Artist Mentorship Program in Montana's Flathead Valley

Merie Productions offers a serious artist mentorship program in Montana for performers who are ready to grow beyond the rehearsal room. Founded by Broadway veteran Meredith Patterson and Trans-Siberian Orchestra vocalist Dustin Brayley, our performance mentorship in the Flathead Valley connects emerging artists with decades of professional stage experience. Whether you are building your first professional credit or refining a career that already has momentum, this is where mastery meets opportunity.

Broadway-Level Guidance, Right Here in Montana
Theater Artist Coaching Grounded in Real Professional Experience
There is a significant difference between being told how to perform and being guided by someone who has actually done it at the highest level. Meredith Patterson starred as Peggy Sawyer in the Tony-winning revival of 42nd Street on Broadway. That kind of background does not just inform our theater artist coaching, it defines it. Our mentorship is built on the principle that mastery takes decades of dedicated work, and that every artist in the Flathead Valley deserves access to instruction that reflects that standard. We do not water things down because we are in Montana. We bring Broadway coaching to Montana in its full, uncompromising form.
What to Expect
Workshops, Masterclasses, and Real-World Creative Consulting
Our artist support program includes workshops and masterclasses designed to sharpen the practical skills that working performers need. From stage presence and vocal technique to understanding how professional productions are built and managed, our creative consulting services give participants a clear picture of what a sustainable career in the arts actually looks like. We also use mentorship as a direct pipeline to paid performance opportunities. Local artists who train with Merie Productions gain access to professional gigs that pay $1,500 per night, a living-wage benchmark that proves the arts can thrive as a top-shelf professional enterprise right here in Western Montana.
A Sustainable Ecosystem for Performers
Performance Mentorship in the Flathead Valley That Pays Off
One of the most persistent challenges for artists in smaller markets is the gap between training and earning. Merie Productions was built, in part, to close that gap. Our performance mentorship in the Flathead Valley is not just about artistic growth; it is about connecting that growth to real professional outcomes. Emerging performers who come through our programs are considered first for roles in our live productions, including the monthly Dueling Pianos series, tribute concerts, and private events for the region's most discerning clients. The goal is a regional arts ecosystem where skilled, serious performers can build a life doing what they love without relocating to a major city.
Who This Is For
For the Scrappy Artist Ready to Work at a Higher Level
Our mentorship program is built for performers who are serious about their craft and ready to be held to a professional standard. If you are an emerging vocalist, actor, or multi-disciplinary performer in the Whitefish area or broader Flathead Valley, and you want honest, experienced guidance from artists who have worked at the national level, this program was designed with you in mind. We welcome artists at various stages of their journey, from those just stepping into professional work to those looking to sharpen skills that have already taken them far. What we ask for in return is commitment, curiosity, and a genuine love of the craft.
Common Questions
What Performers Ask Us Most

  • Who leads the mentorship sessions at Merie Productions?

    The program is led by co-founders Meredith Patterson and Dustin Brayley. Meredith is a Broadway veteran who starred as Peggy Sawyer in the Tony-winning revival of 42nd Street, and Dustin is a vocalist known for his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Both bring decades of professional performance experience to every session, so participants are learning directly from artists who have worked at the highest levels of the industry, not from instructors who have only taught.

  • What kinds of skills are covered in the workshops and masterclasses?

    Sessions focus on the practical skills that working performers need, including vocal technique, stage presence, and an understanding of how professional productions are structured and managed. The curriculum also touches on the business side of a performance career, covering topics such as how to position yourself professionally and how to sustain a career in a regional market. Specific workshop materials are developed based on the needs of participants and the productions currently in development.

  • Can mentorship lead to paid performance work with Merie Productions?

    Yes, and that connection is intentional. Merie Productions uses its mentorship program as a direct pipeline to professional gigs. Artists who come through the program are considered for roles in live productions including the monthly Dueling Pianos series, tribute concerts, and private events. Professional artist fees are set at $1,500 per night, a standard that reflects the company's commitment to building a sustainable, living-wage arts ecosystem in the Flathead Valley.

  • Do I need professional experience before I can participate?

    Not necessarily. The program is designed to work with performers at various stages of their careers, from those stepping into their first professional opportunities to those who have already accumulated credits and want to refine their craft. What matters most is a genuine commitment to the work and a readiness to be held to a professional standard. If you are serious about growing as a performer in Western Montana, this program has something meaningful to offer you.

  • Is this program only available to performers based in Whitefish?

    The program is rooted in Whitefish and the broader Flathead Valley, and most of the live performance opportunities connected to the mentorship take place at local venues including the O'Shaughnessy Center, Mountain Prime Steakhouse, and 101 Central. That said, the program is open to performers from across the region. If you are based in Western Montana and can commit to participating in person, we encourage you to reach out and start a conversation about whether the program is a good fit.

  • How does this differ from a standard community theater program?

    The standard of instruction and the professional outcomes are what set this apart. Merie Productions is a professional production company that holds its performances and its artists to Broadway-caliber standards, and the mentorship program reflects that same philosophy. Participants are not working toward a volunteer production; they are building skills and relationships that connect directly to professional, compensated performance work in the Flathead Valley and potentially beyond.

REVIEWS

What Artists and Audiences Are Saying