The Hello Girls Musical on stage at the the Twin Falls Theatre Collective in ID Oct. 30-Nov. 16

In the small, rural depths of Southern Idaho, there is a budding community theatre called the Twin Falls Theatre Collective. Founded in 2022 and focusing on shows that are not widely known, the founder set out to create something new and intimate. In a small, black box style theatre that seats only 40 people, they prefer the audience to be immersed in the show with actors performing merely feet from attendees. Currently only choosing to perform 1 show per year, 2025 has become the year for The Hello Girls.

Hi, I’m the founder, Chris Ayers. I have been performing for over 35 years and have set my sights on high quality, professional-level performances in the small rural community of Filer, ID. Flanked by the larger Twin Falls area, I’ve has been active in the theatre community here for 7 of the last 10 years that I’ve been here. I’ve been an actor, director and producer. Interestingly, prior to starting up the theatre, I owned a small gun store with 2 partners who are veterans. My father served in the U.S. Army special forces including tours in Vietnam. I’m a proud American and a big-time theatre lover.

It was only about 1.5 years ago when my wife and I, on a whim, popped into a small theater in Utah to see this show called The Hello Girls. I had no idea what the show was about, only that the company producing it did quality productions. I often love walking into shows blindly to experience the story telling and to see if it moves something within me. Within 15 seconds, I was hooked. The costumes, the music and of course, the story. I was floored and told my wife, “We have to do this show”! So, here we are getting ready to open this show with a cast of 10 in our small little theatre on October 30th.

I found the most passionate director amongst friends and her equally passionate veteran husband to be the creative team. They set out 6 months before the show to bring it to life, creating unique set pieces for a tough stage, hand sewing and creating bespoke costumes for each character and pouring their heart and soul into delivering an incredible production—all to honor these amazing women.

The Twin Falls cast readsthrough the script as rehearsals get underway for the upcoming production of The Hello Girls musical October 30-November 16.

Back in July, while doing some research, I came across Caroyln Timbie, the granddaughter of Grace Banker. I immediately tried finding ways to contact her. She kindly replied and after some email exchange agreed to do a zoom call with our cast. She brought along Donna Ayres (no relation) and Catherine Bourgin. Together, they shared stories, artifacts and more in-depth details of their tireless work with The Doughboy Foundation in bringing these women’s stories to the forefront of history. The cast was ecstatic to have these conversations! The 5 women in our cast felt an immediate connection to the women they were playing, taking deeper dives to learn more about their history.

Hello Girls descendants Carolyn Timbie, Catherine Bourgin, and Donna Ayres talk about their family members’ WWI service with cast members of the Twin Falls, ID production of the Hello Girls musical.

We were even pleased to get information on 2 Idaho Hello Girls, Hazel May Hammond, and Anne Campbell Atkinson. Finding these connections really helped us want to deliver this show to as many people as we could find and to do so in a way that honors their legacy. We’re so proud and grateful to be able to help more people come to know this story of America’s 1^st

Cast members rehearse their parts for the upcoming production of The Hello Girls Musical at the Twin Falls Theatre Collective in Idaho October 30-November 16.

We’ve been talking to veterans’ groups, VFW posts, Elks clubs, senior centers and volunteer organizations to invite them to the show. We even slated a free performance for veterans on Veteran’s Day, November 11th. As we’ve put our hearts and sweat into rehearsals, our director Karin has shared so much history about these women and World War I that has brought us such a profound respect for their courage and fortitude. Many thanks to Chris Christopher from The Doughboy Foundation for reaching out to support our production and offering us a chance to talk a little about our experiences thus far.

If you’re in Idaho, and interested in seeing the show, visit TwinFallsTheatre.com for the info. As of writing this, we also have some seats left in our free Veteran’s Day performance. We’d love to honor you if you’re a veteran. If you’re not, come let us take you along in a story that reminds us of humanity, people and the connections we all have in this home we call America.

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