About FMCT

Since our beginning, FMCT has provided memorable theatrical and educational experiences for our community’s artists and patrons of the arts.

OUR STORY

Since 1946, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) has provided a wide range of performance and education opportunities to the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area and surrounding communities. FMCT is the longest running community arts organization in the Red River Valley Region of Minnesota and North Dakota.  Season after season, our organization continues to evolve and grow in our community-minded mission as we position ourselves to create exceptional experiences for many more years to come.

Originally opening as the Emma K. Herbst Playhouse in 1967, today’s FMCT was a community-wide building project supported by financial and in-kind contributions from many individuals and entities including the Herbst family, local Union workers, and the Fargo Park District. The playhouse was built in a style similar to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis with a thrust theatre design providing an intimate viewing experience with seating surrounding three sides of the stage. The opening of the facility fulfilled a common goal to create a permanent home for FMCT to grow and prosper after two decades of holding productions in various venues throughout Fargo and Moorhead.

Expansion projects have significantly enlarged the footprint of FMCT over the years including the addition of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum pavilion in 2011.  Gifted by the Burgum family, this additional space provides a beautiful look into Island Park and serves as a versatile space for small performances and special events, rehearsals, rentals, or simply as a lovely spot to gather with friends and family before attending an FMCT show.

FMCT is officially organized under the name Northern Prairie Performing Arts.

OUR MISSION

“Enriching our greater community through engaging theatrical and educational opportunities of high artistic quality. “

NEWS

FMCT In The News

FMCT opens virtual curtains on streaming Ten-Minute Play Festival

The Fargo troupe’s night of short productions is still on after more than 100 scripts were submitted for online short play event that will continue each Friday.

Forum Editorial: The Stage at Island Park will be bigger and better than ever

In short, The Stage is getting a major makeover and additional space that will enable expanded programming. As a result, the arts and therefore the quality of life in Fargo-Moorhead will be stronger.

F-M Community Theatre receives OK to expand in Island Park

The Fargo Park Board and the City Commission on Tuesday night, Sept. 8, both approved the use of more land in Island Park for an expansion project of the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre.

FM Area Foundation surprises arts groups with $60,000 in grants

The nonprofit organization, which gives back to the needs of the community, awarded $5,000 each to a variety of groups that make a cultural impact in the region.

FMCT will host a murder mystery dinner theater fundraiser this fall

The event will follow ND Smart Restart guidelines with social distancing precautions, mask requirements and hand sanitizer available.

Hairspray cast bonds after conversations about race

The musical, which opens Saturday night at The Lights at Sheyenne 32 in West Fargo, is as much about message as it is song and dance.

Arts nonprofits retain employees, find innovative ways to continue programming during pandemic

Organizations in Fargo-Moorhead are keeping busy through shift to virtual offerings, securing funding.

On with the show for two theater groups working on summer shows after many have canceled

With the coronavirus outbreak still a health concern, the stage has gone dark for most summer productions.

Other Media

Prairie Public – Main Street interview with Adam Pankow (10-6-20)

Today we learn about the 10 Minute Plays being staged by the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. The plays come from writers around the country. It’s an ambitious project that means releasing a new play every Friday. Joining us is the FMCT’s artistic director Adam Pankow.

Harris Happening – Update from the Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre (10-6-20)

FMCT’s Artistic Director Adam Pankow join us Saturday to give us an update on the  latest FMCT projects including: the new series of 10 minute virtual plays, the upcoming cocktail fundraiser “Party in a Box” featuring “Clue”, and the latest news on the repair and possible expansion of the theater.

Employment Opportunities

Check here for current job openings at our theatre.

Rental Information

A perfect place for performances, meetings, or special events, FMCT is available for rent to outside individuals and groups.

Past Performances

View a complete list of FMCT’s production history.

Staff & Board

FMCT is operated by a full-time staff and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Box Office Hours?

Online: 24/7 – visit www.fmct.org

Phone: M-F, 9am-5pm – call 701-235-6778

In Person: M-F, 9am-5pm & 60 minutes before each performance

When are performances?

Our typical production schedule has performance start times on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees are held at 2:00 pm. When ordering tickets, please be sure to check the performance date and times. FMCT is not responsible for missed performances and no refunds or exchanges will be made after the performance.

What is your privacy policy?

We take measures to make sure your information is safe and secure. FMCT does not share your personal information with anyone. We also do not keep any payment information on file.

Can I exchange my ticket?

Complimentary exchanges are available exclusively to FMCT members. A $5.00 per order ticket exchange fee will be charged for non-members.

Can I refund my ticket?

Ticketing refunds are available exclusively to FMCT members. Refund requests must be made more than 24 hours in advance of the performance in question. For more info about membership, visit www.fmct.org.

When can FMCT Members buy tickets?

