The True(ish) Adventure of JW Powell’s First Expedition through the Grand Canyon Opens May 17
May 2024
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Theatrikos Presents Men on Boats, a Satirical Look at John Wesley Powell’s First Colorado Expedition in 1869
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Theatrikos Theatre Company brings Arizona-born playwright Jaclyn Backhaus’ Men on Boats to the Flagstaff stage. The show about John Wesley Powell’s first trip through the Grand Canyon has been produced nationwide. Now, for the first time, it comes home to Northern Arizona (where it belongs!) with a production by Theatrikos in Flagstaff.
Men on Boats. No men. No boats. One canyon. Highlighting underrepresented voices and inspired by Powell’s actual travel logs, this whitewater comedy is history as you’ve never seen it before—infusing America’s historic myths with a sly blast of satire.
“I think the audience will enjoy seeing a show that takes place in their own ‘backyard,’” said director Sara Bendel Ryan. “While not exactly historically accurate, Men on Boats is a retelling of Powell’s journey that is interesting, engaging and comical.”
“I’m so pleased to hear you’re doing Men on Boats—in the perfect location no less! As an Arizona-born artist I’m always very moved when theaters in AZ are doing my work,” said playwright Jaclyn Backhaus.
Despite the name, the cast of Men on Boats is all women or non-binary actors. “Our cast is having a blast working together, not being explorers who are men or women—just being explorers. I think the audience will see actors who experience a grand adventure,” said Ryan. “It is a story of exploration, not of any particular sex, just people braving the wild Colorado.”
Men on Boats runs May 17—June 2 at Theatrikos in Flagstaff and June 9 at Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood.
(Photos: Motion Olson)
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“God’s of Comedy had us in stitches. It couldn’t have been cast any better! We plan to attend every play you put into production. Thank you.”
—Jay Rowles, Sedona, Gods of Comedy Patron
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ARTx Calendar and Annie Auditions
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ARTx Calendar of Events at Theatrikos, May 17—29
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ARTx, the city’s new arts festival, has over 100 participating Flagstaff arts organizations and venues. All over Flagstaff. Theatrikos alone has 11 shows with 21 performances!
Except Men on Boats and SIFF films, all events at Theatrikos are free. Here’s the events at Theatrikos. The ARTx website has all 100 events. Friday, May 17
2 pm—Beyond Climate
7:30 pm—Opening—Men on Boats
Saturday, May 18
1 pm Foundry Aerial Pole Performance
2 pm—TheatriKids Stage Buddies Rumpelstiltskin
7:30 pm—Men on Boats
Sunday, May 19
10 am—TheatriKids Stage Buddies Rumpelstiltskin
2 pm—Men on Boats
4:30 pm—Men on Boats Talkback
6:30 pm—Auditions—Annie
Monday, May 20
6:30 pm—Auditions—Annie
7 pm—SIFF Films Remembering Gene Wilder
Tuesday, May 21
7:30 pm—UFOs Improv
Wednesday, May 22
7 pm—SIFF Films Robert Shields: My Life as a Robot. Followed by Q&A in person with Mr Shields.
Thursday, May 23
7:30 pm—Family Night (½ price tickets)—Men on Boats
Friday, May 24
4 pm—Beyond Climate
7:30 pm—Men on Boats
Saturday, May 25
Noon—24 Hour Theatre Project (Begin process for writers and actors)
7:30 pm—Men on Boats
Sunday, May 26
2 pm—Men on Boats
Noon—24 Hour Theatre Project (One performance)
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35—45 Adults and Kids Needed for Auditions for the Big Summer Musical Annie
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Auditions: Looking for 35—45 adults and kids for Annie. Have fun with a huge cast. If you’ve ever thought of auditioning, a big summer musical show with a large cast is the perfect time to get involved in live theatre. Auditons are May 19—20.
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Sedona International Film Festival in ARTx
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SIFF executive director Patrick Schweiss is participating in ARTx because he believes in the “power of the arts to be a unifying force of culture, entertainment and education. We are thrilled to partner with Theatrikos both for ARTx and year-round to bring films to Downtown Flagstaff and to be part of an epic arts celebration!”
- Monday, May 20: Remembering Gene Wilder
- Wednesday, May 22: Robert Shields: My Life as a Robot
These films celebrate the lives of two remarkable, influential performers. Robert Shields, a resident of the Verde Valley, will be in attendance to host a discussion after his film.
