Renovation of the MSU Summer Theatre Amphitheater – Thanks!
Dr. Steven W. Shirley
President, Minot State University
Published September 10, 2022 in the Minot Daily News
In July 2020, I wrote a column in the Minot Daily News about the early stages of our fundraising campaign to renovate Minot State University’s Summer Theatre Amphitheater. At that time we were focused on a renovation costing approximately $1.5 million. Fast forward 26 months with a radically different world that has been disrupted by a global pandemic, major supply chain issues, and historic inflation, and the result is a dramatic escalation in the overall cost of the project.
As the renovations are now nearly complete, it is time to extend a sincere word of THANKS to those who helped make this project possible. Due to substantial cost increases, the project nearly doubled to $2.8 million. Yet, underscoring what a wonderful and incredibly generous community in which we live, donors stepped up to ensure the project’s success. The renovations were entirely supported and funded through gifts to the MSU Development Foundation thanks to the kindness of our community!
The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) supported this project early on with a $500,000 gift, one of the largest gifts in MACF’s distinguished history, to dramatically modify the plaza at the entrance of the amphitheater. We are so thankful and grateful to the generosity of MACF, its Board of Directors, and Community Investment Advisors for their support of this project.
Additionally, a major gift was announced earlier this year from MSU alum and Minot native Josh Duhamel; the amphitheater stage is now known as the Josh Duhamel Stage – a fitting tribute to Josh and his successful acting and directing career. The beautiful new space overlooking the seating area and providing incredible views of the stage is the Hook & Ladder deck – thanks to the generosity of Hook & Ladder Winery and long-time MSU supporters Clint Severson and Conni Ahart. The driveway leading up to the amphitheater is now known as Drive Ryan Way and has been upgraded to provide a drop-off zone and handicap parking thanks to the kindness of Ryan Family Dealerships. The dressing rooms backstage are all new and now provide a much better experience for our actors, thanks to MSU alumni Richard and Stephanie Strom. Thanks to the terrific support of SRT, the ticket booth has been completely renovated. In addition, the MSU Development Foundation, the MSU Board of Regents, the estate of Doris Slaaten, Minot Junior Golf, Hess Corporation, Jim & Peggy McIntyre, Ron & Duska LaCount, Dot & Randy Henke, and countless individuals and businesses have ensured completion of the entire project. THANK YOU to all who helped make this project a success!
A few final upgrades will soon be made including a canopy over the stage, wheelchair lift, and donor recognition board. The end result is a substantial community asset for which our entire region can rightfully be proud. MSU now features one of the finest outdoor performing spaces in the upper Midwest. The amphitheater built into the north hill of campus creates a wonderful setting in a natural, outdoor environment. This past summer, nearly 10,000 spectators attended four different theatrical performances spread across 28 nights. Summer Theatre is a rich tradition at MSU that has enhanced the cultural vitality in Minot for nearly 60 years, and we now have a facility to ensure the tradition continues for decades. Accessibility is enhanced, the spectator experience is improved, the amenities for the actors and participants are upgraded, and the overall aesthetics of the amphitheater has been enriched.
With these improvements, we also look forward to utilizing it during more of the year – a few weeks ago Community Rocks was held in the amphitheater with a major fundraiser supporting the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, and later this month a concert will be held there in conjunction with MSU’s annual NotStock Arts festival. This facility is an important component to our quality of life offerings in the Magic City, and the generosity of so many to support these renovations has ensured its long-term future. Thank You!
As always…..Go Beavers!
