GRAND OPENING: HELENA AVENUE THEATRE
Bards of the Big Sky
SEPTEMBER 16–26, 2021
* Bards of the Big Sky is a unique and entertaining blend of original plays written by Montana playwrights, Jay Kettering, Pamela Jamruszka Mencher, and Cynthia Webb, coupled with lively and original music by Bozeman musician, John Hosking. The Montana Playwrights Network is opening its new theatre, the Helena Avenue Theatre at 1319 Helena Avenue in Helena, MT with performances of Bards of the Big Sky. Performances are September 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., with two matinees on September 19 & 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased online at www.montanaplaywrights.org; or call or text 406-235-0353 to make reservations.
The Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT) is the home for the Montana Playwrights Network (MPN), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in Montana. The Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT) is available to individuals, businesses and organizations to rent to present performances, recitals, and other special events.
MPN was formed to provide a forum focusing on story as expressed through a variety of formats including but not limited to playwriting, storytelling, poetry, history, non-fiction, essays, and memoirs. We’re looking to connect with writers, storytellers, teachers, performers, theatre companies, libraries, book clubs, and businesses that are interested in storytelling as a way to build communities across Montana.
Meet the "Bards of the Big Sky"
Jay Kettering earned his BA in English/creative writing at the University of Montana in 1982 and is currently a working writer living in Missoula. His three-part radio series, "Notes From The Huntley Project," was produced by Montana Public Radio. To date, he has written four plays for the Montana Repertory Theatre’s Educational Outreach Tour, including "Raised in the Saddle: The Phantasmagorical Journey of a Future Rodeo Queen" in 2017. For more about Jay and his work visit https://www.jaykettering.com.
Pamela Jamruska Mencher returns to Big Sky Country after working as a college professor and arts advocate in Colorado. She is an actor, director, producer, costume designer and playwright, with over twenty-six of her plays performed throughout the United States; and has received many awards recognizing her playwriting, teaching and professional theater careers. Pamela currently serves as Montana Playwrights Network President and the Executive Director of the Helena Avenue Theatre.
Cynthia Webb wrote her first story when she was nine years old. She completed a BA in Mass Communication at MSU-Billings. Her work experience includes public radio dj, production assistant at a television station, and EMT for a volunteer fire department. She’s published op-eds in several newspapers, produced four one-woman photography shows, her screenplays have won multiple awards and two of her plays have been produced in Montana. For more about Cynthia and her work visit https://coyoteunderground.blogspot.com.
As a musician, John Hosking was first recognized for the music he wrote and performed for the Vigilante Theatre Co. He also performed at coffee shop gigs, playing folk music, Beatles covers, and his own original tunes. After thirty years with the Vigilante Theatre Company, he began to focus solely on his song-writing. Today he’s enjoying freedom he’s found in growing his own unique sound. For more about John and his work visit https://thirdpathpromotions.com/artists/john-hosking/