Archives West Finding Aid

BJ Barsness and Eric Barsness talk about their father, Larry Barsness. They discuss his work as a founding member of the Illustrious Virginia City Players and the first director of the company, recalling growing up on stage in Virginia City in the 1950s and the early members of the company. They also talk about his later work as an author, artist, and professor of English at the University of Montana. This presentation took place in Virginia City's restored Frank Bird Linderman Cabin. It was sponsored by the Virginia City Preservation Alliance as part of their lecture series "Actors, Artists, and Authors" in the summer of 2023.

Michael is the owner, director, and performer at the Brewery Follies and has been performing there since 1988. He discusses the history of the Virginia City Players, their development in the 1940s and 1950s and the relationship to Charles and Sue Bovey's work restoring Virginia City, as well as Bovey restorations and the shift from private to state ownership of the town. He talks about the development of the company's modern cabaret style, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on performances, and its future in the community.

Don Fuhrman discusses his experience as an actor at the HS Gilbert Brewery and the Opera House. He speaks of his work as a Montana actor, his early days at the Opera House, his work at the Brewery Follies, as well as the town of Virginia City (MT). Don continued to work at the Brewery Follies and was part of the Players for 22 seasons beginning in 1996.

Catherine Dixon was a scenic designer, technical director, and scenic artist for the players in 1984 – 1985 and 1996. She discusses how she came to Virginia City and her work as a theatre artist with Opera House under the direction of Bruce Hurlbut and BJ Barsness. Catherine became a long-term resident of Virginia City.