Production History

Pacific Bible Institute—the 1940s and 50s

The story of Fresno Pacific Theater begins shortly after the school was established as Pacific Bible Institute in 1944. Dramatic sketches played an early part in campus worship. In 1955, PBI started offering a regular dramatics course, followed later by a course in dramatic production. Students could learn stagecraft, “poise and self-confidence” alongside their Bible, church history and ministry courses. PBI students produced full-length plays, one-acts and sketches for the regular chapel meetings.  Students’ dramatic gifts also surfaced in the regular talent nights that took place on the PBI campus, located in the former YMCA building in downtown Fresno.

Pacific College—the 1960s

The 1960s was a period of growth and change for the institution. Pacific Bible Institute became Pacific College in 1960, first as a junior college, and, by 1965, as a fully accredited four-year college. The first theater production of the college years was Rejected, written by Tabor College faculty Malinda Penner and Paul Ratzlaff. This contemporary musical was performed at the Armenian Hall in downtown Fresno, the Immanuel Academy chapel in Reedley, and Greeley Elementary School near Rosedale. Cast members received one unit of Applied Drama credit for their participation.

When Pacific College moved onto its new campus in southeast Fresno, plays were performed in the Witmarsum Quad courtyard and on Hiebert Library’s north patio. Productions included Cry, the Beloved Country, The Diary of Anne Frank and Everyman. The Pacific Amphitheater, built in 1964, formalized the outdoor trend. Its grassy audience area, spacious stage and stylish landscaping made it a favorite space for the college community. In addition to plays and musicals, the amphitheater was used for talent shows and the spring graduation ceremony. Productions included Brigadoon, H.M.S. Pinafore, An Enemy of the People, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Our Town, Crazy Quilt, The Tempest, Medea, and Electra. In 2000, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods was the final production in the beloved amphitheater.

Alumni Hall became the main indoor venue in 1966. Readers Theater productions were popular at many colleges in the 1960s and ‘70s, and Pacific was in on the trend. Reading productions included A Thurber Carnival, In White America, and Jean Anouilh’s Antigone. English and communication faculty were featured in John Brown’s Body, Tall Tales and Short Songs, The World of Carl Sandburg, with music supplied by the music faculty and students.

Pacific College—the 1970s

A drama faculty position was created in 1973, signaling a new level of commitment to theater. The Narrow Gate Company ministered to the campus and local churches, “exploring how God can use drama in the contemporary world.” The drama troupe continued under various names until the late 1990s.

Church history was the focus of several productions in the 1970s. In Newness of Life dramatized the origins of the Mennonite church during the Reformation. It was presented in 1972 as part of the Mennonite Brethren General Conference, in Reedley. Urie Bender’s The Past is Yet to Come depicted the establishment of the Mennonite Brethren church in the late 1800s. That production was co-sponsored by the Anabaptist Historical Society and the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary.

Fresno Pacific College—the 1980s and 1990s

The interest in Mennonite themes continued in the 1980s and ‘90s with the musical Crazy Quilt (by FPC music faculty Larry Warkentin), and reading productions Preacher/Poet (a staging of poems by Mennonite writers) and Ultimate Faith (stories from the Martyr’s Mirror, alternating with hymns). Plays were presented in Alumni Hall, the Amphitheater, or the renovated basement space that became known as the Witmarsum Theater Lab. By the early ‘90s, Ashley Auditorium, in the newly-built McDonald Hall, could also be used for plays like The Curious Savage, The Real Inspector Hound, and The Boys Next Door.

Children's plays and summer melodramas were occasional productions during the 1980s, with productions like Aurand Harris' A Toby Show going on tour to local elementary schools and Dora, the Beautiful Dishwasher, performed at the Reedley Opera House. The '80s was also the period of the Fine Arts Dinners—where student and faculty actors joined forces to create "living art works," alongside the music department's offerings, as part of the fundraising efforts for Pacific's arts programs.

A theater minor was created in the late 1980s, which made it possible for students to make drama a more formal part of their academic programs. Students interested in theater as a major could create a personalized major, combining classes at Fresno Pacific with those from Fresno State University or a semester’s study with the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC) program. Liberal studies students could choose theater as a concentration, building on the Creative Drama course that all liberal studies majors took in order to have a well-rounded arts background. 

