Virginia City Players

05/15/2026

Austin John Mowat
Actor/Carpentry Assistant

Despite a late start into the world of theatre, Austin has yet to cease. Beginning nearly through high school he quickly caught on and took to the stage of the Hamilton Players (2017) before deciding “Yeah, I can work with this” and attending the University of Montana School of Theatre and Dance (2017-2022), now holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the program. Long since graduated, he has been performing all over the country, from frigid Alaska to the cornfields in Kansas, immersing audiences in the worlds of the works he portrays. Austin has spent the last few years on the road with Midnight Creative, and their hybrid cocktail show The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy (2024-2026), where it has taught him the importance of keeping old stories alive, and of getting a good night sleep. Austin is a Montana based theatre & film actor whose heart comes first when it comes to performance, his castmates coming also first, and everything else second. Austin is incredibly grateful to be involved in the Virginia City Players and is looking forward to the upcoming season!

05/14/2026

Avery Murphy
Actor/Costume and Prop Assistant

Avery Murphy is excited to make both her Summer Stock and Virginia City Players debuts! She grew up in Allen, Texas, having started theatre in Middle School. She just graduated in early May of this year (2026), earning a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Oklahoma. Some of her favorite roles include Gertrude in Seussical, Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds in Alice by Heart, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, cementing her love for both comedic and dramatic roles. Along with singing, acting, and dancing, she picked up technical skills like scenic building, backstage crewing, running lights, stage management, and even directing. Avery is ready to take on the vast world of the theatre industry, and so gracious that Virginia City Players is her first steppingstone. She thanks her wonderful family: Her mom, dad, and little sister Audrey, and the passionate faculty at UCO for helping her get to where she is today.

05/13/2026

Mikey Mills
Guest Performer

Mikey Mills is beyond excited to return to Virginia City as a “player” for the third year in a row. Having a deep interest and passion for automatic musical instruments as well as Tin Pan Alley music, Virginia City is a natural fit for him! For the past few years, Mikey has been slowly getting the historic Cremona Photoplayer operational – this being one of only two complete examples on the planet and the only one still working! You can also find him at the Nevada City Music Hall where you can hear many more automatic instruments he has been restoring. Mikey has an extensive background in theater, most recently directing “1776” at the Washington Opera House in Maysville, KY. He is also premiering an original musical in October: “Horseman” for which he composed the music and lyrics with his friend and past Virginia City Player: Michael English writing the libretto. He hopes to continue coming to Virginia and Nevada City for many years helping to keep the musical character and history that Charley Bovey found so important – alive.

05/13/2026

We have a PHENOMENAL cast and crew lined up for this season! Stephen Alan Seder returns to the players as the Artistic Director. Adryan Miller-Gorder will be our Company Manager! Heather Brunner returns as the Musical Director and Cremona Player! ‘Chelle Peterson will be our Costume Designer. Adeline Michels will be our Stage Manager. Our actors and performers include: Ezra Preston, Kendell Puccinelli, Austin John Mowat, Avery Murphy, and Mikey Mills! We will also have Beatrice Penn (not pictured) as our Scenic Charge Artist, and John Fitzpatrick (not pictured) as our Box Office Assistant! We are so excited for this summer, and to keep the traditions alive in Virginia City! We will post each Player’s headshot and biography over the next week! Stay tuned.

05/13/2026

Vaudeville and Melodrama entertainment lives to see another day in Virginia City, Montana! Hurrah! We ARE open this summer! Now produced by Montana Western and under the careful Artistic Direction of Stephen Alan Seder, the Virginia City Players will continue the tradition of family-friendly live theatre starting June 17th and running until Labor Day! This will be our 78th Season as the longest continually running summer stock theatre company this side of the Mississippi! Like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up-to-date with all things VCPlayers! 🎭

05/11/2026

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05/05/2026

Thanks for the shout out The Road Agents' Roost! And thank you for letting us buy your warmer so we can keep our popcorn hot and fresh this summer! We are so excited for this season!

How exciting! Welcoming our friends, The Virginia City Players down at The Opera House for the 2026 season! Looking forward to a fabulous summer with y’all, these shows look like tons of fun!

Join us for some home-cooking on this beautiful Monday here in Virginia City, we are serving until 8pm! Then catch us here again Thursday through Monday, 11am to 8pm. See you soon!

04/05/2026

We have a pretty fantastic summer season planned. Follow us for updates!