SKC dedicates new theatre with ceremony
Zach Kulpa
Salish Kootenai College held the opening dedication for the Johnny Arlee - Victor Charlo Performing Arts Theatre on Thursday evening.
The new theatre will host different events ranging from plays, presentations, film screenings, meetings and many other campus proceedings. The building contains a 210-seat auditorium as well as a concessions area, dressing rooms and a large classroom named after the late Alan Hibbard. Construction began in August of 2007 and numerous upgrades are still anticipated, which include a modular wood floor stage area, a permanent sound system and a new lighting structure.
Johnny Arlee and Victor Charlo are intellectual and spiritual leaders of the tribal community who have incessantly enhanced their culture with artistic endeavors. Arlee is a celebrated author, lecturer and worked as technical advisor on the Robert Redford film "Jeremiah Johnson." Charlo is a renowned playwright and distinguished poet who penned the book "Put Sey."
The ceremony began with a smudging and honor song, followed by an introduction from SKC President Joe McDonald. During Mcdonald's opening comments he provided the large crowd with touching words about the men whom the theatre commemorates. Afterwords, Arlee and Charlo were called to the stage for the ribbon cutting. While they were on stage for the short portion of the dedication proceedings, it became obvious why these two men are so special to their community as they lifted the crowd into uproarious laughter with numerous jokes and witty remarks.
The remainder of the evening was filled with praising comments and gracious words from Renee Pierre, Julie Cajune and Charlo's close friend, Zan Deery. Frank Tyro then paid tribute to the two iconic men with a short video montage of past work, interviews and clips. The video caused the crowd to erupt with laughter during comical scenes, choke up with emotion during touching sections and even hoot and holler at images of the two men in their younger days.
The two honorees ended the ceremony with words for those in attendance. Arlee entertained the crowd with jokes and a story about his adventurous visit to Hollywood before the filming of "Jeremiah Johnson." Charlo read various selected poems and thanked everyone involved in the evening's event.
"I sure am thankful for this tonight," said Arlee to end his speech. "My hopes and my dreams for this building is that it will be something great for our children to use when producing plays and presenting art, thank you again."
It is still possible to purchase a commemorative inscription plaque that will be placed upon one of the Johnny Arlee - Victor Charlo Theatre seats. The engraving purchase will support the Theater Production Fund. Contact Lois Slater at 275-4820 or Gabrialle Berthelson at 275-4979 for more information.