Masquers go retro for theater's annual gala and fundraiser
Upcoming season kicks off in October with fall musical "Anastasia."
Updated
A banner, "I Love the '80s," greeted visitors to the Masquers Theater auditorium during the performing troupe's annual gala event and season kickoff Saturday evening in Soap Lake.Photos by Randy Bracht
SOAP LAKE — The Masquers set the Way-Back Machine to the 1980s — the era of big hair, neon spandex and Walkman cassette players — for their annual gala event Saturday evening at the Soap Lake theater.
A festive crowd embraced the Prom Night theme and dressed up for the occasion, which offered a peek at the upcoming season and a look back at the season that was.
Masquers board members Alex Kovach (left) and Stacey Bresee had an '80s vibe going Saturday night.
“It was totally tubular,” quipped emcee Clifford Bresee, bedecked with headband and parachute pants.
Bresee told an appreciative audience that the performing troupe was “proud and happy of the work we’ve done.” There were different opportunities, from comedic Shakespeare to poignant drama, for actors and actresses to “stretch their talents” while entertaining Grant County residents over the past year, he said.
A big part of the evening was to say “thank you, thank you, thank you” to the patrons, members, sponsors, businesses, board of directors and volunteers who continue to support “this small, rural theater,” said Bresee.
But it “costs a lot of money to put on a show … and to maintain” the facility, he said.
Gala emcee Clifford Bresee (above) welcomed the audience (below) to the Soap Lake theater.
Along with other fundraising efforts, the Masquers have initiated a campaign to finance replacement of the theater’s decades-old, energy-consuming incandescent lighting with new LED lights that, said Bresee, “are the future.”
In recognition of their contributions, Sherry Joski and Jesse Huntwork were special honorees during the program. Joski, both actress and board treasurer, was presented with the MOPET — Masquers Outstanding Person in Esprit de Theatre — Award. Huntwork was inducted into the Masquers Hall of Fame for his long relationship with the theater as an actor, director, craftsman, and supporter.
Sherry Joski (left) and Jesse Huntwork (pictured at a prior musical rehearsal) were special honorees by the Masquers.
Special thanks was also given to Cloudview Kitchen for catering Saturday’s event and to raffle prize donors, said Bresee and Marla Allsopp, respectively the board of directors’ immediate past and current presidents. Other board members include vice president Cecily Hendricks, secretary Alex Kovach, Dennis Beich, Stacey Bresee, Allison Pheasant, and Darryl Pheasant.
In case the sign wasn't a clue, Masquers board president Marla Allsopp (above) was preparing to present a gift to some lucky ticket holder. Below, "Anastasia" and "A Snow White Christmas" are shown as featured productions in the upcoming season.
Here's a look at some of the other festive folks who brightened Saturday night in Soap Lake:
The Masquers have mounted a campaign to fund improved, energy-efficient lighting for the facility.
The Masquers Theater opens its 2026-27 season this fall with the acclaimed musical, “Anastasia,” directed by Rachel and Stacey Bresee with musical direction by Clark Dalton. The production will run over four weekends, from Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 8. Friday performances will start at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.
The season lineup will also include:
— “Snow White Christmas,” directed by Carol Boyce, Dec. 4-13;
— “The Foreigner,” directed by Greg Becker, Feb. 12-28;
— “The Importance of Being Earnest,” directed by Cassi Nelson, April 9-25;
— “Peter and the Starcatcher,” directed by Rebekah Bresee and Zhane Serrano, June 18-July 3;
— Masquers Summer Theater Camp – “Imagine a Dragon,” directed by Jessica Stredwick and Auti Kirk, Aug. 2-6.
Note: this article was updated Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 to include the Masquers' full production schedule for 2026-27.
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Masquers go retro for theater's annual gala and fundraiser
Upcoming season kicks off in October with fall musical "Anastasia."
SOAP LAKE — The Masquers set the Way-Back Machine to the 1980s — the era of big hair, neon spandex and Walkman cassette players — for their annual gala event Saturday evening at the Soap Lake theater.
A festive crowd embraced the Prom Night theme and dressed up for the occasion, which offered a peek at the upcoming season and a look back at the season that was.
“It was totally tubular,” quipped emcee Clifford Bresee, bedecked with headband and parachute pants.
Bresee told an appreciative audience that the performing troupe was “proud and happy of the work we’ve done.” There were different opportunities, from comedic Shakespeare to poignant drama, for actors and actresses to “stretch their talents” while entertaining Grant County residents over the past year, he said.
A big part of the evening was to say “thank you, thank you, thank you” to the patrons, members, sponsors, businesses, board of directors and volunteers who continue to support “this small, rural theater,” said Bresee.
But it “costs a lot of money to put on a show … and to maintain” the facility, he said.
Along with other fundraising efforts, the Masquers have initiated a campaign to finance replacement of the theater’s decades-old, energy-consuming incandescent lighting with new LED lights that, said Bresee, “are the future.”
In recognition of their contributions, Sherry Joski and Jesse Huntwork were special honorees during the program. Joski, both actress and board treasurer, was presented with the MOPET — Masquers Outstanding Person in Esprit de Theatre — Award. Huntwork was inducted into the Masquers Hall of Fame for his long relationship with the theater as an actor, director, craftsman, and supporter.
Special thanks was also given to Cloudview Kitchen for catering Saturday’s event and to raffle prize donors, said Bresee and Marla Allsopp, respectively the board of directors’ immediate past and current presidents. Other board members include vice president Cecily Hendricks, secretary Alex Kovach, Dennis Beich, Stacey Bresee, Allison Pheasant, and Darryl Pheasant.
Here's a look at some of the other festive folks who brightened Saturday night in Soap Lake:
The Masquers Theater opens its 2026-27 season this fall with the acclaimed musical, “Anastasia,” directed by Rachel and Stacey Bresee with musical direction by Clark Dalton. The production will run over four weekends, from Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 8. Friday performances will start at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.
The season lineup will also include:
— “Snow White Christmas,” directed by Carol Boyce, Dec. 4-13;
— “The Foreigner,” directed by Greg Becker, Feb. 12-28;
— “The Importance of Being Earnest,” directed by Cassi Nelson, April 9-25;
— “Peter and the Starcatcher,” directed by Rebekah Bresee and Zhane Serrano, June 18-July 3;
— Masquers Summer Theater Camp – “Imagine a Dragon,” directed by Jessica Stredwick and Auti Kirk, Aug. 2-6.
Note: this article was updated Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 to include the Masquers' full production schedule for 2026-27.