Dressed as characters from Wicked, Mary Poppins, Grease, Phantom of the Opera, Singing in the Rain and other musicals, the anticipation was palpable among actors and supporters alike as they waited to hear the lineup for the Great Falls Theatre Company‘s 2024-2025 season.

“A lot of people ask, why theater. Why theater in Great Falls,” Amber Henning Griffith, company president, said during their Sept. 13 announcement party.

With so much entertainment available at the click of a button on screens, Henning Griffin said “my why is community. Theater makes community better. Theater is power. Theater has the power to break down walls. Theater unites people. The community is better economically, socially and better for our children. That is my why for the Great Falls Theatre Company. We have an amazing thing going in this community.”

Business Bites: News and Brews; Thursday night markets at new city pool; kite festival; The Music Man; Cushing Terrell acquires engineering firm; veteran commendations; games at the library; Paris Gibson Square gift; swim lesson registration; junior rangers

Last season, the company produced three shows: Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Steel Magnolias and the Music Man.

They sold 960, 616 and 1,244 tickets respectively.

Their season by the numbers included:

• 52 actors
• 25 musicians
• 52 sponsors
• 14 shows of three productions
• $3,875 raised during Give Great Falls

Jane Dattilo, 12, played Amaryllis in the Music Man in July.

She said she loves to act and her favorite productions art Matilda, Newsies and Music Man.

Great Falls Theatre Company opens Steel Magnolias on April 18

Jane said the company gives young actors a chance to perform and it’s “an amazing opportunity to get to do this.”

The company’s season is:

• The Quinn adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Dec. 12-14
• Comedy Night, a  night of nine comedic plays:  April 24-26
• Fiddler on the Roof: July 10-12 and July 17-19
• Rocky Horror Show, a season add-on, Oct. 31

Henning Griffith, company president, said that they’re going into this season “in a really great place. We’ve got momentum and community feedback has been great. We’re working to reach even more people and engage the community even further.”

The company held its first summer youth theater camp this year with about 17 participants.

Going into their third season, Henning Griffith said that they’ve found “people crave theater and a variety of theater” so they’re working to diversify their productions and making improvements on their backend to improve the patron experience.

Great Falls Theatre Company announces second season [2023]

This season, they’re offering season ticket packages for the first time, with three options, each with different perks, as well as new business sponsorship levels.

“I think we keep growing with every show we that we have,” she said, as well as growing their backstage crew and widening their pool to avoid burning people out working on every show.

Auditions for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are Sept. 24 and signups are available here.

Season tickets for the main stage productions are available here.