Recollections of the Missouri Theater
The Missouri Theater has been part of St. Joseph’s cultural life for generations now. When I first got to town, it was already the premier venue for the performing arts — not a movie theater, but a home for live music. The St. Joseph Symphony had been there for years, along with touring artists and community groups. As a newly relocated college student, I could tell it was an important place.
When I was a student at Missouri Western State College, students could get free tickets to performances. I remember looking through the schedule and requesting certain shows. One I still remember clearly was the Eddie Daniels Jazz Quartet. Eddie Daniels is a well-known jazz clarinetist, and he happens to share the same name as my lifelong best friend, Eddie Daniels. So naturally we went together. Sitting in the Missouri Theater listening to great jazz with my friend — who had the same name as the guy on stage — was a pretty fun coincidence.
As I got further connected, I eventually moved from the audience to the stage. I performed there with the MWSC Chorale, the St. Joseph Community Chorus, percussion ensembles, and combined college and community groups. We performed big works like Messiah and Carmina Burana. For a young musician, getting to perform music like that on that stage was a big experience.
Over the years the Missouri Theater kept showing up in my life. I’ve played there with the St. Joseph Symphony, Robidoux Resident Theatre, university groups, and plenty of special events. Some of my favorite times were in the pit orchestra for musicals. Theater people are fun to work with. Rehearsals can be hectic and there are always last-minute adjustments, but somehow everything comes together when the curtain goes up.
After enough years you end up seeing just about every part of the building. I’ve been on stage, in the pit, backstage, under the stage, in every dressing room, tiny bathroom, hallway, hauling equipment in and out. I feel like I know most of the nooks and crannies pretty well (don’t hit your head on the that low-hanging pipe!). We’ve even used the theater as a backdrop for professional and endorsement photos. Our Caribbean steel, Island percussion, party band, Soca Jukebox filmed a full 30 minute protional video we still use. It’s hard to beat that setting.
Some of the most meaningful musical experiences for me there were performing the guitar parts for “Red White and Bluegrass” with Ann and Terry Brock and Anthony Glise’s “Mass for Children”. I also had the chance to perform much of Anthony’s music with him over the years, including his Double Concerto and his progressive work with The Nova Project. Those projects brought international artists like Ken Sugita and Jan Akkerman to the Missouri Theater stage, which was just super cool.
One person I have to mention when talking about the Missouri Theater is Frank Polleck. For as long as I’ve been around that building, Frank has been there behind the scenes making everything work. I’m not even sure what his official title is — stage manager, technical director, probably a little of everything — but he knows that theater better than anyone.
The first time I met him I was just a college kid who didn’t know much about anything. Frank was kind to me right away and made me feel welcome in a place that could have felt pretty intimidating. And every time I worked there after that, he treated me the same way. Whether I was performing, setting up equipment, or just passing through, he always made you feel like you were an important part of what was happening.
Frank was probably the most knowledgeable person in the building and certainly one of the hardest working. He dedicated his career to that theater and had a hand in nearly every production that happened there during his tenure. Most people see the performers on stage, but behind the scenes Frank was the one making sure the scenery worked, the lights came on, and everything actually happened. Good times or tough times, he was there.
Over the years I’ve also learned a lot from the conductors and musicians I worked with there. Some were strict but incredibly positive and encouraging. Others were a little harder on people. Both types taught me something about what to do (what not to do!) and about how to work with creative people.
Margaret Kew, longtime concertmaster of the St. Joseph Symphony, was another person I learned a lot from. I worked with her at Benedictine College, in the Symphony, and later with both of her sons in different musical situations. I remember her telling me once, “I have endless patience for little musicians.” That line stuck with me. It says a lot about how important it is in sharing the arts from one generation to the next.
I’ve also been on that stage for benefit concerts, community events, and different causes over the years. I’ve been paid well, union scale and worked for free. I’ve seen the theater go through restoration and updates that helped keep it going. A lot of historic theaters around the country didn’t survive. We’re fortunate ours did.
To me, the Missouri Theater is a home for live music, theater, and the arts in St. Joseph. It’s a place where people gather, perform, and experience things together. We play there. We “make play” there. It’s inspiring just to walk into the building.
I’ve made a lot of friends there and have a lot of good memories in this building.
The Missouri Theater has been part of nearly every stage of my “local” musical life, and I’m grateful for it — and for the next generation of musicians, performers, and audiences who will create even more memories here.
About the Author
Jason Riley is a professional guitarist, performer, and educator based in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is the founder and director of the St. Joseph Arts Academy and has spent nearly three decades teaching guitar at Missouri Western State University and Benedictine College. Jason has recorded and performed widely as both a bandleader and sideman in styles ranging from classical and jazz to rock, bluegrass, and roots music. When he’s not teaching or performing, he still enjoys exploring the possibilities of the diminished scale.
Learn more:
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
https://jasonriley.com
https://socajukebox.com
