Theatre L'Homme Dieu has change in direction

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For nearly 50 years, Theatre L’Homme Dieu in Alexandria has provided summer theater productions to the lakes area.

And although the plans for next summer remain, there will be one major change.

St. Cloud State University will no longer provide staff, student actors, and contributions such as costumes, lights and sound equipment.

Representatives from Theatre L’Homme Dieu (TLHD) and St. Cloud State University jointly announced that the St. Cloud State Theater Department is refocusing its energy to the immediate St. Cloud area and that this past summer was its last year working with the local theater.

While the TLHD is changing its operational partnership, the theater board is in the process of reviewing productions from other theater programs, as well as professional theater troops, according to Melissa Moore, TLHD executive director.

“Our season will be a wonderful mix of both [amateur and professional] and it will also be longer than it has been in the recent past,” Moore noted. “We are planning to extend the season farther into August and possibly even into September.”

Moore added that the theater board is in the process of creating a request for proposals to extend to theater programs nationwide in search of just the right school for a long-term partnership.

TLHD attendees should watch for an announcement of the upcoming season and package specials to be announced around Christmastime.

Sharon Cogdill, interim dean of the St. Cloud State College of Fine Arts and Humanities, said that the school’s theater department faculty plans to develop a stronger relationship with the immediate St. Cloud area.

“Withdrawing from involvement from TLHD will help better focus on its mission of educating St. Cloud State students,” said Cogdill. “And it will help to plan strategically where our energies and resources should go.”

Cogdill also noted that the decision has come after years of discussion about the level of involvement with TLHD.

Moore added, however, that the partnership with St. Cloud will continue on some level as five members of the TLHD board are from St. Cloud State University.

“Board members have really stepped up their participation and we are working hard to make sure we cover everything that St. Cloud is no longer able to do,” assured Moore.

Moore also noted that the outlook for the local theater is exciting and that there are many possibilities.

“We have an opportunity to look at what we can do to strengthen and expand our programming,” she said.

TLHD has been in existence for 48 years and the board intends for it to continue for many more years to come. Moore said that now more than ever support from the community is important to TLHD, and that many people and businesses have contributed in numerous ways.

“We are thankful to each and every one of them and look forward to their continued support as well as the possibility of forming new relationships with those getting to know the theater for the first time,” she said.

How can the community help?

Moore said that the theater has a wish list of tools and other items that came from St. Cloud in the past or that have worn out in the past 48 years. The theater board would be grateful for any financial and in-kind contributions it receives. All donations are tax-deductible, noted Moore.

And, volunteers are always welcome and appreciated.

For more information about how to help, contact Melissa Moore at (320) 846-3150.

Tags: theatre, l, homme, dieu, association, st, cloud, state, university