Red Rock On Air

East Central Arts Council awards grant to Pine City High School $2,500 for fall musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”

The theatre program at Pine City High School has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the East Central Arts Council to help fund their fall musical, the Broadway comedy “Little Shop of Horrors.”

According to director Bradley Mariska, “Little Shop” is one of the most challenging musicals to stage due a series of large-scale puppets that need to be specifically designed and built for the show.  A professionally-constructed set of puppets, the largest of which weighs several hundred pounds, has already been acquired  for the Pine City production.

“It’s important that the students involved in the show – as well as the audience that  attends our productions – are able to take part in productions of a professional nature,” says Mariska.  “This grant money helps us to achieve our goal and will reach literally thousands of people throughout East Central  Minnesota.”

At a recent meeting, Arts Council members from throughout the region were impressed with Pine City’s application entitled “Puppets for the Public” for its emphasis on creativity and community involvement.  Students in the cast not only rehearse a show each fall, but also do service projects, work with students at the local elementary school, and this year will be featuring a free backstage tour before one of the performances.   Dozens of community members and businesses also contribute support the show.

The East Central Arts Council is a division of the East Central Regional Development Commission and supported with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.  The Arts Council supports activities throughout Pine, Kanabec, Isanti, Mille Lacs,
and Chisago counties.

Performances of “Little Shop of Horrors,” are November 13 through 21 at the Pine City Elementary Auditorium.