South Dakota’s Leading Professional Regional Theater Company
For over seven decades, the Black Hills Playhouse (BHP) has captivated audiences with dynamic theatre productions, becoming South Dakota’s oldest and most cherished historic summer stock theatre. Since its inception, BHP has expanded its mission to reach audiences across the state, providing a broad spectrum of accessible and educational programming that enriches communities. As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, BHP remains committed to delivering exceptional theatre experiences that engage diverse audiences and strengthen South Dakota’s cultural fabric.
From thrilling summer seasons in Custer State Park to year-round educational initiatives, BHP's dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure the magic of theatre never stops. With offices in Rapid City and an education hub in Sioux Falls, their passionate staff continually strive to create programs that bring people together, fostering a love of the arts in every corner of the state.
Now, it's time to pull back the curtain! We are excited to introduce you to the incredible individuals who work behind the scenes, making each production and program an unforgettable experience.
Meet the Year-Round Staff
Executive Director
Linda Anderson
Linda, our fearless leader, believes that art is an economic driver for vibrant communities. She is a fixer and builder, a musician, and is always ready for a challenge - the bigger, the better. Linda believes the Playhouse belongs to everyone, that access for all is important, and is grateful to all who came before her. We are beyond thankful for her leadership and expertise.
Artistic Director, Actor
Dan Workman
Dan, the magic man, fuels the artistic vision of the BHP and is a proud Dakota Players founder. He works diligently to cast our seasons and seek out Dakota Players artists, going out to scout across the country for talent to bring back to the Black Hills. His passion for the BHP goes beyond words, and we wouldn’t be able to put on the caliber of performances we do without his creative vision!
Development Director, Actor
Jeff Kingsbury
Jeff’s vibrant energy truly adds life expectancy to the people he interacts with. He has raised thousands for the Playhouse, and believes our customers are the best! He is also an actor extraordinaire, with a green thumb on top of it all. We love Jeff and his goals of ensuring prosperity for the Playhouse.
Physical Plant Manager--BHP Campus
Darryn Witt
Darryn ensures our historic campus is a beautiful place for a night of theatre! He has returned to the area after a 30-year career with the National Park Service and has special training which is helping us with emergency management plans and fire prevention! Darryn has a passion for the forest and is super-skilled and enthusiastic about the future and potential of the BHP campus
Education Director
Deb Workman
A true believer in every person's abilities and superpowers, Deb brings creativity to life through her leadership. Deb leads the way with kindness and strength. She is a creator of opportunities and magic for the people we serve and for her staff. She considers herself a student of life and is constantly learning about herself through her experiences with the world around her.
Community/Development Associate
Kassi Blue-Scates
Kassi brings constant positive energy to the BHP office; interacting with her is like a warm hug. She is a dreamer and self-starter who loves the adventure of life and family. She works from the heart to celebrate those around her, and you can feel it! The Theatre is where it's at for her, and it has been a lifelong love.
Operations Guru
Liam Blue-Scates
Liam, ah Liam! He loves spreadsheets and a good puzzle (which sometimes are the same thing). He regularly acts in local productions and shares a passion for theatre with his lovely wife Kassi. We are thankful for Liam’s coordination and continual bright energy. And, hey, that great accent from the UK is just bonus goodness!
Education Outreach Coordinator
Erin Wegleitner
Erin’s organization and database skills are a true asset to our educational programming. Artist, organizer, designer, and educator are just a few of the hats she has worn while passionately working in theatre. Erin is a firm believer in making art accessible for everyone and works with the most rural communities to help them get access to theatre.
Education Program Coordinator
Jack Bledsoe
Jack is an energetic, creative optimist with a big smile, huge dreams, and a gigantic heart (Our kind of person). Jack is extremely passionate about creating a safe space to foster creativity for artists at any age or stage, and making theatre accessible for all! He has the all-important job of training and managing our incredible touring artists who bring magic across the state.
Education Production Coordinator
Caitlyn Nordeen
We are thrilled to welcome one of our newest members to the BHP team, Caitlyn (Caty)! They are a creative problem solver with a knack for organizing the chaos (Something we cherish in our educational programs). Caty is celebrated for their creative flair and collaborative spirit, all while fostering positive and inclusive environments.
Meet the Tour Staff
We have some amazing people join our staff to bring educational programming to life! We are pleased to introduce to you all these exceptional humans.
2024 Tour Staff
Tour Actor/Director
Emma LaPlante
Emma is from Michigan, and boy, are we loving the energy she is bringing! Emma is passionate about theater, cherishing virtues like empathy and self-assurance, which she aims to share on her artistic journey.
Tour Actor/Director
Landon Holub
Landon comes to us from Texas and has a deep passion for the arts, Landon strives to bring creativity and beauty to every aspect of their life. Known for his great laugh, he believes in the power of humor to connect and uplift and is committed to integrity and kindness.
Tour Actor/Director
Abbie Brown
Abbie is from Texas and has been rocking it this season with Dakota Players. Abbie aims to infuse creativity and joy into every experience. She finds inspiration in exploring the world and sharing her experiences through art. Abbie is guided by a deep sense of gratitude and purpose, and we are thankful for her influence on tour.
Tour Actor/Director
Krista Wander
Driven by her love for storytelling and the arts. Dedicated to enriching the communities of South Dakota and inspiring the students within them. Krista comes to us from New York and brings all kinds of charm and sparkle to her work with kids across our state.
This amazing group of people is dedicated to making sure you, our beloved audience, and artists have the experience of a lifetime at the Black Hills Playhouse. Thank you for helping is make the magic come alive.