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11.11.26 Megan Maloney
Megan Maloney spoke about her first year as the executive director of TRFACT, the upcoming Evening of Short Comedies, their new initiative Theater Solo, and their radio performances on Pioneer 90.1.
An Evening of Short Comedies November 19-21. Fifth annual comedy showcase runs November 19−21, featuring local performers, works byhometown playwright Allison Page and a special Theater Solo experience on opening night. This will be at the Eagles Club at 7 PM in Thief River Falls.
This year’s production brings together a collection of short comedic works, giving audiences a fast- moving evening of humor, surprises and familiar faces from the local theater community. Each piece offers its own characters, situations and comedic twists. The production features a talented local cast and includes several works by Thief River Falls native and playwright Allison Page. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Page has built acareer writing comedy for the stage and screen, with work published internationally and performed across the United States. (Find her Let’s Talk Art interview under Podcasts on our website).
Whether audiences are longtime supporters of community theater or simply looking for an entertaining night out, An Evening of Short Comedies offers a chance to enjoy a variety of stories, see local performers in action and share a few laughs. This year’s cast includes Stephanie White, Heidi Thompson, Gracie Crocker, Wade Benson, Shelby Pahlen, Mara Hanel, Alex Evans, Rebecca Lamont, Scott Pream, Leah Wattenphul, Brianna Geer, Spencer Wittman, Megan Maloney, Ginger Kirkeby, and Paul Maloney. The production’s crew includes Carl Dahlberg on lighting, Ben Wattenphul on sound, Ginger Kirkeby on costumes, Nevaeh Messner on the backstage crew, and Megan Maloney on sets and props.
Theater Solo. For opening night on Thursday, November 19, TRFACT is introducing Theater Solo, a new initiative for people who would like to attend a show but may be coming on their own or looking for a way to connect with others in the community. Theater Solo was created to make theater feel more accessible and welcoming. They're launching it on opening night of An Evening of Short Comedies to welcome people who are new to the community, coming on their own, or don’t have someone to go with but would still love to enjoy a night at the theater.
Theater Solo participants are invited to a casual pre-show gathering at 6 PM at the Eagles Club, where Community Navigators from Advance Thief River will help welcome guests, make introductions, and get conversations started. The experience includes a free drink, with non-alcoholic options available, and reserved seating with other Theater Solo attendees. Doors open for seating at 6:30 PM, with the performance beginning at 7 PM. Guests are welcome to come on their own or bring a friend. Theater Solo is presented by TRFACT in partnership with Advance Thief River.
Performance Information
• An Evening of Short Comedies: November 19−21, 2026 | 7 PM nightly
• Location: The Eagles Club, 305 Red Lake Boulevard, Thief River Falls
• Tickets: General admission tickets are $14 and are available at TRFACT.org or at the door.
• Theater Solo Experience: $20 (available for opening night only, Thursday, November 19). Includes the 6 p.m. pre-show gathering, one drink and reserved seating with otherTheater Solo attendees.
For tickets and more information, visit TRFACT.org or find Thief River Falls ACT on FB at TRFAreaCommunity Theater.
11.4.26 Allison Page
Allison Page grew up in Thief River Falls and now is a playwright and comedy writer living in Nashville, Tennessee. Several comedic pieces that she wrote are in this year's TRFACT's An Evening of Short Comedies.
Some background on Allison: Her plays include Terms & Conditions (2026/2027 ORIGINS play at Coachella Valley Rep), There Have Been a Series of Miracles at Shrieking Ridge (2025 Clubbed Thumb Biennial Commission Semifinalist), Roberta at the Bottom of the Pool (2024 Tennessee Playwrights Studio Fellowship), Over a Barrel (Paul Bunyan Playhouse), Sorry About The Galvanism (Duluth Playhouse), The Jersey Devil Play (Awesome Theatre Company), and many others. Her published works include The Pyramid (YouthPLAYS), Hilarity (EXIT Press), and Dear Philosopher (Penguin Australia). For 12 years, she worked regularly for San Francisco’s largest sketch comedy company Killing My Lobster, as a writer, head writer, director, award-winning performer, and from 2014-2022, she also served as Artistic Director. Her pilot script, Himbo, was a second-rounder at Austin Film Festival. She likes to write about monsters who are sometimes also people.
