(The following article originally appeared in the program for Masquers' production of 'Barefoot in the Park' in 1979. It provides an insightful glance into the early days of Masquers Theatre Company.)

During the fall of 1975, several groups of Forest Lake residents began to talk about the idea of community theatre in our area. For some time, people from the communities that make up our constituency area had participated in other theatres, notably the Lake shore Players at White Bear Lake. These conversations and aspirations planted an idea.

The wishes of a few soon became the talk of many at neighborhood coffee meetings. Informal discussion allowed the idea to crystallize and capture the enthusiasm of the community. The feasibility was formally examined at a public meeting held in February of 1976. Public acceptance at this initial meeting gave rise to a Steering Committeee of fifteen people, which was later declared the first Board of Directors. At a public meeting in November of 1976, the MASQUERS THEATRE COMPANY was officially established.

Since its inception, the MASQUERS THEATRE COMPANY has embraced the communities of Forest Lake, Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Taylors Falls, Scandia, Marine on St. Croix, Hugo, Wyoming, North Branch, and the surrounding rural areas of Isanti, Chisago, Anoka, and northern Washington Counties. Board representation is also cross-sectional in terms of geographic location, age and occupation.

K. David Hargrove, Forest Lake, was named President and preparations were underway for the first summer season, 1977. A box office was opened in the Forest Lake Church of Christ Educational Annex, season memberships were purchased by 560 citizens and a budget was created from which a dream was translated into reality.

Widespread early interest overcame an austere beginning budget and led to a highly successful first production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver. The show involved over 300 persons, was directed by Henry Hebert, and was performed at the Forest Lake High School Auditorium.

Three shows were produced that first summer and each show ran five nights. Every body Loves Opal, directed by Sharon Cunningham, filled the house with laughter. The first season’s last show, Fiddler on the Roof, brought every audience to its feet for a fitting finale. Approximately 6,000 persons attended and applauded the fifteen performances of the first summer season. A successful first season compelled the Masquers Board of Directors to make expansion decisions to accommodate rapid growth. The 1978 season membership drive canvassed seven communities yielding 1800 members before May. A warehouse on the west edge of Forest Lake was rented to store an expanding inventory of materials and properties and to provide space for construction.

The following second summer, MASQUERS undertook both Music Man and Camelot in a single season mixing the two magnificent musicals with Agatha Christie’s spine-tingling mystery, The Mousetrap. The 3 productions of the second season attracted audiences totaling 7,000 appreciative persons.

This year, Masquers announced its exciting third summer season and the membership grew beyond the 2000 mark. Cultural contributions and special activities reinforced the belief that the theatre is truly an enterprise of and for the people. Amahl and the Night Visitors, directed by K. David Hargrove, was performed in six community churches during the Christmas season. The Society of Sound (SOS) entertained numerous civic organizations with their music and choreography. In addition, MASQUERS entered the 1979 Minnesota Community Theatre Festival with Thornton Wilder’s one-act, The Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton. In an effort to further extend its positive public influence and involvement, MASQUERS created the Children’s Theatre Workshop and established center in both Forest Lake and Chisago City. The contributions and growth of MASQUERS THEATRE COMPANY were acknowledged by the Minnesota Arts Board, who awarded the company a grant for the partial funding of technical co-ordination of the 1979 season. Thus, the part-time position of technical coordinator was initiated and Patick Voelker, Forest Lake, was hired.

We have come of age. The area communities and their theatre are grateful to the School Board of District 831 for the use of the Forest Lake High School auditorium, a spacious and comfortable facility. We thank area businesses and patron’s donations reflective of community support.

A nonprofit community Theatre thrives on voluntary involvement; and the growth of MASQUERS is a testimonial to public support. The talent and effort of hundreds of dedicated volunteers have assisted and contributed in making MASQUERS more than one of Minnesota’s fastest growing theatres. mature at an early age. MAQUERS THEATRE COMPANY is among Minnesota’s best.

