We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
By Donna Miller
BCJ News
In May, the Northeastern Arts Network (NEAN) of Montana announced its 2024-2025 Big Sky Concert Series. The program will kick-off from September 23-27 when the Montana Repertory Theatre will present Monster + Farmer: A Frankenstein Tale by JM Christiansen. Performance stops will include Sidney, Glasgow, Malta, and Dodson.
When the artists perform in Dodson at 9:30 on Monday morning, September 23, students from Turner Public Schools will travel to attend. "This program is valuable because it provides exposure to the arts that rural school students don't always have the opportunity to experience. Students will also benefit from the opportunity to see how going after your passions and talents can be used by sharing with others in rural areas," stated Turner Superintendent, Jenni McAllister.
Established in 1967 and celebrating its 58th season, The Rep serves as the resident professional theatre for the University of Montana in Missoula. Their performance on Monday represents a component in their educational out-reach.
With this show, they invite audiences to step into the world of Riley, a teenage science enthusiast living on a Montana ranch near the Mission Mountains. When she picks up a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Riley is inspired to craft a DIY creature of her own – all chronicled on her YouTube channel. When her creation takes an unexpected turn, Riley and her brother Aidan must minimize the chaos (and save the cows!), while all the world watches through their smartphones.
Offering a thought-provoking theatrical experience, Monster + Farmer explores themes of creation and connection in an increasingly digital world. When asked how his play addresses educational themes, playwright JM Christiansen replied: "Monster + Farmer is about a teenager who loves to learn and who uses her unique gifts to create, to invent, and to teach. Though Riley's inventions are fictitious, the spirit of curiosity that drives her is very real. It drives all of us who love to learn."
In the course of the play, Riley teaches the audience about certain scientific principles and about Mary Shelley's work writing the original novel. At one point in the novel, Victor Frankenstein takes a long hike high up into the mountains to confront his wayward creature. In fact, that scene inspired Christiansen to wonder: What if someone chased a creature into Montana's mountains? From that seed of thought, the play was born.
According to the playwright, another aspect the play explores is how the pressure to develop and constantly maintain a face or presence on social media might contribute to the growing concerns of isolation and mental health in our nation's schools.
"Riley and Aidan experience the power of setting down our screens, of reaching out personally to help someone and being present, really present, for the people around us. I hope students and families are encouraged to prioritize the work of maintaining relationships. In our chosen and inherited communities, we are responsible for one another. That responsibility is what makes up the meaningful, world-changing stuff of humanity," stated Christensen.
NEAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural enrichment of Montana's communities. Their Big Sky Series is made possible in part by the Montana Performing Arts Consortium Presenter Development Program. That program is supported not only by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Montana Arts Council but by a legislative grant from Montana's Cultural Trust and Western States Arts Federation.
The remainder of the Big Sky Series will include The Lucky Valentines in October, The Jazz Legacy Project in November, and Backtrack Vocals in March.
