It’s getting harder for the Orphan Girl Children’s Theatre in Butte to keep its curtain open as operations costs continue to expand.
“We’ve created a gap at this time just seems insurmountable, it just seems we can’t close that gap,” said Education Director Elizabeth Crase.
The non-profit theater has more than 300 children participating each year, which organizers say does more than just put on production.
“We’re teaching life skill, these kids are learning about empathy, they’re learning how to collaborate, how to be an ensemble, we’re setting them up for success,” said Artistic Director Jackie Freeman Vetter.
The theater offers educations programs and goes out schools to address issues like bullying and depression. The directors describe the theater as a tight family that supports each member.
“One of our kids shared with me this week that this place saved his life, he didn’t have a home, he was uncomfortable with himself as a person he didn’t have a place, he didn’t fit in and then he found this,” said Crase.
The Orphan Girl Theatre has been a tradition in Butte for more than 20 years, but it needs funding to continue. And like the great Shakespeare said, without funding the Orphan Girl is just a ‘poor player who struts and frets his hour upon stage and is heard no more.’
“It’s a home, for myself, for the kids, I mean, moved out here to take this job, so I already knew moving out here that this place would be special, so …,” said Freeman Vetter, becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
There are several fundraisers going on to help the theater including a concert Saturday evening at the Finlen Hotel called Leap Night with the Piano Man beginning at 9 p.m. Donations can also be made at the OGCT website.