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In TheatriKids Stage Buddies, student actors mentor peers with special needs in a musical theatre production. This mentorship gives actors with special needs unique dramatic opportunities and outlets for their creativity, and the mentors gain an understanding of the challenges faced by their special-needs partners. TheatriKids is part of ARTx with two performances of Rumpelstiltskin.
- Saturday, May 18 at 2 pm
- Sunday, May 19 at 10 am
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Mean Girls Enrollment, All Hands Strategic Plan Meeting, 24-Hour Theatre Project
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TheatriKids Mean GirlsAuditions
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Enrollment/auditions for TheatriKids educational performance workshop Mean Girls are for ages 14—18. Unlike a main stage show where not everyone who auditions is cast, everyone who enrolls in TheatriKids performance workshops gets in the show. Mean Girls enrollment/auditions are May 6—7.
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All Hands Meeting for Strategic Plan Update
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Theatrikos board of directors is updating our strategic plan. Following the strategic plan has enabled us to navigate a sewage flood, a pandemic and some serious financial issues. It sets our path forward so we are all staying on track and constructively rowing in the same direction. Theatrikos board president Bruce Fox will lead an All Hands meeting to get your input on updating the plan. Saturday, May 4 at Noon
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24HTP takes place in, you guessed it, 24 hours. Actors will meet to break the ice and brainstorm. Then they’ll present two short plays—just 24 hours later. “It’s an exciting challenge and an exhilarating experience!”said director John Propster. “Everyone is invited and admission is free.”
- Saturday, May 25 at noon—Writers, actors and directors gather
- Sunday, May 26 at noon—Audience comes to see the show
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ARTx—A Festival of the Arts in Flagstaff
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After five years of planning, including a pilot test run last year in 2023, ARTx makes its debut this May 17—26, 2024. “ARTx got its spark at Theatrikos,” explains Chris Verrill, Theatrikos’ executive director. Verrill and Jonathan Stone, Creative Flagstaff’s then-executive director, were new to their positions in early 2019 and met to discuss visions for the city’s arts communities.
“It became evident to me that Flagstaff was missing an arts festival,” recounts Verrill. “And that an arts festival would be a great way to enhance the quality of life in Flagstaff, while at the same time highlighting Flagstaff’s amazing arts organizations.”
Despite some initial skepticism, planning meetings over the next year elicited interest and commitments from many other Flagstaff organizations, including Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, NAU Theatre Department, Discover Flagstaff, the City of Flagstaff and others. Ultimately, Creative Flagstaff incorporated the arts festival into its strategic plan and Verrill became the chair of the ARTx steering committee. In last year’s pilot there were about 20 participating arts organizations. In 2024 there are over 100 arts organizations and venues participating.
At the Creative Flagstaff website, you’ll see a full list of all 100 activities taking place throughout the city. Theatrikos itself is hosting 11 shows totaling 21 performances at the theatre. “Men on Boats is the quintessential Flagstaff show,” said Verrill. “The perfect combination of amazing theatre and Northern Arizona history.” Men on Boats is the satirical true-ish story of John Wesley Powell’s first trip down the Colorado River in 1869.
According to director Sara Bendel Ryan, Men on Boats appeals to the Flagstaff crowd because of our proximity to the Grand Canyon, Powell’s renown in the Southwest, and our big river/outdoor community. “Having it run during ARTx is significant,” she said. Also involved in this show, are “boat builders, river folks, visual artists, musicians, and visual communication specialists from NAU. All of these different, talented people from Flagstaff, along with Theatrikos and my amazing cast, will bring Men on Boats to life, and be an awesome addition to the ARTx festival.”
Theatrikos’ children’s theatre will present performances of Rumpelstiltskin with the Stage Buddies program. “Stage Buddies exhibits the spirit of ARTx,” said Theatrikos education director Joe Maniglia. This is a “production that matches TheatriKids and actors with special needs. They come together to produce a show that allows actors who may not otherwise get a chance to participate in a theatrical production. Many audience members with special needs have stated that they’ve never seen someone like themselves in a show and it was amazingly inspiring.”
Citywide performances, exhibits and discussions are on the ARTx Flagstaff website. ARTx takes place throughout the city May 17—26.
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Theatrikos Theatre Company
928 774 1662
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