The theater is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life. |
In September 1986, the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Foundation announced a commitment to build a new home for the Bigfork Summer Playhouse when the existing 50-year old wooden structure was condemned by fire officials. Lack of a performance facility would have terminated a 28-year history of musical theater that had grown to be a mainstay of tourist activity in the Flathead Valley, as well as an opportunity for hundreds of professional and aspiring performers, designers, and technicians to perfect their craft. The Foundation began its campaign to raise $750,000 to build a new 435-seat, year-round facility that would house the Playhouse, as well as other cultural activities. There had never been a philanthropic effort of this type in the Flathead Valley. With a Bigfork population of less than 3,000 at that time, it was a tremendously optimistic project. In the end, over 800 people or organizations donated to this cause from 23 states and four foreign countries. The new theater opened June 18, 1988. In May 2009 the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Foundation completed a lobby renovation and expansion. The expanded lobby opens the building to activities beyond stage productions. The lobby is no longer just the entrance to the theater, but is its own entity where receptions, dinners, art exhibits and other events can be held. The spacious lobby, with its beautiful curved glass facade facing Electric Avenue, shimmering aurora borealis tiles on the pillars, and Tiffany-style lighting throughout, adds new elegance and sets the tone for the entire theater experience and has indeed expanded the range of events possible at The Center. Each year the foundation is committed to improving the Center which is considered a year round attraction for the entire Flathead Valley. In recent years the foundation has replaced the theater sound system, upgraded lighting in the theatre and lobby, and added video equipment to show movies, upgraded to LED stage lighting, added a new light board and repaired theater seating. The Foundation board is currently working on establishing a new parking lot on a nearby property on Grand Avenue to expand parking in the village Please help Support Us with an annual membership or by donating to help enhance and preserve our cultural heritage for years to come.
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