Fresno Pacific University—2000 to Present

The year 2010 marked fifty years of theater at Fresno Pacific as a college/university. Today’s students experience Fresno Pacific theater as part of a company that meets together weekly to further the work of the season’s productions. Students may opt for making theater a formal part of their academic program, but many participate simply for a chance to be onstage, or to practice their skills as lighting or sound technicians, as set decorators and costume designers, as dramaturgs and stage managers. Theater is a way to come together around many different skills and gifts, to make art in community.

Students who study theater formally gain skills in stage technology, stage-makeup, acting, auditioning, directing, and using drama in the classroom. Courses in theater literature, history and culture survey performance on both global and local stages, with hands-on experiences of medieval mystery plays, through the semi-annual pageant wagon performance out on the green, or agit-prop theater, through the 'actos' that supported the cause of local farmworkers during the civil rights era. We seek to understand the role that theater has played in our world, 'to teach and to please,' to support and to challenge, to comfort and sometimes to dis-comfort, to ask and to answer. 

With the addition in 2016-2017 of our Staged Reading Series, Theater continues to find new ways of presenting dramatic literature for the community. Staff and faculty read alongside students in this partnership with FPU's English program. Plays like A Raisin in the Sun and Real Women Have Curves pay tribute to the diversity of the campus community. Full productions like Truth and Reconciliation and 9 Parts of Desire recognize the global contexts we live in. Comedies like Changes of Heart and Twelfth Night celebrate love and make us laugh. Musicals like Godspell and dramas like Defying Gravity remind us of the source of our being and the journey that we are on together. Whatever the stage or style, we are excited at Fresno Pacific Theater to share stories in the presence of the community, stories that have the potential to speak into our lives and shape our worlds.

Production List

2019–2020

Leaving Iowa	Mark Tyler Miller, Director	Seminary Chapel
Spitfire Grill	Postponed

2018–2019

Falling	Shannon Brewington, Director	Seminary Chapel
Emma	Brooke Aiello, Director	Seminary Chapel

2017–2018

Twelfth Night	Julia Reimer, Director	Seminary Chapel
Guys and Dolls	Brooke Aiello, Director	Selma Arts Center

2016–2017

9 Parts of Desire	Julia Reimer, Director	Strasbourg Theater
Defying Gravity	Julia Reimer, Director	Strasbourg Theater

2015–2016

Changes of Heart	Julia Reimer, Director	Seminary Chapel
Little Women	Bethany Rader, Director	Veteran's Memorial Auditorium

2014–2015

Truth and Reconciliation	Kate McKnight, Director	Severance Hall, California Arts Academy
Doubt, a Parable	Bethany Rader, Director	New Sanctuary, College Community Church, MB

2013–2014

Shakespeare's Cymbeline	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Sound of Music	Bethany Rader, Stage Director; Zachary Durlam, Choral Director; Deborah Sauer-Ferrand, Vocal Coach; Milton Friesen, Orchestra Director	Veteran's Memorial Auditorium

2012–2013

Antigone (Anouilh/Galantiere)	Bethany Rader, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Charley's Aunt	Bethany Rader, Director	Ashley Auditorium

2011–2012

Barefoot in the Park	Bethany Rader, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Godspell	Bethany Rader, Stage Director  Zachary Durlam, Deborah Sauer-Ferrand, Milton Friesen, Musical Direction	Ashley Auditorium

2010–2011

Once Removed	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Immigrant	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium

2009–2010

Spirit of Hispania	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Phantom Lady	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium

2008–2009

Hay Fever	Jennifer Sampson, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Uncle Vanya	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium

2007–2008

Nickel and Dimed	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Parable	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium, churches, CITA conference

2006–2007

Trojan Women	Julia Reimer, Director Walter Saul, Musical Score	Ashley Auditorium
Fiddler on the Roof	Julia Reimer, Stage Director Deborah Sauer-Ferrand, Roy Klassen, Wayne Huber, Musical Direction	Special Events Center

