Virginia City Players oral histories, 2023-2024

Kenneth Christensen was the musical director and pianist for the Brewery Follies from 1988 - 1994, and in 1996, 1999, and 2000. Kenneth is also a professional concert pianist and educator. He speaks about what it was like creating and performing a cabaret style show in rural Montana and what effect that has had on his professional career. He also discusses the way the Brewery Follies affected and were influenced by the audience as well as performers he interacted with during his time at the theatre: Bruce Hurlbut, Paula LaCote, Eric Haynes, Michael Verdon, and Claudia Crouse.

A.J. Kalanick is a lifelong theatre performer in Montana and worked at the Opera House from 1985 - 1991. Starting as the box office manager, he later became an actor and company manager. Kalanick shares his memories of growing up in Montana, working with Bill Koch as director of the Opera House in Virginia City, and touring with the Players in 1991. He discusses his time with the players, as well as associations with the Missoula Children's Theatre and Billings Studio Theatre.

Barb Koel (Stube) and Jill McCauley (Verdon) discuss their time as Virginia City Players. McCauley started working in the late 1980's as part of the Bovey Restorations hotel's staff and later transitioned into being a performer at the Brewery Follies. She became a co-owner / operator of the Follies in 1998 and continues in that role as of 2024. Koel began as a player in the Opera House in 1990, then switched over to the Brewery Follies in 1993. She performed there from 1993 - 1996, then again from 2008 - 2012. Both discuss their time in the company, living in Virginia City in the summer, and their connections with the town and local community.

Amber Rose Mason is a third generation local of Virginia City, MT. She started acting onstage at the Opera House at age 14. She worked for many years there and later transitioned to the Brewery Follies. Amber discusses her life growing up in Virginia City, her early interactions with the Players, and eventually her journey to perform at both the Opera House and the Brewery Follies. She is a SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ) member who has done extensive film work and currently lives on a ranch outside of Alder, MT.

Christina Koch has been a member of the Virginia City Players since 2010. She began as an actor and is a co-owner in the company as of 2024. She, along with her husband, Bill Koch, have run the theatre together for the past 14 years as the time of this interview. Koch serves as the Library Director of the Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library and is the Executive Director of the Virginia City Council. Christina discusses how she came to be in Virginia City, what caused her to put down permanent roots there, and what the Players mean to the town.