Rehearsals will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on weekday evenings and some weekends from June 5 to July 26. Performances will be held on July 20 through July 22, July 27 through July 29, July 23 and July 30.
Like last year, this year's youth theater program will precede the adult performances. This year the opera house's youth camps for grades 3-6 and 6-12 will be merged into a single group for grades 3-12 which will be performing a junior version of Disney's “The Little Mermaid.” The show will be directed by Genesis Classical Academy teacher Ellen Germain. Potthoff cited the show's larger cast as a reason for the combined camps.
The Opera House will also hold its k-2 youth theater camp, but has yet to determine what show will be performed.
"That camp is really focused on introducing and building skills like teamwork, painting, (lighting) and sound. It's really an educational focus," said Potthoff.
Another component of this year's programming will be a series of quarterly fundraising events which will consist of a catered dinner, performance and silent auction. These events will only seat roughly 50 people and the performers will not be announced in advance.
"It will be something really high quality, engaging and entertaining; something new or different on stage," said Potthoff.
Outside of community theater the Opera House has formed a partnership with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra and is currently planning to have a portion of the ensemble perform selections from George Frideric Handel's Messiah in December. This relationship with the symphony orchestra is similar to the relationship the Opera House has with Mankato Ballet Company wherein the ensemble can be expected to perform semi-regularly at the Opera House. Other new shows in the works include a performance from the comedy stunt dog show Puppy Pals Live.
In addition to this new programming the Opera House’s upcoming performances include dueling piano duo Dueces Wild, a returning performance from the interactive art show Artrageous and Mick Sterling's Grand Ole Opry Christmas. Dates for these shows have yet to be made final, but will be revealed in the next six weeks.