2005–2006

The Last Night of Ballyhoo	Christien Sweeney, Director	Theater Lab
Servant of Two Masters	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium

2004–2005

84, Charing Cross Road	Julia Reimer, Director	Theater Lab
The Importance of Being Earnest	Julia Reimer, Director	Theater Lab

2003–2004

Necessary Targets	Julia Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)	Christien Sweeney, Director	Alumni Hall

2002–2003

Aristophanes' Women in Congress (Tasca)	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Book of Acts (Chamber Theater)	Julia Reimer, Director	Mennonite Community Church

2001–2002

Rant 'n Rave (Monologues)	Melissa Valgeirsson, Director	Theater Lab
Androcles and the Lion	Julia Reimer, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Make It the Great Northern (Readers Theater)	Melissa Valgeirsson, Director	Fresno Art Museum

2000–2001

Beau Jest	Michelle Pauls, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Much Ado about Nothing	Calvin Hoff, Director	E. Terronez Middle School

1999–2000

Fuente Ovejuna	Andrew Ryder, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Into the Woods	Andrew Ryder, Stage Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1998–1999

Euripides' Electra	Andrew Ryder, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater
The Dining Room	Andrew Ryder, Director

1997–1998

Three Irish Comedies by Lady Gregory	Andrew Ryder, Director
Lettice and Lovage	Andrew Ryder, Director

1996–1997

The Imaginary Invalid	Julia Reimer, Director	Theater Lab
The Boys Next Door	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Ashley Auditorium
Instruments of Peace (Chamber Theater)	Julia Reimer, Director	Butler MB Church

1995–1996

Steel Magnolias	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Alumni Hall
Ultimate Faith (Readers Theater)	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Butler MB Church
Oklahoma!	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Stage Director Musical Director, Roy Klassen	Special Events Center

1994–1995

Lost in Yonkers	Mary Freeman, Director	Alumni Hall
Preacher/Poet (Readers Theater)	Billie Jean Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
As You Like It	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1993–1994

The Great Central Valley: A Sense of Place   (Readers Theater)	Billie Jean Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
Who's Life Is It Anyway?	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Real Inspector Hound	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Ashley Auditorium

1992–1993

Curious Savage	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Ashley Auditorium
The Barbarians Are Coming/ The Prophets	Doug Liechty-Caskey, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1991–1992

Easter (Strindberg)

Julia Reimer, Director

Theater Lab

1990–1991

A Man for All Seasons	Teresa Choate, Director	Theater Lab
110 in the Shade	Teresa Choate, Stage Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1989–1990

Shooting Stars	Teresa Choate, Director	Theater Lab
Medea	Teresa Choate, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1988–1989

Sarcophagus

Teresa Choate, Director

Theater Lab

The Tempest

Teresa Choate, Director

Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1987–1988

School for Scandal	Adrienne Cooper, Director	Alumni Hall
Foxfire	Teresa Choate, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1986–1987

A Midsummer Night's Dream	Rich Robinson, Director	Alumni Hall
The Children's Hour	Adrienne Cooper, Director	Theater Lab
Crazy Quilt	Rich Robinson, Stage Director   Larry Warkentin, Musical Director	Alumni Hall

1985–1986

Our Town	Rich Robinson, Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater
A Toby Show (Children's Show)	Rich Robinson, Director	Tour

The Music Man

Rich Robinson, Stage Director Roy Klassen, Vocal Director Larry Warkentin, Orchestra

Special Events Center

1984–1985

The Good Doctor	Rich Robinson, Director	Witmarsum Basement
David and Lisa	Rich Robinson, Director	Special Events Center

1983–1984

Fiddler on the Roof

Cheryl Nash, Stage Director  Curtis Funk, Musical Director

Special Events Center

1982–1983 

Thurber: Mainly Men and Women, Reality—Illusion (Chamber Theater)	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
The Crucible	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall

1981–1982 

The Potting Shed	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
Mikado	Jim Becker, Stage Director  Curtis Funk, Musical Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater

1980–1981

The Diary of Anne Frank	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
One Foot in America	Cheryl Nash, Director	Witmarsum Basement

