The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center is a 280-seat theater located on the campus of Lone Peak High School in Big Sky. In this episode, Executive Director John Zirkle shares how the center came to life, why it was intentionally built as both a school auditorium and a community venue, and how it has grown into one of the most unexpected cultural anchors in Southwest Montana.

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A Performing Arts Center Built for Community

The idea for the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center began in the early 2000s as part of an effort to expand the Big Sky School District and establish a high school. When the economic downturn delayed construction of a traditional auditorium, a new opportunity emerged, one that reimagined the space as a shared resource for both students and the broader community.

Since opening in 2013, the center has hosted hundreds of performances and welcomed tens of thousands of attendees. Despite its location on a high school campus, the venue feels entirely separate once inside, offering an intimate, professional theater experience that rivals much larger cities.

Extraordinary Shows Every Season

John describes the center’s guiding principle in simple terms, extraordinary shows every season. Rather than programming as many events as possible, the focus is on curating a smaller number of high-quality performances that surprise, inspire, and resonate.

From Grammy-nominated musicians and nationally recognized comedians to contemporary dance companies and international vocal groups, the programming consistently punches above its weight. Artists who perform for tens of thousands one night often find themselves playing to just a few hundred people the next, creating an experience that feels rare and deeply personal.

Access Without Exclusivity

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center is its commitment to accessibility. With average ticket prices around $30, the venue remains affordable thanks to sponsorships, tax support, and its partnership with the school district, which absorbs many of the operational costs.

This model allows fundraising and ticket revenue to go directly toward artists and programming, rather than overhead. John speaks openly about the challenges facing performing arts organizations nationwide, especially since the pandemic, and how this structure has helped sustain both quality and affordability.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Because the theater operates alongside Lone Peak High School, students are deeply integrated into its daily life. From ushering and tech support to performing on stage, students are exposed to professional artists and creative careers in a way that feels natural rather than forced.

John emphasizes that the goal is not to pressure students into the arts, but to normalize creative expression as a viable path. Simply seeing what is possible, and being trusted to participate, can quietly expand a young person’s sense of what their future might hold.

Culture, Connection, and Place

Throughout the conversation, John reflects on the role of the arts in a small, tourism-driven community like Big Sky. With visitors and residents constantly overlapping, the performing arts center becomes a shared space where people connect beyond the outdoors.

Whether it’s cowboy poetry, jazz, comedy, or a Steinway piano towed onto a Nordic ski trail, the experiences are designed to foster presence, curiosity, and human connection. It’s a reminder that culture is not an add-on to life in the mountains, it’s part of what makes a place feel whole.

To learn more about the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center and upcoming performances, visit warrenmillerpac.org.
To learn more about Mountain Mule Media and Mountain Mule Transportation, visit mountain-mule.com.