DICKINSON — In a move hailed as a homecoming moment, the Badlands Opera Project (BOP) has signed a long-term agreement with Dickinson State University for exclusive use of the Dorothy Stickney Auditorium.
“The first Badlands Opera Project (BOP) production was a premier of Fairy Tale Suite at Dorothy Stickney Auditorium. I'm thrilled that we're partnering with DSU to give BOP, it's artists, and the community a long-term home,” says Chandra McClelland, the Brooklyn, New York-based Human Resources Director of the non-profit.
The partnership comes a year after a controversial reorganization led by former DSU President Stephen Easton, which resulted in the termination of tenured faculty from seven programs, including music and theatre. The plan, which led to protests from students and criticism from the American Association of University Professors, dramatically reduced arts offerings at the university, leaving only 15 music courses available, primarily focused on voice and instrument lessons.
There are currently no theatre classes at DSU.
Joel Walters, BOP's marketing director and frequent performer, expressed gratitude for the collaboration.
“As an alum of DSU, we are grateful for this partnership,” he said. “The DSU Foundation has been incredibly generous
Under the agreement, BOP will have reserved use of the auditorium for its performances and will also have dedicated office and storage space, though the auditorium will remain a shared space for other community organizations and DSU activities. The Badlands Opera Project’s next performance , Into the Woods, is set for March 28-30, 2025, and will be directed by Anthony J. Rohr.
“By continuing our university’s rich tradition of performance arts in a new, collaborative way, we aim to inspire current and future Blue Hawks to be active participants and dedicated supporters of the arts,” said Sarah Crossingham, the Fine Arts and Performing Arts Advisor at Dickinson State University.
BOP, founded in 2019, also hosts an annual Summer Youth Camp, which has previously featured performances like Cinderella and The Sound of Music. This year’s camp, slated for June 8-14, will again be hosted at DSU, and Walters confirmed that the camp has reached its full capacity in the past.
By: RubyAnn Stiegelmeier, Community Pulse Reporter | The Dickinson Press