Linn-Benton Community College’s Theater Program was cut in 2019 due to budget constraints. Since then, the Russell Tripp Performance Center has been empty. It has hosted meetings, choir concerts, and a few other performances periodically, but for the most part it has been waiting for someone to use it.
Mid-Valley Productions, MVP, is a non-profit organization founded by multiple LBCC alumni through their shared passion for performing arts. Their origin dates back to February 2023, where the group had an idea for a production company. Erah, one of the co-founders said, “We were all pretty devastated when we heard that the theater program was defunded… It was a shame that such a beautiful theater was just sitting there. So the idea was born to approach the college and ask if we might be able to use it and strike up a deal.”
It took about a year, but through their connections at LBCC they met with the full board including the President which ultimately led to the partnership we see today. Erah commented on this, “I’ve never worked so hard for so long and kept my mouth shut about it. It is such a big deal for us.”
Although MVP is utilizing the Russell Tripp Performance Center, it is important to mention that they are neither accredited nor a co-curricular. They are an entirely separate entity and not funded by LBCC at all, it is fully a passion project. This means that students cannot earn college credit for participating in the program. This does not discourage them however, their mission is to integrate with LBCC as much as they are allowed to. “We are very much about education for the arts, getting students involved at every level, whether that is on stage, behind the scenes, in our workshops, or classes that we’re going to provide. We plan to provide training on tech, rigging, set building, and other theater related things. Ultimately, we would like to run almost up to a trade school level,” Erah said. This aligns with LBCC’s educational objectives of providing practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for diverse career paths.
This also means that their program is open for everyone, not just LBCC students. Erah clarified, “This program is for the entire community, and is basically just held here. It’s for Benton County and beyond. We hope to partner with people down in the Springfield and Eugene area and then all the way up to Salem.” The inclusivity
of their programs ensures that individuals from all backgrounds and skill levels have access to these enriching and rigorous opportunities.
When Erah attended LBCC over 20 years ago, she told the theater program’s manager that one day she would get a hold of the Russell Tripp Performance Center and do something more with it. He told her not to bother and to go out and live her life. But Erah’s dream never stopped and has finally come full circle. MVP is now in full swing to bring life back to the Russell Tripp Performance Center after the program cuts in 2019.
The journey from conceptualizing Mid-Valley Productions to preparing for their inaugural show, “Hitchin’” is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the founders and team members. It involved months of planning, negotiations with LBCC, securing funding, and coordinating logistics. Each step of this journey reflects their passion for theater and their commitment to realizing their vision of a thriving performing arts scene in the region. Everyone is welcome to attend, and they plan to offer students a discount for each of their productions. They hope to work with professors to give students some extra credit for attending as well.
The synopsis of the musical is captivating:
Hitchin’ is the story of a young man who hitchhikes from Detroit, Michigan to Seattle, Washington during the summer of 1970. On that journey, he encounters a variety of people who stop to pick him up and share their lives with him. Many themes presented through these encounters include scenes of friendship, rebellion, sexuality, homophobia and aging. Hitchin’ takes place during the contentious times of the Vietnam War and depicts the societal upheaval it created.
For those eager to get involved with any of MVP’s projects, you can visit their website https://www.midvalleyproductions.org/ and contact them from there. Whether it’s performing on stage, working behind the scenes, or simply lending their support as enthusiastic audience members, everyone of all backgrounds are invited to become part of this mission.
While Mid-Valley Productions, MVP stands as a beacon of hope for the revitalization of LBCC’s Russell Tripp Performance Center, its impact extends far beyond the stage curtains. The void left behind from the theater program’s defunding in 2019 left a critical need for avenues where students could engage with their passion for performing arts. MVP has emerged as a catalyst for change,
offering not just a platform for artistic expression, but also a gateway for students to engage, learn, and grow.
