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Alpine Activities
theatre of the big bend
TH
NEARS 50
BIRTHDAY
Outdoor theatre transfixes audiences
By Steve Lang
has acted in, directed and produced ToBB
productions for the past 16 years.
“The longevity of the Theatre of the Big Bend
is a credit to the countless performers, volunteers
and an appreciative audience,” said Roman. “We
are blessed with very hardy West Texas ranching
patrons and a frontier spirit that also describes the
tenacity of the Sul Ross theatre and music faculty.
It continues to be a really incredible experience.”
Over the years, the Theatre of the Big Bend has
entertained close to half a million people while
performing more than 130 productions.
Presently, the Theatre of the Big Bend produces
one major show each summer.
“Due to budget, we have gone to fewer, but
bigger shows,” Schwab said. “However, the talent
Stage productions over the years have delighted Alpine
audiences.
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alpine TEXAS | alpinetexas.com | alpinetexasguide.com
Dana Jones
f
rom ancient Greece to modern West
Texas, outdoor theatre has transfixed
audiences for thousands of years,
including the past half-century in Alpine.
Since its formation in 1966, the Theatre of the
Big Bend has filled a summer entertainment niche
for the Big Bend region and beyond. The theatre
provides a summer repertory experience for
community actors and musicians, artists and
students to work with professionals from Sul Ross
State University and elsewhere.
The summer 2014 production is the critically
acclaimed “Into The Woods,” book by James
Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen
Sondheim. Performances will be held each Friday,
Saturday and Sunday at 8:15 p.m. from June 20 July 6 at the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre.
“Fifty years of providing summer theatrical
entertainment is a significant achievement,” said
Dona Roman, Sul Ross professor of Theatre, who
pool has increased, and the quality, for the budget,
is by far the best theatre you are going to see.”
Summer internships and the ToBB guest artist
program were established in 2006 with the
theatre's unique rodeo version of “Annie Get Your
Gun,” performed at the San Antonio Livestock
Exposition Arena at Sul Ross’ Turner Range
Animal Science Center.
“Annie Get Your Gun” was the only offering for
the 2006 season and allowed the summer theatre
to focus all resources onto one blockbuster
production. Attendance at the performances
broke all previous records.
Productions have evolved to include not only
more Sul Ross students, but students from other
universities, thanks to the internship program.
“The Theatre of the Big Bend will always be
community-oriented,” said Roman, “but we want
to continue to grow. We really try to be a part of
the community and also provide a theatre
experience for our students and students from
other universities as well.”
“The community involvement has been a real
plus,” said Brooks. “There have been so many
volunteers as cast members, crew members, the
orchestra and elsewhere, and that is an aspect that
really brings the community together. This
(collaboration) truly elevates the cultural level of
our community.”
Roman said that the ToBB continues to play to a
wider audience, due to its presence as a major
summer tourism attraction.
“We continue to strive to create a broader
outreach,” Roman said. “We really believe what
we do is pretty magical.” aT