Master Arts Theatre
Master Arts Theatre is an independent, non-profit, community theatre guided by a Christian worldview. Master Arts' mission is to develop artists and to engage audiences in theatre that is enriching, encouraging, and enlightening, thereby positively impacting West Michigan. Master Arts offers four main stage shows per year, a second stage production and two summer youth productions. In addition to our stage productions, we offer summer camps for youth, regular classes for children through adults, and a number of touring troupes that perform in a variety of venues. Master Arts has been active in dramatic arts ministry since 1985. As we constantly move forward, Master Arts continues to build a bridge between the arts and the church.
History Highlights
1985 - In 1985, nine people sitting in a living room had a dream: A community arts organization that could provide preparation and opportunities for local Christian artists to serve the church and community through the visual and performing arts. With a typewriter on a card table for Ev Beyer (in whose home this dream began) and a sectional sofa as a working area for Pris McDonald, Master Arts Company began its unique ministry.
Touring Troupes
During the first year, two touring troupes were formed. The first was called "The Parable" performed by Dave Taylor, Nancy Goodrich, Dan Denk, and Pris McDonald; and made its debut at Grace Youth Camp near Hart, Michigan. The second troupe was a Readers Theatre Christmas production entitled "Emmanuel" which was performed in several churches that first year. Touring Troupes is still active today.
1986 - First Street Theatre troupe performed. Street Theatre is still very active today.
1987 - Pris McDonald appointed as Executive Director - has served ever since.
1988 - First monthly "Workshop Training Session" for interested artists. Master Arts still provides Fall and Winter Classes in Drama.
1989 - First of three annual area wide Master Arts Festivals was held. First stage play produced by Master Arts as part of the Festival: The Book of Job arranged for the stage by Orlin Corey, designed by Irene Corey, and directed by Pris McDonald.
1991 - College credit was offered for "Mime" & "Directing Church Drama" courses. First five-day Arts Day Camp held for youth. These camps have been offered each year since, introducing children to the joys of participation in Mime, Drama, Dance, and Visual Art. Arts Day Camp has been held every year since.
1992 - First stage play produced for public (no Festival): Fiddler on the Roof, book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, music by: Jerry Bock, based on Sholom Aleichem's stories by special permission of Arnold Perl and directed by Pris McDonald. One or more productions offered yearly ever since.
1994 - Moved to Grand Village Mall - performed J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit, dramatized by Patricia Gray, directed by Pris McDonald. The Hobbit was performed to full houses with additional performances needed.
1996 - First two-week Youth Summer Stock program by and for youth. These are two week summer stock programs, offering training in all aspects of the production, including box office, costuming, make up, lighting and sound, as well as performing in a full length stage play. The first program was: Winnie-the-Pooh, dramatized by Kristin Sergel, from the stories of A.A. Milne. Youth Summer Stock now offered yearly. First year for a schedule of four productions per year - special rates for Season Subscribers.
- Fall - The Music Man
- Christmas - Amahl and the Night Visitors
- Winter - Tartuffe
- Spring - Shadowlands
1999 - The Mall was sold. Continued operating in an office on Baldwin Street, Jenison.
2001 - 75 - 77th St SW; Renovated a facility located at 75 Vee Street SW in Grand Rapids, MI. Opened new theater with: Snoopy!!! based on the comic strip "PEANUTS" by Charles M. Schulz, music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Hal Hackady, directed by Pris McDonald, assistant director/choreographer Cassie Holmes. Eventually the street name was changed to 77th St SW
2003 - Summer of 2003, Master Arts started Second Stage. Second Stage was designed to do things we would normally not do on the main stage. These include activities such as performing pieces we would like to use as traveling teams, repeating shows Master Arts has done in the past and would like to do again, experimenting with something new, and training new directors. The first Second Stage was Leslie Nadwodnik's directorial debut: The Sunshine Boys, written by Neil Simon, directed by Leslie Nadwodnik.
2003 - A long time dream for Master Arts became a reality on Friday, November 14th, when the Board signed the final papers to purchase the current location at 75 77th St SW. Master Arts had been operating and performing in borrowed, rented or leased space since its beginning in 1985. The acquisition of our own facility provided permanency and set the stage for great possibilities for the future.
2005 - 20th Anniversary Celebration with Jeannette Clift George. Jeannette Clift George is the founder of A.D. Players. Her film debut was in the World Wide Picture The Hiding Place, portraying Corrie Ten Boom. Ms. George is equally well-known as an author, playwright, Bible teacher and national speaker. Special Guest Speaker: Diet Eman
2009 - Noticing the growing interest by youth to perform in a play and the choice of plays with minimal youth parts, Master Arts decided to began a Winter Youth Production, March 2009. The goal of the Winter Youth Production is to involve as many youth as possible. The first was Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting, dramatized by Olga Fricker, directed by Walter Williams.
2010 - Master Arts celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a three day event, August 28 - 30, 2010. Saturday had a Pig Roast, Games and Special Performances. Family Feud, where the categories were Master Arts oriented. i.e. "How many Master Arts productions used live animals?" A special performance of "The Parable" by Dave Taylor, Dan Denk, Nancy Goodrich and Pris McDonald. This was the first piece ever performed under the umbrella of Master Arts and these were the four who performed it then. Sunday was the Praise Celebration with Special Guest Speaker: Paul Patton, Spring Arbor University. Monday was the Challenge Golf Tournament with highlights such as "At the Highlands!" Winner of our first Golf Challenge: Team of Jim Rummil, Randy Mietland and Roy Black.
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