I first met Jay Smith while I was touring with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. He brought along some students of his to watch Othello in Gardiner, Montana, and he generously bought the entire cast a steak dinner after the performance. Fast forward six years later, when I became Artistic Director of Bozeman Actors Theatre, Jay personally greeted and thanked the cast before a performance of Arcadia (which was being produced at YTI), and he recognized me from that dinner all those years ago. This was when I knew that Yellowstone Theological Institute was serious when they talked about how they are stewards of the arts.
Both Jay and Melissa are extremely easy to work with whenever Bozeman Actors Theatre has needed a rehearsal space or performance venue, and they have been more than generous with their support of our organization as season sponsors, even well before I became Artistic Director. Our former Board Chair had collaborated with Melissa and Jay to bring Life of Galileo and later An Enemy of the People to over 1,000 people at the Museum of the Rockies. And co-inspired to reach the youth of our community, Jay agreed to underwrite a theatre camp and school outreach program BAT had been developing. While that program did not survive the pandemic, the partnership reinforced a long lasting and strong relationship with Yellowstone Theological Institute that we are proud to continue to this day.
Although our organization is not faith based, I believe that worship and faith education are similar in mission to the performing arts. We both rely on community, the written word, and compelling speakers to enhance the common denominators of humanity. Because of the Institute’s “faith, adventure, and the arts” model, Bozeman Actors Theatre has always been emboldened to venture into compelling and complex storytelling knowing that Jay and Melissa are proud to support us. The feeling is mutual from our organization to theirs!
We at Bozeman Actors Theatre make it our number one priority to produce professional theatre to the Bozeman community, and we hope to continue our partnership with Yellowstone Theological Institute, which has now blossomed into deeper relationships than just simply being partners. Jay and Melissa have opened the doors to not only their space, but to their home; and they are always in the community advocating for the arts—not just as supporters—but as patrons. It is their strength in the arts and faith that motivates us to continue creating art for our community.