Bold Theatre. Rich Legacy
A New Chapter Begins
Theatre 605 carries forward the 80+ year legacy of the Black Hills Playhouse, reimagined for a new generation of storytellers and dreamers.
Theatre 605:
Telling Stories. Changing Lives.
Vision
Theatre 605 will be the region’s model for professional and educational theatre, championing innovation, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Mission
Theatre 605: Telling Stories. Changing Lives.
Values
INCLUSION: Theatre is an integral part of the human experience and needs to be accessible to all. We embrace shared humanity, in order to experience transformation through theatre.
ARTS / COMMUNITY IMPACT: Arts are impactful vehicles for social, civic, cultural, and educational engagement and vital to the growth of dynamic communities.
RELATIONSHIPS: Strong, deep, and meaningful relationships are key to sustainability and extend the reach of the T605 mission.
SUSTAINABILITY: Responsible management, strategic planning, and engaged teams are essential to the success of the Theatre 605.
Diversity Statement
Theatre 605 is dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where theatre reflects and amplifies the full spectrum of the human experience.
Land Acknowledgement
Theatre 605 acknowledges that we are on the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne and Oceti Sakowin people. These lands, water, and waterways are the unceded territories and the homeland of the Lakota, the Dakota, and the Nakota Nations. Theatre 605 is committed to reflecting the continued legacy of all of the original peoples of South Dakota. We acknowledge the Lakota people as the traditional custodians of the Black Hills. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. We also pay our respects to the Indigenous men and women who have contributed to the defense of the United States of America in times of peace and war.
The People Behind the Curtain
staff, creatives, and collaborators who make the magic happen
Believes that art is an economic driver for vibrant communities. Fixer and builder. Musician. Always ready for a challenge - the bigger, the better. Knows theatre transforms lives and the importance of access for all.
Linda Anderson
Executive Director
Leads the artistic vision of the T605 and is the co-founder of Dakota Players, alongside his wife Debra, with whom he has shared over 30 years. He casts the season by scouting talent from across the nation to highlight in the Black Hills. His passion for T605 goes beyond words.
Dan Workman
Artistic Director – Black Hills Playhouse
Has a strong track record of fundraising for the T605, fostering creativity and connecting with diverse audiences to build lasting relationships that support the organization's growth and sustainability. They blend outstanding acting abilities with a love for gardening with the heart of a child.
Jeff Kingsbury
Development Director
Jen Luke is a theatre artist who loves the prairie and is passionate about creating performance opportunities for all people. She believes theatre helps individuals rehearse the lives they want to live, building connection, confidence, and community onstage and beyond.
JEN LUKE
Artistic Director- Tours, Jr. Camps, Expanding Stage
A dreamer and self-motivated individual who embraces the journey of life and cherishes family. She puts her heart into celebrating the people around her. For her, the theatre is the ultimate passion!
Kassi Blue-Scates
Development Associate
Enjoys working with spreadsheets and solving puzzles. Participates in local theater productions and shares a deep passion for the arts with his lovely wife, Kassi.
Liam Blue-Scates
Operations Director
Calendaring wizard and designer who thrives on the intersection of education and the arts, ensuring that communities have access to transformative theatre experiences.
A firm believer in making art accessible for everyone.
Erin I. Wegleitner
Edu Operations Associate
A creative, outgoing soul with a big passion for bringing storytelling and the arts to communities all around. An avid performer both theatrically and vocally in the Black Hills area. Her grand organizational skills and bubbly personality bring an added spark to the behind the scenes of what Theatre 605 is all about!
Gretchen Lindenberg
Operations Assistant
A creative problem solver with a knack for organizing the chaos. Caty is celebrated for her creative flair and collaborative spirit all while fostering positive and inclusive environments. Her ability to inspire those around her makes her an invaluable asset.
Caitlyn Nordeen
Edu Production Coordinator
Recently returned after a 30-year career with the National Park Service and has a passion for the forest. His skills and enthusiasm ensure that the T605 Company and its audiences can rely on him to maintain buildings, grounds, and equipment effectively.
