BHCT History Project

Kelsye Gould, a senior at St. Thomas More High School, took on writing a history of Black Hills Community Theatre as her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. She could be seen often around the ARC as she sorted through old programs, pictures, and records to compile and publish a complete archival history. The history she has compiled also includes information on the first community theatre groups in Rapid City. She has sorted through endless records and has done an outstanding job of completing this task with what information she could gather.

Kelsye writes:

"It has been a tedious process, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. It's kind of like solving a mystery, having to piece together many different clues and bits of information. There is still much work to be done in the future, but I think we're off to a good start! The community of Rapid City has been fortunate to have such a great deal of talent throughout the years, and it is important that we preserve these stories. They say one must know one's past before knowing where one is going. Let us hope this can help us as we look forward to the future of theatre in our great community!"

Black Hills Community Theatre History—The Early Years

Community-produced theatre in Rapid City first began in the 1930’s when the Rapid City Branch of the American Association of University Women, under the direction

of Inda Avery, organized a Drama Group. They produced several one-acts, as well

as several children’s plays, such as Jack and the Bean Stalk, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, and Mary Poppins. These shows were performed at the Rapid City High School. The AAUW also sponsored plays by the traveling Clair Tree Major performers, a children’s theatre troupe.

In 1943, Polly Weedman took over Ms. Avery’s job as director of the AAUW’s study group plays. The first play they performed was Dough Girls. The show was so well received that Ms. Weedman was inspired to start a theatre in which community members could participate. Thus, she established Rapid City’s “Little Theatre.” Their first show was Tomorrow the World, performed on December 8, 1944. The “Little Theatre” continued to perform different shows throughout the years at the Rapid City High School.

In 1947, the “Little Theatre” group’s name was changed to “The Rapid City Theatre Guild.” In 1948, Mr. Floyd L. Sparks was hired as the Theatre Guild’s director. In 1951, Mr. John Tilton replaced Mr. Sparks as director until 1955. During this time, the Rapid City Theatre Guild continued performing at the Rapid City High School. However, in 1952 under Tilton’s direction, the Theatre Guild contracted with the Fair Board to rent the Alfalfa Palace building to serve as a permanent home. The Silver Whistle was the first show staged at the new “Palace Theatre” in October of 1952.

In 1953, the Rapid City Theatre Guild began calling itself the Rapid City Civic Theatre. In September of 1954, during National Civic Theatre week, Mayor Harry R. Johnson of Rapid City designated the Rapid City Theatre Guild as the official Civic Theatre of Rapid City. The 1954-55 season was performed at the City Auditorium due to an unaffordable increase in rent at the Alfalfa Palace. Ken Fisher then replaced Tilton as the Civic Theatre director for the 55-56 season, and shows were again staged at the Alfalfa Palace Theatre. Performances continued to be staged there, as well as at the Rapid City High School until 1958. Directors during this time included Gene Brooks, with professional experience in Hollywood, Italy, and the Far East, Tom Logan of the Sioux Falls Theatre Association, Mrs. Sam “Beanie” Mitchell, and Tom Russell, the last director to occupy a full-time position with the Civic Theatre group.

After 1958, records of only 2 shows produced by the Civic Theatre exist in the archives. School of Mines professor, Ray Beebe, directed A Visit to a Small Planet in 1959. In 1965, William McGrath staged Blithe Spirit at the Surbeck Center, under the sponsorship of the Rapid City Recreation Department.

After some nine years without an organized community theatre, several individuals decided it was time for a new theatre group to be formed. Stella and Allen Hilburn, Helen Griffiths, Rosemary Redick, and Alec Johnstone served as the incorporators of The Group Theatre, Inc. They held a formative meeting in May of 1968, and proposed the organization’s name be The Paha Sapa Players. Several days later, they changed the name to The Group Theatre. In order to participate in any production, one had to pay dues of $5. The first Group Theatre production was Barefoot in the Park, directed by Rapid City High School drama teacher, Dick Sethney, in August of 1968.

To view the printable lists of shows performed since 1944, when this all began, please click on the link:

Rapid City Little Theatre - circa 1944-1946

Rapid City Theatre Guild - circa 1947-1952

Rapid City Civic Theatre - circa 1953-1968

Group Theatre - circa 1968-1992

Black Hills Community Theatre - 1992 to present

Kelsye has put the shows in chronological order and included the date, title, director, and location of performance for each show, as well as a check list of what is in our archives from each show (program, photos, review, clippings). 

The shows with asterisks and in red have some part of their information missing, whether it is the date, director, or location. 

Also, it is important to note that only the main productions are included, not any special projects, Homemade Theatre shows, or Children's Theatre performances.

If you have any materials you would like to donate, any photos, programs, posters, newspaper articles, reviews, and/or any other materials that would help to fill in any of the blanks or if you know of something pertaining to the theatre that is not mentioned here, please feel free to email us at BHCT History.

Congratulations and great job, Kelsye Gould!!