Badlands Opera Project

05/30/2026

Still don't have your tickets to Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical JR.? Skip to the front of the line! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/badlands-opera-project/68c1d32a14bd21277cb9c89b/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL2W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL2W

05/29/2026

CAST UPDATE FOR TEDDY AND ALICE!

We are excited to officially announce Dr. William Hansard as Theodore Roosevelt in Teddy & Alice at Dickinson State University!

When discussing this opportunity, Dr. William Hansard shared:
“I have spent the past four years with Theodore Roosevelt.”

As a historian, educator, and scholar connected to the Theodore Roosevelt Center, Dr. Hansard brings a deep understanding of Roosevelt’s life, leadership, writings, and legacy to this production. His passion for history and storytelling will make this portrayal incredibly meaningful both on and off the stage.

This production is about bringing history to life through theatre, music, and community collaboration, and we cannot wait for audiences to experience this journey with us.

History. Theatre. Music. North Dakota.

This is going to be something special!

05/26/2026

Dickinson locals! Don’t be shy; get your audition for Pirates of Penzance submitted. We would like to see a lot of people get involved. This production is guaranteed to be high energy and pure fun!
Musical theatre people, if you’ve never participated in an opera before, I recommend you give participating in Pirates of Penzance a shot. While it is an opera, there are aspects of it that function similarly to a classic golden age book musical comedy like Once Upon a Mattress.

05/25/2026

🧺 Silent Auction Donations Needed! 🧺

Badlands Opera Project is seeking silent auction baskets and donated items for our upcoming Matilda Jr. The Musical Summer Camp production!

The silent auction will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, during performances of Matilda Jr. at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at DSU’s Stickney Auditorium.

Donations may be dropped off at Stickney Auditorium from June 7, - June 11, between 12:00–5:00 PM.

Proceeds from the silent auction will help support Badlands Opera Project’s 2026–2027 season programming.

Thank you for helping us continue to inspire, educate, and engage through music and storytelling!

For questions or to arrange an alternate drop-off time, please contact us.

05/16/2026

The show begins with the first click! Check out the Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical JR. website for a taste of what's coming. ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/badlands-opera-project/68c1d32a14bd21277cb9c89b/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL4W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL4W

05/16/2026

You still have 2 weeks to submit your audition for Pirates of Penzance. This show is going to be high energy and fun, come join us!

Audition Notice!

You can now submit your audition materials for Pirates of Penzance to [email protected] due May 31st.

You will need a resume, a headshot, and a video of you singing an art song or an aria.

Before submitting please fill out this Google form, so we can get the rest of the information we need and track auditioners. We can't wait to hear you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvMe_DOBJ8oH8HzKU-BxDbdJcN20aDaGZuruf7D7mCQtGmpg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101982288019496644638

05/15/2026

[Cast Highlight]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Teddy and Alice with Jesse Kilwein as Elihu Root.

Jesse Kilwein is a Dickinson native tenor who is so honored to be able to perform in this historic production of Teddy & Alice for America's 250th birthday! Jesse grew up going to Medora and the Badlands every summer. To honor our beautiful landscape and the man that worked to protect it, and all public lands, is a great privilege. Thank you to the Blue Hawk Theatre Guild, and all who helped bring this to life!

You may have seen Jesse in The Pajama Game (Prez, Trinity High School), The Lucky Stiff (Harry Witherspoon, Dickinson State University), Festival! (Aucassin, Dickinson State University), Godspell (disciple/himself, Badlands Opera Project), or most recently in Once Upon a Mattress with Badlands Opera Project as The Minstrel! As much love as Jesse has for the musical theater world (and being The Narrator), his heart truly lies with straight plays. He spent years on stage at DSU creating memories with friends, teachers, and collaborators, most notably as Adam in 'The Shape of Things' by Neil Labute. Love to all who made that show a memory to last a lifetime. Finally, you may have seen him as one of many wacky characters in support of The Dickinson Public Schools Foundation, in their yearly Mystery Dinner Theatre.

Jesse currently serves as the Vice President of the board for Badlands Opera Project, and is forever grateful to this community for the continued support of live theater and music. Thanks to my family who has been there with me literally every single step of the way the past 15 years, and friends/teachers/mentors who were there before that and continuing to this day. Thank you for allowing me - and us - to create for you here, in our backyard, for so long. Bully! (Is that my line?)

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Dakota Pro Musica put on a fantastic concert. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the concert and would you like to see similar things hosted by BOP added to future seasons.

05/13/2026

In case you haven’t heard, we have an incredible year of theatre ahead of us!!!

It’s finally here! Set sail with Badlands Opera Project for our special themed 5th anniversary season with pirates, adventure, and great music!

Keep an eye out for information on Pirates of Penzance auditions to be posted very soon.