FMCT members have presale access to tickets for all mainstage FMCT productions two weeks prior to the general on-sale period.

Does FMCT offer a group rate?

Group rate tickets are available to groups of 10+. Group rate tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting the box office during business hours.

Can I still see the show if I arrive late?

Patrons arriving after a performance begins will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager. Location and timing of late seating is not guaranteed and is subject to change.

Does my child need their own ticket?

Any child who will be occupying their own seat must have a ticket. Children who will be sitting on a lap do not need their own ticket.

Does this show contain sensitive material?

Is it appropriate for younger audiences? How long is the performance?

This information is different for each performance.  If these conditions exist, they will be found in the on-line show information.

Where should I park?

Patrons may park in the Dike East parking lot on the East side of 4th Street. Overflow parking may occur at Prairie St. John’s (510 4th St. S). Please note that FMCT does not own or manage either of these parking lots.

Where is FMCT located?

The theatre is located at 333 4th St. S in Fargo. It is directly South of the downtown YMCA location and across the street from the Dike East skate park.

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive early for performances. Doors to the lobby open at least one hour before curtain time, and guests are admitted to the auditorium 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. If guests are buying tickets at the door or picking up tickets at the Box Office, they should allow at least 10 minutes to do so.

As a courtesy to all guests, late arrivals and guests re-entering the theater may be asked to wait to be seated until a suitable break in the performance, at the discretion of the House Manager and/or Lead Usher.

How will I get my tickets if I purchased them over the phone or online?

All orders have the option to be held Will Call, emailed (print-at-home) or mobile ticket option. 

Tickets bought online or through the Box Office may be printed from the computer once the transaction has been finalized. If you choose to print your tickets from home, you will receive an email confirming your ticket transaction with a printable ticket attachment. If multiple seats were purchased in a single transaction, each ticket will have its own page. For any printer-related issues, please contact the Box Office and we will reprint the tickets to be held at Will Call.

Do you cancel performances due to inclement weather?

At FMCT, we believe that “the show must go on!” Occasionally, however, a performance must be canceled, usually due to inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather that requires us to cancel a performance, the Box Office will have an outgoing message describing FMCT’s plans of a cancelled performance. 

The decision regarding whether or not to cancel will be made—and the message recorded—no later than 5 pm. If this occurs tickets will be exchangeable or refundable, with refunds given in the form of credit on the ticket purchaser’s account. FMCT will also make every effort to inform guests of this decision as soon as possible by phone and social media.

Do you offer anything to eat or drink?

Experience FMCT’s concessions and full bar starting 60 minutes before most performances. All concession items and beverages can be brought into the theatre to enjoy during the performance. Concessions and the Lobby Bar are cash only – ATM available on site. No outside food or beverages will be allowed.

What should I wear?

Most guests arrive at FMCT in what might best be described as “office casual”—clothes in which they feel comfortable. Suit jackets and ties are not required for men. Jeans are perfectly acceptable. Individuals having an elegant “night on the town” will come dressed as such. During the holiday season, some families—especially the children—will come dressed in holiday finery.

The temperature in the theater varies from production to production based on audience and cast size. We suggest bringing a sweater or light jacket to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

I am purchasing tickets and require accessible seating. Where can I find seats that will accommodate my needs?

Accessible parking is available directly in front of the building on performance days. The building is equipped with a ramp leading to the front door, and the auditorium has a generous amount of accessible seating. Row F is reserved for parties including persons using wheelchairs, walkers, or persons with limited mobility. These wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats are available for purchase by people with disabilities and their companions for every performance, subject to availability. To request accessible seating, please contact the box office at 701-235-6778.

Do you offer listening devices?

Assistive listening devices are available to check out from the box office for all performances. Devices amplify the sound from the stage and feed into an earpiece that can be worn by anyone who may have difficulty hearing.

Do you offer any services for blind or low-vision patrons?

FMCT typically offers one Audio Description performance during the run of each main stage production. At these performances a professional interpreter describes what is happening on stage for any patron that is blind or low-vision. The interpreter’s voice is fed discreetly into an earpiece worn by the patron for the duration of the performance. To request additional info or to book tickets for an upcoming AD performance, please contact the box office at 701-235-6778.

Do you offer programming to the Autism community?

FMCT offers Sensory Friendly performances during various designated productions each season. These performances are specifically adapted for audience members with sensory needs who may find the typical theatre-going experience to be overwhelming. For information about upcoming Sensory Friendly performances, please contact the box office at 701-235-6778.

May I record the performance? Take pictures?

As a courtesy to others, please turn off or silence cell phones and other “noisy and bright” electronic devices. Text messaging during the performance is not allowed. Due to performance royalties, contractual obligations and as a courtesy to the artists, the use of cameras and recording devices is strictly prohibited. Violators may be asked to leave without refund.