New sign brightens the Melodrama
WALLACE — The Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater, known for its live shows and quality entertainment, is shining a little brighter, thanks to its new “Live Theatre” neon sign.
The theater was founded in 1983 by Don and Joan Springer, as well as Pat and Sherril Grounds and was originally on the lot where the Northern Pacific Depot Museum currently stands but was moved to the old Kelly Hardware building in 1984. Many changes have occurred since moving to the original building, like remodeling the downstairs, changing the storefront, installing a furnace, and painting both interior and exterior walls. Other upgrades over the years have included new theater seats and remodeling the theater’s dressing rooms for the actors upstairs.
Most recently, the new neon sign was created and installed. As with most upgrades to the theater, this was a collaborative effort between past and present members of the theater board and members of the Wallace community who provided their support.
The News-Press spoke to Brady Bourgard, the theater board president when the first plans for the neon sign began.
“Around 2019, when we first got the money from the Morbeck Foundation, we talked to Ryder Gauteraux who has the connections to make these signs. He began talking with the company, and setting it in motion,” Bourgard said.
The process of making a neon sign is not one that one person can usually do. It takes someone to design it; another who fabricates the metal, electrical work, and painting of the sign is usually completed by multiple people, which can take years. The Metals Bar in Wallace recently went through a similar process.
Neon can be an efficient form of lighting because the average cost of operating a neon sign for 24 hours is around 20 cents a day, less than running a 75-watt light. And because the sign doesn’t get heated, leaving it on isn’t a fire hazard.
The Frank A. Morbeck Community Foundation provided initial funding for the new sign.
“We spent the first grant money on making the sign,” Bourgard said. “We had a little trouble getting more money from the foundation because we had no evidence that the sign was being made. I think there might have been some confusion about the process, and how long it would take. A member of the board has talked with the foundation and cleared some things up and I believe we are on the same page now. The theater is incredibly grateful for their initial funding and support.”
The theater obtained the money from fundraising with the Silver Corner Bar and raised around $1,000 to put into the sign and some other grant money.
“Ryder (Gauteraux) also ended up painting the sign, he had a bunch of paint from previous projects, so he completed that for us, and he hung it up for the theater,” Bourgard said.
If you want to see the sign in person before a show, The Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater is on its last weekend for summer shows, with “Who will win the doctors heart? Or be careful who you cheer for!” Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with the last matinee performance Sunday, July 31, at 2 p.m.
The Frank A. Morbeck Community Foundation was established in 1999 as requested by the former Wallace Mayor Frank A. Morbeck, to promote and support the Wallace community by awarding grants to community and youth projects.
The theater will unfortunately not have an August show for its 2022-2023 season due to difficulty finding actors who have the time commitment for rehearsals and performances. Theater lovers shouldn’t fret as “Men on Ice” directed by Cheri Bartle will run in November. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://onthestage.tickets/sixth-street-melodrama.
