River Valley Theater Raises The Curtains—And The Stakes

Although there are only four more performances left of River Valley Theatre Company’s production of the musical "Curtains," at the stage, the community theater group isn't slowing down. River Valley is already planning auditions for its fall show, "Lend Me a Tenor."

The group, now in its fourth year, is booked out through the fall of 2012 and aiming to be more than just another community troupe. The company's annual picnic is Aug. 17 at Lions Park, 103 Adams St. S.

“We are trying to be a company that’s focused mostly on quality,” explained Scott Swanson, the company treasurer and director for the current production. "A lot of community theaters like to put up a big show and get a lot of kids in it, which is great, like "The Wizard of Oz" next season. But that’s not the driver for this group.”

Part of the company's stated mission, on its Web site and in press releases, is to be artist-centric and appeal to a broad audience, while preserving high production values and creating opportunities for community engagement.

“It’s about challenging the members and challenging the talent in the local area," Board Member Daphne Siegert said. "It’s productions that don’t get done all the time, so there’s new stuff out there. That’s what 'Curtains' is all about. “

The organization is made up largely of Shakopee residents, with talent coming from all over the metro area and beyond. Members do everything from public relations to vetting scripts, and they welcome participation from people of all levels of skill and experience. The entire operation is run, staged and performed by volunteers.

“We formed in late 2007, officially, and literally, I think it was an ad put in the newspaper by one of the regular citizens looking for folks,” Swanson said of the group's origins. 

As the cast of "Curtains" emerged from backstage after a recent Saturday night performance, friends and family congratulated them. Most of the talent joined the production after hearing about the company through word of mouth—several knew the director, Scott Swanson, through the arts, work and even church. 

“I had a friend who is involved in it and she invited me to come," said Barb Vander Wyst, a cast member of the current production. "I hadn’t been doing any theater since high school. I just thought it would be fun.”

Within the last year, River Valley joined the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce and signed up 20 local sponsors, including the Shakopee Rotary Club, and Voyager Bank. Its largest supporters to date are the Shakopee Public Schools and the town’s Lions Club.

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If you go:

Curtains—the musical comedy whodunnit

Shakopee Senior High School

100 W. 17th Ave., Shakopee

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through July 31

$14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors

If you want to join or audition:

 River Valley Theatre Company — 505 S. Holmes St.

(952) 856-7062

rvtc411@gmail.com