COVID-19 UPDATE: All shows are temporarily suspended until further notice. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and past patronage. We are looking forward to stage lights and costume changes, late night rehearsals and providing theater for the Baraboo area again as soon as it is safe to do so. We miss you too!
INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST LIFE TIME MEMBER:
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A memoir by Mike Powers…
I grew up near Devil’s Lake, but as to my cultural sophistication, it might as well have been Timbuktu. Baraboo Theatre Guild, a relatively young troupe, was NOT on my radar in the slightest. But, one day in high school, Ron Smith, BHS band director, asked if I would like to play french horn in an orchestra for this thing called “Oklahoma”. I thought, “Well, this can’t go well.” Remember that old musical theater song that goes: “...Four weeks, you rehearse and rehearse. Three weeks, and it couldn’t be worse. One week, will it ever be right?” Well, that was my experience. All this smart-aleck high school kid could think was “sloppy, disorganized, no set, no lights, terrible singing, terrible acting - doesn’t stand a chance.” Then, as the songwriter says: “out o’ the hat, it’s that big first night!” I was never so shocked. Lights - wow, sets - wow, the singing was great, the actors were stars, and the orchestra sounded like Broadway. And we were even invited to the cast party - tinkling champagne glasses, caviar, and stars in my eyes. Magic. I was absolutely, utterly infected. BTG began my lifelong obsession with musical theater. I’ve now seen hundreds of professional shows in New York, London, Chicago, and many more places. I’ve directed over three dozen musicals, done vocal and orchestral direction for many, acted and sung in chorus, minor, and major roles, and played in orchestras. Most important, I’ve had the opportunity to infect hundreds of high school students and community members with that same virus I got from the Baraboo Theater Guild. I’m not ancient, but I’m in the position of being there early on, watching the old guard pass the torch to my generation, being there as we passed it on to the next generation, and still seeing another generation in the wings ready to leap onstage. Mike Powers |
Sponsor a show!If you or your business are interested in sponsoring one of our shows, please contact us on Facebook Messenger for details or email us at producer@barabootheatreguild.org!
https://www.facebook.com/barabootheatreguild/ |
Get Involved!
We would love for you to join us at our monthly meetings. They are held at the Baraboo Arts Building in Baraboo. The entrance is in the back of the building. Anyone is welcome!
Do you want to Direct or propose a future show? CLICK HERE. |