The Retort

Venture Theatre: From Modest Beginnings to Center Stage

November 18th, 2011 by Melinda Wood Of The Retort Staff

Venture Theatre was founded 20 years ago by Mace Archer and Lysa Fox (with help from friends and family). They saw a need in Billings for a community run and acted theater; a place where the talented actors of the city could show off their acting chops. In the beginning, the plays were held in Petro theater of MSU-Billings. In 1997, the Venture Theatre Group moved to bars and restaurants with their unique style of entertaining. It soon became clear that they had the fan base to have their own place to put on shows. They found an unfurnished garage on Central Avenue and the fans followed. While the next stop in finding their theatre home wasn’t high-end, it did show that they had fans willing to sit on donated couch and strain to hear the actors over the giant heater. In 2003 the group found their current home at Montana Avenue.

Venture Theatre is dedicated to bringing engaging contemporary musicals and plays to the Billings community. Venture Theater runs two yearly programs: musicals and the Producers Specials which bring regional debuts to the stage. They also run the Youth Conservatory which runs camps and classes for young people. In addition the programs put on plays for children and families.

Currently playing on the musical main stage is “Oliver!” which runs from November 18 through December 18. The play is directed by Patrick Wilson and stars Zac Anderson as Oliver. Tickets can be bought at the box office or at the Venture Theater's official website.

In addition to plays and musicals, the theater runs improv groups. Venture Improv is a game based comedy group that takes suggestions from the audience. They also have a teenage comedy group called “The Funky Bunch” which says they are just as funny as their elders, just not as old.

For more details check out their website or the Venture Theater facebook page. The website has much more in depth details about all the current plays and musicals that will soon be showing as well as ticket information.