Darryn Witt
Physical Plant Manager–BHP Campus
Alex is someone who thrives in a lifestyle filled with collaboration and shared creative experiences. She loves to celebrate others artistic growth and promote individual discovery through theatrical endeavors. She believes theatre expands our minds and promotes a world of empowerment, empathy and inclusion.
Alex Newcomb Weiland
Edu Program Associate
2026 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Theatre 605 Board of Directors manages finances, addresses governance issues, and works closely with staff to develop strategies for success. This group is passionate about the T605 Mission: Telling Stories. Changing Lives. They are an essential part of the T605 Team and we are grateful for all they accomplish.
Erin Goetzinger
President, Board Development, Gala Committees
Household Manager & Grandma Extraordinaire, former aide to Senator Tom Daschle
Rapid City, SD
Ron Jeffries
President Elect, Board Development (Chair), Legislative / Legal, Physical Plant Committees
General Manager, Central States Fair & BH Stock Show & Rodeo
Rapid City, SD
Joe Williams
Secretary
Host of 5 Plain Questions Podcast, Bush Leadership Fellow
Fargo, ND
Mandie Weinandt
Treasurer, Finance Committee (Chair)
Director of Center for Teaching and Learning, Professor, Beacom School of Business, USD
Dakota Dunes, SD
Eric Hagen
Past President, Education Committee
Professor Emeritus of Theatre, University of SD
Minneapolis, MN
Corey Brown
Legislative / Legal Committee (Chair)
Vice President Government Relations, Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD
Rick Giesel
Finance, Legislative / Legal, Physical Plant (Chair) Committees
Retired, former President, Sanford Health Network
Rapid City, SD
Dr. Bruce Kelley
Advisor
Dean, College of Fine Arts, University of SD
Vermillion, SD
2026 Board of Directors
Theatre 605 is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who champion our mission, steward our vision,and ensure we continue creating meaningful arts experiences for our community.
Ronni Calvird
Physical Plant Committee
American Family Insurance Agent
Custer, SD
Tom Geu
Legal / Legislative, Finance Committees
Retired Professor, Knudson School of Law, USD
Vermillion, SD
Rai Genna
Education (Chair)
Chair and Associate Professor, USD Theatre, Coordinator of BFA\ Studies, Director of Graduate Studies
Vermillion, SD
Brie Groves
Finance Committee
Rapid City Arts Council Business Manager
Rapid City, SD
Janet Kahler
Finance Committee
Philanthropist & Rotarian
Rapid City, SD
Deb Kuehn
Finance, Gala Committees
Certified Neonatal and Family Nurse Practitioner, Monument Rapid City Hospital
Rapid City, SD
Mark Meersman
BHPAA Representative, Finance Committee
Compliance and Business Integrity Officer for the VA Black Hills Health Care System
Rapid City, SD
Tyler Micheel
Physical Plant Committee
USD Assistant Professor of Lighting, Sound Design, and Technology
Vermillion, SD
Charolyn Mize
Physical Plant, Education Committees
Retired Educator
Spearfish, SD
Carrie Moore
Gala Committee
Owner, Petals and Pages
Custer, SD
Cynthia Robertson
Theatre 605 Gala Co-Chair, Education Committee
Homeschool Educator and former Public School Teacher
Rapid City, SD
Stephanie Rissler
Board Development Committee
Communication Manager, SD Health Care Association, SD G, F & P Commission Chair
Vermillion, SD
Anjelica Sasse
Finance, Gala Committees
Compensation Analyst, Black Hills Energy
Rapid City, SD
Eric Whitcher
Legal / Legislative Committee
Attorney, St. Johns Law, St. Augustine, FL
Rapid City, SD
80 Years of Theatre That Matters
TELLING STORIES. CHANGING LIVES.
No matter a person’s age, income, background, or zip code, creativity is a fundamental part of how we learn, heal, and understand one another.
Theatre 605 works to make theatre participation accessible in South Dakota, promotes healthy expression and creative learning for youth, creates opportunities for artists to be professionally employed, and provides high-quality entertainment and thought-provoking productions for our communities.
931+ Communities toured
5,731 Live stage performances
Over 1 M Audience members over 80 years