Alpine Theatre Project facts for kids

Alpine Theatre Project (ATP) is a special kind of theater group in Whitefish, Montana. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it uses its money to help its mission, not to make a profit. ATP puts on exciting musicals, plays, and concerts. They also teach theater skills and share the magic of performing arts with students in Montana's beautiful Flathead Valley.

Discover Alpine Theatre Project

How ATP Started

Alpine Theatre Project began in December 2004. It was started by three actors: David Ackroyd, Betsi Morrison, and Luke Walrath. These actors had successful careers on stage, in movies, and on TV before moving to Montana. They wanted to create a professional theater company in the beautiful outdoors of Northwest Montana.

ATP's goal is to "imagine without boundaries." This means they want to be very creative. They aim to create amazing professional shows and offer great arts education. Their mission is to inspire everyone involved: the audience, the artists, and the next generation of performers. Many artists who work with ATP have performed in over 190 Broadway shows. They have also won many awards, including 4 Tony Awards, 7 Emmy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards, and 1 Academy Award.

How ATP Is Organized

Alpine Theatre Project is guided by two groups of people. There is an 11-member honorary board and a 12-member board of directors. These boards help make important decisions for the company. ATP also has a small full-time staff of 2 people. They hire more staff for different seasons throughout the year to help with shows and other activities.

Where ATP Performs

ATP performs its biggest shows at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. This is a large auditorium with 454 seats. It is located inside the Whitefish Middle School and is owned by the Whitefish School District. The space was updated with $5.5 million in donations from the community.

ATP's main office is in a place called "The Garage." This used to be a car repair shop! It's located at 6464 Highway 93 South in Whitefish. At The Garage, ATP holds its Academy classes for students. They also put on smaller, more casual shows there. The Garage is also where ATP hosts its yearly "Giving Tuesday Live Stream Thank-a-thon." During this event, they thank their supporters, show examples of their work, and raise money.

Working with Unions

Alpine Theatre Project works with several professional theater unions. This means they follow agreements that protect actors, designers, and directors. These unions include:

• Actors' Equity Association - This is the national union for professional stage actors and managers.
• United Scenic Artists - This union represents theatrical designers and scenic artists.
• Stage Directors and Choreographers Society - This union is for stage directors and choreographers.

Exciting Programs and Shows

Summer Season Fun

Alpine Theatre Project puts on most of its shows during the summer. These shows include full musicals, concerts, and plays. They also create original productions. One special program is "Outside the Box." These are play readings performed in unique places that fit the story of the play.

Yuletide Affair

Every December, ATP presents the Yuletide Affair. This is an annual holiday concert that changes its style each year. It features holiday songs and funny skits. Many of ATP's regular artists perform in this show. Since the first "Yuletide Affair" in 2004, every show through 2019 was completely sold out!

Working with the Glacier Symphony

In January 2007, ATP started working with the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. Together, they present classic musicals. These shows are performed with a full symphony orchestra, making them very grand and special.

Other Special Events

Alpine Theatre Project also puts on other concerts and fundraisers throughout the year. These events have different themes and styles. They take place in various communities around the Flathead Valley. ATP has even been the first place to show two brand-new plays. One was "Another Side of the Island," starring Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis. The other was "Stories by Heart," starring Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe Award winner, John Lithgow.

Learning and Growing with ATP

Alpine Theatre Project Kids! (ATP Kids!)

ATP Kids! is a comedy group with six main members. They all work together to create and produce their sketches and web series. Everyone in the group helps with writing, acting, designing sets, directing, producing, and providing technical support for their videos.

Internships for Students

The ATP Internship program started in 2005. It gives high school and college theater students a chance to learn hands-on. Interns work with ATP professionals during the summer season. They help in every part of putting on a show, including office work. Students can even earn college credit for their internships.

Past Productions

2004

• Yuletide Affair 1

2005

• My Fair Lady
• K2
• Yuletide Affair 2

2006

• Camelot
• Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• Yuletide Affair 3

2007

• The Sound of Music with the Glacier Symphony & Chorale
• Godspell
• I Love You, You're, Perfect, Now Change
• Moonlight & Magnolias
• Dracula
• Yuletide Affair 4

2008

• West Side Story with the Glacier Symphony & Chorale
• Pete 'n' Keely
• Another Side of the Island starring Olympia Dukakis
• Yuletide Affair 5

2023

• Million Dollar Quartet
• Cats the musical
• Rocky Horror Picture Show, performed as a shadow-cast where actors mimic the movie on screen
• Yuletide Affair Kids
• Yultide Affair 20

2024

• Broadway Concert Series
• ATP Kids: The Wizard Of Oz
• Yuletide Affair 21