Black Hills Playhouse facts for kids
Black Hills Playhouse
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 Black Hills Playhouse
Location in South Dakota
Black Hills Playhouse
Location in the United States
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| Address | 24834 S. Playhouse Road |
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| Location | Custer, South Dakota, 57730 |
| Coordinates | 43°48′24″N 103°25′41″W / 43.8066°N 103.42797°W |
| Operator | Black Hills Playhouse Inc. |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1933 |
| Opened | 1946 |
| Builder | Civilian Conservation Corps |
The Black Hills Playhouse is a special theater located in Custer State Park in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. You can find it just off the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. It's one of America's oldest professional summer theaters that has been running non-stop for many years. People come here to enjoy amazing plays and musicals during the summer months.
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History of the Playhouse
The Black Hills Playhouse has a long and interesting history. It was first built in 1933 by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program that helped young men find jobs during the Great Depression. They built many parks and buildings across the country.
How it Started
The playhouse officially opened its doors on June 17, 1946. It was started by Dr. Warren M. Lee, a drama professor from the University of South Dakota. At first, plays were shown at the Coolidge Inn nearby.
Growing and Improving
The main theater building you see today was built in 1955. Later, between 1979 and 1982, new dorms were added for the actors and staff who work there. Over the years, different people have helped lead the playhouse, making sure it continues to be a great place for theater.
In 2011, people raised over $500,000 to make big improvements. The theater's roof was made stronger, and new safety systems were added. They also built a new dining hall and fixed up other areas like the snack bar.
Community Help
In 2012, a cool program called "Room Service" began. Volunteers "adopted" dorm rooms, meaning they helped fix them up. They gave their time and materials to make the rooms better for the actors. By 2013, almost all the rooms had been renovated!
In 2013, a new costume shop was built with help from the South Dakota National Guard and other groups. This is where all the amazing costumes for the shows are made and stored. Also, new equipment was installed in the theater to help with moving scenery and backdrops during performances.
Summer Shows and Auditions
The Black Hills Playhouse is connected with the University of South Dakota's College of Fine Arts. Every summer, the theater company puts on 4 to 5 different shows. These performances happen from June through the middle of August. If you're an aspiring actor, auditions are held in six different places every February. Professional designers, directors, and technical staff are hired each year to make sure the shows are top-notch.
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The old paint and scene shops are now used for props and costumes.
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A new rehearsal hall was built in 2007.
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New air conditioning units were added in 2008.
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The scene and paint shop, built in 2008, is known as the Barber Shop.
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The snack bar foundation was strengthened in 2011.
