About Us

Black Hills Community Theatre (BHCT) was incorporated in South Dakota in 1968 under the name of Group Theatre and it is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable tax exempt organization. Our mission is to infuse the Black Hills Region with enthusiasm for all aspects of theatre by providing quality theatrical opportunities and productions for the region.

During its first five years of operation, BHCT productions were presented wherever a space could be found . . . schools, church buildings and dinner clubs in Rapid City. In 1974, Group Theatre moved into the theatre space in the newly constructed Dahl Fine Arts Center at 713 7th Street in Rapid City. In 1992, the name was changed to Black Hills Community Theatre, reflecting a commitment to area wide participation. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the Artistic Directors included Gayle Forsberg, Graham Thatcher, Karen Kinney, Patrick McCusker and Steve Hinkle.  Merritt Olsen served as Managing Artistic Director from 1990 - 2000 and Eric Johnson from 2000 to 2005.  Anna Marie Thatcher served as Interim Executive Director from 2005 to 2006 and Angela McKie served as Executive Director from 2007 - 2009. The current Managing Artistic Director is Dennis W. Gleason.

Feeling the need for additional space, in 1995 Black Hills Community Theatre partnered with the Allied Arts Fund Drive, the Black Hill Symphony and the Rapid City Children's Chorus to build the Arts Resource Center at 1202 East St. Francis Street in Rapid City.  This building now houses the Administrative offices, Scene Shop, Costume Shop and Rehearsal Studios for Black Hills Community Theatre.  Performances were presented at the Hotel Alex Johnson for the 07-08 season and will be presented at the new theatre site in the Rushmore Mall, next to JC Penney's for the 08-09 season.

The season includes five main stage productions, a Dinner Theatre fundraiser, shows by Cherry Street Players (BHCT"S children's theatre troupes), and a number of other special projects, classes and workshops throughout the year.  Black Hills Community Theatre also operates a Costume Shop, which is open to the public for costume rentals throughout the year.

A fourteen member Board of Directors governs Black Hills Community Theatre.  The staff includes a Managing Director, an Administrative Assistant, a Technical Director, an Education and Outreach Director, a Costume Shop Manager and a Box Office Manager.  All other positions - Directors, Actors, Designers and all other production and artistic personnel - are filled by community volunteers with a love of theatre.

We welcome your participation, energy and new ideas! Volunteers are needed to be on stage and back stage, actors, to work on production crews and to serve on committees or the board.  Check out the Volunteer Information and find the list of many opportunities available. If you want to get involved, you are invited to join us and become a part of the fun at Black Hills Community Theatre … where "Community" is our middle name!