After the TRFACT show, her next production is also her first outside the United States — The Hello Girls when it gets its world premiere in Paris.
𝑨𝒏 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 will be performed November 19-21 at 7 PM at the TRF Eagles Club. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/TRFACTEOS.
Listen to the conversation to hear more about Allison’s background and current projects. Find Allison on her website at allisonpageishere.com.
4.15.26 Jane Anderson
TRFACT’s former Executive Director Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls is this year’s Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Jane and Phil spoke about Jane’s background, theater, meeting Ethel Merman and more!
Jane is a theater artist – actor, singer, director, costumer -- and former Executive Director and founding member of the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater (TRFACT). Her decades of service, leadership, and advocacy have had a profound impact on area actors and audiences. Jane believes in nurturing young artists for their development and to sustain a vibrant arts community. Her unwavering commitment to the arts and arts education and her extraordinary ability to strengthen and expand the local theater community can be felt throughout our region.
This award will be presented on Saturday, April 25 in Warroad at Warroad RiverPlace University of Minnesota. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Funding for this award comes from the Minnesota State Legislature. Congratulations, Jane!
Listen to the conversation to learn more and join us on April 25 in Warroad.
11.5.25 Megan Maloney
Megan Maloney spoke with Phil about her history in the arts, taking over as the Executive-Artistic Director of Thief River Falls Community Theater, and Jane’s legacy. TRFACT is producing An Evening of Short Comedies Nov 13-15 at the Eagles Club in Thief River. Tickets are available online at TRFACT.org or at the door. Megan shared how they come up with the upcoming shows. The upcoming season will include The Sound of Music (directed by Jane Anderson), for kids ages 2nd-5th grade Frozen Kids, Teresa McGriff will be directing The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, and Something Rotten Jr for teens. Listen to all of the conversation!
5.21.25 Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson, Executive Director of the Thief River Falls Community Theater, spoke about TRFACT’s 30 year anniversary, the organization, the upcoming shows this summer, including Little Shop of Horrors (June 4-6 and 9-11), Seussical Kids (June 24-26), Talking with … by Jane Martin (July 9-10), and The Addams Family (July 29-31). You can buy tickets for these shows online at TRFACT.org. Jane also shared anecdotes about the importance and impact of theater for kids, as well as her work at TRFACT (including grant writing, publicity, and signing contracts, and more. Listen to the conversation to learn more about TRFACT and theater!
3.26.25 Samantha Buckley
Thief River Falls native Samantha Buckley is this week’s featured podcast guest. Samantha was active in TRFACT during her time in Thief River. After high school, she attended college and graduated from Mankato State with a BFA. Afterwards, she moved to the Twin Cities and acted in a variety of shows, including being an understudy in a performance at the Minnesota Children’s Theater. Samantha now lives and acts in Chicago. Listen to hear her advice for aspiring performers and about her experiences as an actor, singer, and voice artist.
2.12.25 Isaiah Burkel
Isaiah Burkel is a classically trained singer (a tenor) from Thief River Falls. He acted in the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater as he grew up in northwest Minnesota. He has sung with the Minnesota Opera in the chorus. Listen to his conversation with Phil about his career, experience, the impact of participating in theater in his youth, how the Minnesota Opera works, his advice, and more!
11.7.23 Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls is the Director of the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater. She and Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West spoke about ACT's upcoming An Evening of Short Comedies November 16-18. She entertained Ron with stories about her theater background and more. Finally, she provided an update about other ACT shows and happenings. Listen to learn more and head to Thief River to see the show!
10.18.22 Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson, Executive Director of the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater is featured in this podcast. She spoke about her history in theater and TRFACT. She also talked about the current exhibition at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls -- More Drama Please! and TRFACT's presence in it. Finally, she spoke about the weekly Pioneer 90.1 radio segment — Voices of the Theater — featuring TRFACT performers and dramas.