Established in 1986, Pocatello’s Westside Players, Inc is a non-profit, all-volunteer community theatre company dedicated to offering fine dining and entertainment.  In 2010 Westside received the Pocatello Mayor’s Arts Organization of the Year Award, and this year we celebrate our 27th Anniversary Season.

As a non-profit organization everyone involved in the production (ushers, front desk, actors, directors, technicians, and the board of directors) is a volunteer. As volunteers they are not paid a single penny for the hours of dedication and hard work. If you want to join in the fun, please look at our Volunteers page.

HISTORY

Beginning in 1986 as Theatre on the Road, Westside Players originally performed at various temporary locations throughout Pocatello.

The troupe of thespians soon tired of putting up and taking down the set for every performance and began seeking a more permanent home. At the encouragement of his son, (Stephen, pictured, left) businessman Steve Rhoads Jr. offered rental of a warehouse on 2nd Ave.  They quickly converted the interior of the century old facility into a performance and dining space. The doors of The Warehouse  opened in the autumn of 1990.

Westside Players have continued to make improvements to the building such as the art wall in the lobby and air conditioning. In 2003, thanks to the donations and support of patrons, we were able to purchase The Warehouse, thus securing a performance and dining space for all to enjoy for many years to come.

 

Foundations and donors have helped us immensely. The Beverly Bistline Foundation donated funds to purchase comfortable chairs at our dining tables.  In 2011, we were awarded a $2,600 grant for a new sound system from the Idaho Community Foundation (through the Ifft Foundation Fund) which will greatly enhance the enjoyment of patrons and community groups using the space for activities, such as fundraisers. Another generous grant (2011)  for $1,000 was received from the Idaho Community Foundation (through the Eastern Region Greatest Need Fund)  to improve our antiquated lighting system. In December, 2012 we received a Bistline Technical Upgrade Grant from the ICF of $1505 to improve our costume storage and replace our disintegrating flats.

With The Raise the Roof Drive and the 24 Hour Theatre Event in May, 2012, we completed our roof under the chairmanship of Tom Potter,  and  upgraded our  outdoor mobility access ramp, thanks to a generous. donation from Christina Michelle Philips.

Go to the  Star Donor menu for names of generous patrons who purchased Silver Stars for our 25th Silver Anniversary (2011) and Gold Stars (2012) for our recent Raise the Roof Fundraiser Project.

A wonderful review by long-time patron, Michael Corrigan appeared in the Boise Weekly in December of 2007. See other articles in Related Articles section of About Westside. (Zoom in for easy reading).

 

Board of Directors   (Nov. , 2012)

See “Board Bios” for Member Profiles

Officers Dale Spencer – President

Brian Grant – Secretary,

Mollie Curran – Treasurer

Members-at-Large  Timmia Costin, Jackie Czerepinski, Dana Harris, Gabrielle Joan Kane, Lynn Leonard, Diana Potter, Mark Jones, Misty Trevino.

Ex-Officio Tom Potter, Steve Maheras, Brin Durham, Daniel Varas, Phil Shepherd