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Photo credit: Jennifer Mariano

Grand Rapids Players is a 501c3, non-profit, working board founded in 1965.

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Join us, the second Wednesday of the month for our 5:30 board meetings at the Reif Center.  Our meetings are open to the public and welcome your input. View the 2020 schedule here.

Executive Director

Steve Jaeger

Grand Rapids Players is proud to announce the hiring of Steve Jaeger to the newly-created position as its Executive Director, effective January 1, 2020. 

Steve Jaeger graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications.  Area residents might recognize him as a popular radio and commercial personality throughout the 80’s and 90’s.  Jaeger has held the position as President of the Grand Rapids Players, either acted or directed 18 Players’ productions (including “Death Trap” in the fall of 2019), and performed, along with wife Candy in many shows.

After radio, he became a Performance Manager at Northwest Airlines for 10 years before moving to Las Vegas, with his wife Candy.  There, Jaeger served as an Account Executive for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, a Promotions and Special Events coordinator for Caesar’s Palace, and Activities Coordinator for Wyndham Grand Desert Resort.  In Las Vegas, he was a member of two theater groups (New City Theater Company and Nickel City Players), and performed in numerous TV commercials, industrial videos and a number of small independent films.

Jaeger reflected back on his proudest moment with the Grand Rapids Players, “I wrote the grant to the Blandin Foundation requesting enough money to purchase the land and the existing building that became the Players’ first home. The Playhouse”, located on Soldiers’ Lane, just north of the Fairgrounds”, was home to costumes, props, office space, rehearsals and set construction.”

The Grand Rapids Players, which is 54 years old, has been planning for this development for some time.  This announcement culminates a 3-year planning process beginning with Mary Jo Wimmer, leading to an in-depth board retreat led by Linda Holliday of Impact Minnesota LLC (with funding provided by the Blandin Foundation) followed by a dedicated Task Force Committee that included Board Members and key community leaders. According to Executive Director Task Force Committee Chair Sharon Marty, “Many hours were dedicated to making sure that our board was organized enough to make this dream come true and take us into the future.”

Director Jaeger values his relationship with the Players’ partnership, the Reif Arts council and their Executive Director Shantel Dow. “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that are opening up over the next few years for the Grand Rapids Players. Our partnership with the Reif Arts Council, under the leadership of their Executive Director, Shantel Dow, is not only an enormous advantage for our theater company but a huge boon for theater patrons all over central Minnesota.  I can remember when the Grand Rapids Players was the only game in town. And, while the Players predate the Reif Center by decades, I am looking forward to helping cement that relationship and with the help of our hundreds of volunteers and supporters, continue into a future filled with exciting projects for local theater fans of all ages.”

Working through Personnel Dynamics, Kari Hoerler facilitated the interview process and made the recommendation to the board.  According to Kari, “Steve has a long-standing history with the Players.  He presents impressive management experience along with background in budgeting and personnel training to compliment his love of the Arts. His energy, his plans for “first steps”, and his passion to help lead this organization is infectious!” 

The Grand Rapids Players, as a partner with the Reif Arts Council, has their office located in the Reif Center. He can be reached in the office between the hours of noon and 4, in person, and at 218-327-5755.