Written by Paul Ramseth Publicity Chairperson Masquers Theatre Company Board of Directors

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Previous Shows

1977
Oliver - Henry Hebert
Everybody Loves Opal - Sharon Cunningham
Fiddler on the Roof - K. David Hargrove

1978
The Music Man - Donald Johnson
The Mousetrap - Tom Arlen (Leek)
Camelot - K. David Hargrove
Amahl & the Night Visitors - K. David Hargrove

1979
Stop the World I Want to Get Off - Tod Wronski
Barefoot in the Park - Tom Arlen (Leek)
The King and I - K. David Hargrove

1980
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown - Linda Waggoner
A Man for All Seasons - Clare Lillis
Hello Dolly - Tom Arlen (Leek)

1981
I Do! I Do! - Susan Ogden-Maouf
You Can't Take it With You - Ethel Montgomery
Irene - K. David Hargrove

1982
Man of LaMancha - K. David Hargrove
Life with Father - Jack Kettles
How to Succeed in Business - Rose Diestler

1983
The Sound of Music - Wayne Hamilton
Sleuth - Jack Kettles
Two by Two - Kathleen Schroeder

1984
The Fantasticks - Henry Hebert
The Diary of Anne Frank - Jack Kettles-John Joachim
South Pacific - Kathleen Schroeder

1985
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Jack Kettles/John Joachim
The Dining Room - Clare Lillis
Brigadoon - Jean Pendray Logan

1986
Kiss Me Kate - Terie Spencer
On Golden Pond - Clare Lillis
Oliver - Susan Novak

1987
Cinderella - Susan Novak
Arsenic and Old Lace - John Joachim
Guys and Dolls - Mark Quinlan

1988
Pippin - Michael Ellison
The Rainmaker - Michael Lane
Annie - Susan Novak

1989
Anything Goes - Risa Brainin
Harvey - Leigh Anne Adams
Annie Get Your Gun - Meg Zauner

1990
Little Shop of Horrors - Susan Novak
The Boys Next Door - Wendy Resch
My Fair Lady - Michael Milner

1991
Fiddler on the Roof - Risa Brainin
The Odd Couple - Female Version - Hilary Stellner
Wizard of Oz - Wendy Resch

1992
Damn Yankees - Dan Chouinard
Story Theatre - Susan Novak
Godspell - Minrod Mier

1993
Oklahoma - Alfred Nott
Noises Off - Wendy Resch
Music Man - David Mann

1994
The Sound of Music - Michael Anthony Border
West Side Story - David Mann
Amahl and the Night Visitors - Michael Anthony Border

1995
Hello Dolly - Minrod Mier
Man of LaMancha - Gregory Stavrou
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - David Seaburg

1996
Rumors - Minrod Mier
Clowns - David Seaburg
Bye Bye Birdie - Susan Novak

1997
Nunsense - Minrod Mier
Tom Sawyer - David Seaburg
Steel Magnolias - Minrod Mier
Crazy for You - Douglas Dally
Here's Love - David Seaburg

1998
The Miracle Worker - David Seaburg
Oliver - Minrod Mier
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - David Seaburg

1999
A Little House Christmas - David Seaburg

2000
Cinderella - David Seaburg
Grease - Susan Novak

2001
The Pajama Game - Jean Mornard
Alice in Wonderland - David Seaburg
Cookies With the Clauses - Mary Lynn Regnier

2002
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Susan Novak
The Odd Couple - Jean Mornard
The Wiz - Bobby Reedy

2003
7 Brides for 7 Brothers - Mike Nazzal
Sherlock Holmes - Joe Hendren
The King and I - Dave Seaburg

2004
Anything Goes - Lon Church
South Pacific - Mike Nazzal

2005
Sound of Music - Janice Murphy

2006
Bye Bye Birdie - Mike Nazzal

2007
Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Janice Murphy Roman

2008
The Fantasticks - Jill Alton
Oliver - Janice Murphy Roman

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