Regional Theatre of the Palouse

  • Pullman, Washington
Artistic director(s)
John Rich

Regional Theatre of the Palouse (RTOP) is an established non-profit theater company based in Pullman, Washington. It was founded in 2007 by award-winning Managing Artistic Director John Rich. Its mission statement explains its goal: "make a positive difference in the Palouse region by providing an outlet for creative expression through theater arts". RTOP provides theatrical entertainment in the form of play, musicals, and theater workshops. Productions occur primarily in the RTOP Theatre. Past performances have been held at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum and venues across the Palouse.

History

Regional Theatre of the Palouse divides the presentations with seasons most of them were sold out, during the year 2015 the first show of the year was “Little Shop of Horrors”, that show like the others was sold out between February 19 to March 1 the time that the show was on available to see, during the year 2015, the theatre had productions like “Mary Poppins”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Venus in Fur”, “Sweeny Todd” and finish with “Holiday Memories” during all December. ¡In 2016, the theater started with the production of the “I Do! I Do!” on February and finish with “Adams Family”, but at the beginning of that year the theater could establish and develop a Summer Teen Workshop, but also a short time later the Theater open workshops for Teen and Senior and opened free admissions for seniors of the community for that reason the productions staff had an increase in the number of teens and senior. The rest of the productions as usually were sold out and gave standing ovations. The year 2017 was really important with a lot of changes in the theater, new productions starting with “A Funny Things Happened on the way to the Forum” and finishing the year with the musical “A Christmas story”, but also the theater created new programs and more sold out productions also the costume and marketing internship program was added to the theater, the summer teen workshop stated to be guided by senior professionals, and for the half of the year the half of the performances included senior patrons. The year of 2018 was a year of growth, change, new programs and productions. RTOP ended the 2018 season with a traditional music theater standard Fiddler on the roof. The season started in June with summer camp workshops and educational programs that continue to grow. RTOP increased management talent through the ongoing internship program, currently offering internships in costume, marketing, and event planning. Continued with the 39 steps as our After Dark series followed by Disney’s Newsies in November. Auditions were held in November for two shows of the season, Cabaret and Mamma Mia! It continues to grow in hopes of keeping the performing arts alive and thriving on the Palouse. The year of 2019 opened up with Cabaret followed up by the adored movie musical Mamma Mia! This was a year of growth, and stellar productions! ¡Regional Theatre of the Palouse ended the 2019 season with the dance party musical Mamma Mia! The theater camps were a joy and reached their maximum capacity this year. For the theater, 2020 began with high hopes. The theater opened the season with the delightful award-winning Broadway musical, She Loves Me, which boasted a successful pairing of professional and regional talent. The theater were so looking forward to their season finale, Thoroughly Modern Millie, which included another star-studded cast, when it was stopped in its tracks by COVID-19. RTOP had to pivot, in order for the theatre to forge ahead. And that they did! With the help provided by charitable giving, grant sourcing, and grassroots fundraising, they were able to keep their stage lights burning brightly and to further their mission, which is to promote the arts and art education through quality theatre. Technology enabled them to present their summer camps via recorded video. The theater did the same with their seasonal performance workshops. A gift to RTOP will have immediate and visible impact here, where they live, for you and others like Colton. Your gift will keep ticket prices at a minimum, help expand their donor-funded scholarship program, and further bring high-quality professional productions to their area which otherwise would go without. Donors are recognized by name on their website, in each show program, and may choose how their gifts will be used – for costumes, lighting, props, education, or any other area of need. With your help they look forward to a bright season at RTOP! The Regional Theater of the Palouse hope you will make a contribution today, so that the shows may go on. To give, please use the enclosed donation form or call 509.334.0750. Thank you for your support, they couldn’t do it without you!.

RTOP Productions

Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum

  • The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure (August 2007)
  • Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure (September 2008)
  • Annie get your Gun by Irving Berlin; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure (September 2009)

RTOP Theatre

  • Seussical the Musical by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure (April, 2008)
  • I remember Mama by Thomas Meehan; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure (December 2008)
  • Cabaret by Joe Masteroff; Director: John Rich, musical director: Kelly Barnum (March 2009)
  • The Trouble with Angels by Jane Trahey; Director: Joseph Monohon (May 2009)
  • Willy Wonka by Roald Dahl; Director: John Rich (November 2009)[1]
  • Enchanted April by Peter Barnes; Director: AnnaSophia Villeanueva
  • Guys and Dolls by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure
  • Gypsy: A Musical Fable by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim; Director: Joseph Monohon, musical director: Tina McClure
  • White Christmas by Irving Berlin; Director: John Rich, musical director: Tina McClure
  • The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett; Director: John Rich

2011-12 Season

2012-13 Season

2013-14 Season

2014-15 Season

2015-16 Season

2016-17 Season

2017-18 Season

2018-19 Season

Stardust Memories

2019-20 Season

2020-21 Season

Canceled due to COVID-19

2021-22 Season

Musical Reviews

  • Oktoberfest by Nancy Downen Wexler; Director: John Rich (October 2007)

RTOP Production Stages

Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum

Previously known as Friel Court, the Beasley Coliseum opened in 1973 in Pullman, Washington.[citation needed] It is a multi-purpose facility on the Washington State University campus. It holds as many as 12,500 people in total, although the seating only allows up to 2,500 during RTOP productions.

RTOP Theatre

The RTOP Theatre located in the historical downtown district of Pullman, was remodeled in 2007 from a 1920s storefront brick building converting a retail space into a 75-seat venue.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Janel Brown "‘Willy Wonka’ musical brings new life to an old favorite" The Daily Evergreen November 9, 2009 http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/30053

External links

  • Regional Theatre of the Palouse official web site
  • Regional Theatre of the Palouse on MySpace
  • RTOP article in The Argonaut
  • RTOP article in The Daily Evergreen