Mask & Rose Theater Thrives

Mask & Rose: Female Thespians Making a Difference
By Christopher Lee Miles



The Mask & Rose Theater of Bemidji has quickly become a viable entertainment option for local residents and tourists alike. Due to the passionate nature of Artistic Director Cate Belleveau, the theater, which touts a nearly exclusive female cast for all productions, has grown from a grassroots beginning to a unique force fueled by feminine power, creativity, and determination.

As a theater patron herself, Belleveau was discontented with female characters in a number of local productions. “Many of the female characters were uninteresting bimbos, which I was just altogether tired of.” When the playhouse eliminated The Children’s Theatre five years ago, several people were discouraged. “That’s when I saw a niche,” states Belleveau, and she set off to create what she desired.
“We attract a wide spectrum of artists and people,” Belleveau says, “The variety of events we offer brings people together that may not otherwise interact. And this is how we are able to grow.” In the beginning, Mask and Rose relied heavily on ticket sales. By offering a variety of creative platforms such as plays, a visual arts gallery, and live music, the theater meets a variety of social needs.

Mask & Rose is now funded by a $30,000 grant from Arts Lab. In January of 2008, Arts Lab collaborated with the Bush, F. R. Bigelow, Mardag, McKnight, and Saint Paul foundations to create support for small arts organizations in Minnesota. Eighty applications were submitted for the Arts Lab grant. Seventeen organizations were awarded money. “I never thought we’d get it,” says Belleveau, “but when we did. The vision really started coming together.”

The women soon went to work seeking a venue for their endeavors. Somewhat ironically, they staked out the Masonic lodge on the corner of Paul Bunyan Drive and Fifth Street. The women painted the outside of the building, removed orange carpet, converted store rooms into art galleries, wiped down walls, and painted chairs. The rich, ornate architecture in the lodge provides an air of history and class to their performances. Mask & Rose pays rent to the Masons monthly. “It’s been an adjustment for them.” says Belleveau. “I don’t think they understood the scope of our desire at first, but the relationship is amicable.”

Mask & Rose is lead by a board of directors that includes Belleveau, Patty Lester, Managing Director, Amanda Anderson, and Cheryl Winnet. The women were attracted to Mask and Rose for various reasons, and they quickly became immersed in the cause.

The goals of “Mask & Rose” are not exclusively about women. “We are interested in communicating rich and strong women’s stories that have deep substance. Stories that get at the universal themes about being human, themes like loss, love, and betrayal.” The themes chosen by the Board of Directors seem to resonate with the public. The crowds that are attracted to Mask & Rose productions are diverse.

Audiences grow in numbers with each performance. By supplying free tickets to the battered women’s shelter in Bemidji as well as local schools, Mask & Rose attempts to reach out to and welcome everyone.

As to the future, the women seem to have an endless well of inspiration and devotion. On the technical side, they hope to build a website, buy light and sound systems, and bring modern dance productions to the community. They also wish to extend their influence on area youth even more, through summer camps concentrating on performance. “We’re ambitious, ” Belleveau confesses. The Mask & Rose Theater, on the corner of 5th Street and Paul Bunyan Drive is one of the great delights in northern Minnesota.


Mask & Rose seems to always have something cooking. . .

The first Friday of each month, Open Mic Night at the Masonic Lodge. Musicians, poets, actors and visual artists, display their creative efforts. Open Mic Night is a family friendly atmosphere with cookies supplied by Harmony Co-op of Bemidji.

The first Saturday of each month, Pelican Railroad, a local band, plays a show. The band performs covers, but also shares original music, usually concluding with a jam session where the audience is encouraged to participate.

The second Friday of each month, “Wander Women”. Wander Women provides a forum for women to share their travel experiences. Slide shows and foods from the visited country are often provided.

February 20-22, Eelpout Festival in Walker, “Hansen’s Grill: Minnesota Nice on Ice” written by the Cass Lake playwright Terry Harrington. The performance will take place in tents and original music will accompany the play.

March 6-7, Elinor Jone’s “A Voice Of My Own”. The play concentrates on female authors from Sappho to Dorothy Parker and presents their struggles with gender equality. The show is an encore presentation. Mask & Rose performed the same play last year and was compelled to bring it to the stage again.

July 18-19, “As You Like It” featuring a score written by the Canadian Band, Bare Naked Ladies will be performed behind Paul and Babe during Bemidji’s Art in the Park.