Turtle Mountain Community High School Hosts First Dinner Theater

Belcourt, North Dakota – Turtle Mountain Community High School performed a stage adaptation of a dystopian sci-fi novel by a Métis author at the Derrick Dickson Event Center on May 8 at 5:00 p.m. Paired with a five-course meal, this special event was brought to the Belcourt, North Dakota, community for the public to enjoy.

“That night, we didn’t just put on a play — we created space for community,” said Sheena Laducer, Director and English Department Head. “There was good food, laughter, visiting with one another, and powerful stories shared by our students.”

TMCHS freshmen and sophomore English classes read the novel that follows a Métis boy left displaced and alone in an apocalyptic world. It explores themes such as trauma, genocide, resilience, resistance, cultural identity and community.

Students and faculty then collaborated to produce the novel's first live-action performance, celebrating student achievement and creating a memorable experience for everyone.

“Our vision was bold: a school-wide, cross-disciplinary experience that would bring the entire community together — students, staff, and families — around story, culture, and collaboration,” Laducer said.

The idea developed into a dinner theater, with a meal served alongside the performance. This excited the faculty and students. Students auditioned for character roles or assisted behind the scenes, and faculty worked out the details and planning.

Various departments at TMCHS then started volunteering for roles in performances, exhibitions for the public and food preparation. Students volunteered as parking attendants, servers, table bussers, kitchen assistants, cleanup crew, ushers, costume and makeup assistants, spotlight operators, set designers, and prop managers.

The evening opened with a statement from TMCHS administrator Kellie Hall, followed by a prayer and song by White Horse Hill, the student-led drum group. The first scene began as drinks were brought to the audience’s tables. The crowd was already impressed by the performance and the exceptional service provided by the students.

Five scenes and five courses followed, and the excitement in the room grew. Wojapi and gullet were served during the second scene, drawing even more positive comments and laughter from the audience. Other courses included a fresh salad, a savory wild rice casserole, classic bullets, tripe soup, and bangs. Finally, a slice of pie ended the evening on a sweet note. Guests continued to rave about the acting, atmosphere and food.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without a team of dedicated people who believed in this vision from the start,” said Director Sheena Laducer. “From teachers and staff to students, families, and community members, each of you contributed to bringing this vision to life. To our amazing students — your hard work, heart and talent brought the story to life in ways I’ll never forget. Thank you to everyone who showed up, cheered us on, and reminded us why storytelling and gathering matter so much.”

After the performance, actor Jayzen said he would “be back for sure” and return to the program, grateful for the experience. TMCHS Activities Director Shane Martin, Ph.D., also shared his support.

“I believe drama, play, speech, and all art forms are part of our culture,” he said. “The need to restore and bring back our cultural arts, through sketches and themes that tell the story of our heritage, is rich. We will support this extracurricular activity because it provides another resource for our students and staff and another opportunity for our kids to shine.”

With the community’s strong feedback, Turtle Mountain Community High School's dinner theater will bring more storytelling, gathering, and celebration to Belcourt’s future.

Written by the TMCHS Gifted and Talented Students