MZF2722.xml Guide to the Virginia City Players oral histories Jodi Allison-Bunnell 2023 interviews were funded by an Opportunity Grant from Humanities Montana. Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections 2024

P.O. Box 173320, Centennial Mall Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-28. Description is written in: English, translation missing: en.enumerations.script_iso15924.latn script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. 2024 April 28 Added 2024 interviews and digital object links Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections Virginia City Players oral histories Schindler, Daniel De, 1971- Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont.). Library 2722 9 items nine video recordings 2023-2024 Oral histories conducted by Daniel Schindler with past and present staff of the Virginia City (MT) Players: Mike Verdon, Don Fuhrman, Eric Lawrence Barsness, BJ Barsness Douglas, Catherine Dixon, A. J. Calanick, Amber Rose Mason, Christina Koch, Jill Verdon, Barbara Koel, and Kenneth Christensen. English .

Oral histories conducted by Daniel Schindler with past and present staff of the Virginia City (MT) Players: Mike Verdon, Don Fuhrman, Eric Lawrence Barsness, B.J. Barsness Douglas, Catherine Dixon, A. J. Calanick, Amber Rose Mason, Christina Koch, Jill Verdon, Barbara Koel, and Kenneth Christensen. Topics discussed include the founding of the theater company, development of its cabaret style, the relationship with Charlie and Sue Bovey's work to preserve the town, and the transition to state ownership of the historic assets.

Collection is open for research.

The Illustrious Virginia City Players perform melodrama and vaudeville in the Virginia City Opera House in Virginia City, Montana. Founded in 1948 by Larry Barsness, the Players were related to Charles Bovey's efforts to restore the historic mining town. The Historic Landmarks Society, incorporated in 1944, focused its work on restoring first the Montana Post building, then other historic structures in Virginia City. By attracting tourists to Virginia City, which also contributed to attracting notice from the film industry, the Players contributed to the preservation of this small mining town.

[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], [URL], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT

Virginia City Players Virginia City Preservation Alliance Summer theater--Montana--Virginia City Actors Artists--Montana Oral Histories Montana Oral histories BJ Barsness and Eric Barsness 2722-001-001 2023 August 13th 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 Verdon 2722-001-004 2023 August 8 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 2722-001-003 2023 August 8 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 2722-001-002.mp4 2023 August 14 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. Kenneth Christensen: Brewery Follies, Musical Director, Pianist 2024 August 14

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: Box Office Manager, Stage Manager, & Actor at the Opera House 2024 August 18

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.

Jill M. Verdon (McCauley) & Barbara Koel: Virginia City Players & Brewery Follies 2024 August 10

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: Opera House & Brewery Follies 2024 August 11

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: Actor, Company Manager, & Co-Owner at the Opera House 2024 August 12

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.