1979–1980

My Fair Lady	Jim Becker, Stage Director  Curtis Funk, Musical Director	Fresno Pacific Amphitheater
The Lost Princess & The Light Princess (Readers Theater)	Kathleen Harris, Lei Bills, Directors	Alumni Hall

1978–1979

Antigone (Anouihl)	Joan Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
The Flounder (Readers Theater)	Billie Jean Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
The Balloonman (Readers Theater)	Brenda Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall

1977–1978

The Miracle Worker	Robert Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
Under Milkwood (Readers Theater)	Billie Jean Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
The Singer	Cheryl Nash, Director	College Community MB Church

1976–1977

A Man for All Seasons	Alumni Hall
The Clown (Readers Theater)	Billie Jean Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
Camelot	Jim Becker, Stage Director  Curtis Funk, Musical Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1975–1976

All My Sons	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
The Glass Menagerie	Leah Laraway, Director	Alumni Hall
Everyman	Jim Becker, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1974–1975

The Pirates of Penzance

Jim Becker, Stage Director Curtis Funk, Musical Director

Pacific College Amphitheater

1973–1974

The Word: An Evening of Plays about "Nontalk"	Jim Becker, Director	Alumni Hall
Talk to the Animals (Children's Show)
The Past Is Yet to Come	Jim Becker, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1972–1973

"In Newness of Life"

Dalton Reimer, Director

Reedley MB Church

1971–1972

Fiddler on the Roof	Dalton Reimer, Stage Director Larry Warkentin, Musical Director	Pacific College Amphitheater
The Taming of the Shrew	Phil Hofer, Director	Alumni Hall
Antigone (Anouihl) (Readers Theater)	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
Prophet and Carpenter	Dalton Reimer, Director	Churches, College Hour
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Children's Show)	Joan Becker, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1970–1971

Tall Tales and Short Songs	Faculty Production	Alumni Hall
H.M.S. Pinafore	Dalton Reimer, Stage Director  Larry Warkentin, Musical Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1969–1970

The World of Carl Sandberg	Faculty Readers Theater	Alumni Hall
Pygmalion	Robert Wiebe, Director	Alumni Hall
A Thurber Carnival (Readers Theater)	Luetta Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
Tartuffe	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
In White America (Readers Theater)	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
The Mikado	Dalton Reimer, Stage Director Larry Warkentin, Musical Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1968–1969

John Brown's Body	Faculty Readers Theater	Alumni Hall
The Miracle Worker	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
Life, Judgement, Death(3 One-Acts)	Judy Karber, Luetta Feil, Directors	Alumni Hall

1967–1968

The World of Sholom Aleichem	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
Brand	Dalton Reimer, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater
The Devil and Daniel Webster (Folk Opera)	Larry Warkentin, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1966–1967

The House by the Stable/Grab and Grace	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
The Elder Statesman	Dalton Reimer, Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1965–1966

The Sign of Jonah	Dalton Reimer, Director	Alumni Hall
Brigadoon	Gary Unruh, Stage and Musical Director	Pacific College Amphitheater

1964–1965

An Enemy of the People

Donald Unruh, Director

Pacific College Amphitheater

1963–1964

Amahl and the Night Visitors	Dalton Reimer, Stage Director  Dietrich Friesen, Musical Director	Various churches, FCC Auditorium
Everyman (Hofmannsthal)	Donald Unruh, Director	Library Patio

1962–1963

Amahl and the Night Visitors	Dalton Reimer, Stage Director  Dietrich Friesen, Musical Director
The Diary of Anne Frank	Donald Unruh, Director	Library Patio, Immanuel Academy Chapel

1961–1962

Christ in the Concrete City	Dalton Reimer, Director	Pacific Coast MB Church tour
Cry, the Beloved Country	Dalton Reimer, Director	Witmarsum Courtyard, Immanuel Academy Chapel, Bakersfield

1961

Rejected

Dalton Reimer, Stage Director

Dietrich Friesen, Musical Director

AACC Hall, Immanuel Academy Chapel, Greeley Elementary (Rosedale)

1944

The Greatest Christmas Gift

Pacific Bible College