Conversations with Eirann Betka-Pope

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eirann Betka-Pope. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Betka-Pope Productions (BPP) technically began when Jenna (the Pope in Betka-Pope) and Eirann (the Betka in Betka-Pope) first met and shared our love for people, theatre, and advocacy. Eirann was running a black box theater and venue space called The Fuse Box, and we used it to put on a variety of projects. The Fuse Box also served as the home base for the comedy troupe Funny Girls. 

It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that we began to get serious about building a business together that combined both our shared passions and individual endeavors. The first project under the BPP name was GR Crime Tours, a historic and comedic walking tour around downtown Grand Rapids that highlights local crimes. From there, we gained the confidence to start new projects such as The Grand Race, and eventually tackling full-length productions and other special events. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s Grand Rapids, our roads are always under construction. And so is our business, honestly. It’s all kind of an experiment in filling gaps that might exist in the community. So, in that way, there are no instruction books or podcasts that teach you how to seek out AND create opportunity at the same time. 

Some of the more challenging proponents of producing without actually having a brick-and-mortar space is figuring out where rehearsals, storage, building, and ultimately, performances will happen. Sometimes we have to find and keep track of tech elements (lighting, sound equipment, etc.), rent chairs, and basically, build a theatre space from scratch all around the community. These challenges just kind of turn into triumphs though, especially when we see supporters come together to make it all happen and when we get to pay all the artists and local businesses for their contributions. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
BPP seeks out unique ways to bring entertainment and opportunity to Grand Rapids. Some of the highlights include our partnerships and collaborations with local establishments and artists to bring a variety of mixed-media projects to the public. 

On-going projects: 

The 420 Show (Location and artists change every year) 

The Grand Race (3-hour downtown race where teams compete to solve puzzles and win) 

GR Crime Tours (Downtown historic and comedic walking tour covering the crimes of Grand Rapids) 

GR Pride Tours (Downtown historic walking tour covering the 2SLGBTQ+ history of Grand Rapids) 

GR Haunted Tours (Downtown walking tours covering local ghost stories, legends, and folktales of West Michigan) 

House Rules Game Lounge (Trivia every first and third Monday of the month) 

Fulton St. Farmers Market (Halloween Market, October) 

The Pyramid Scheme (Full-Length Production every Halloween) 

Full-Length Productions: 

Xanadu The Musical 

The Rocky Horror Show 

Little Shop of Stoners (Original Production) 

Ghosts in the Graveyard (Original Production) 

Ginger Ambrosia’s Holiday Spectacular (Original Production) 

Something that sets BPP apart is that we are a queer-owned company intentionality in working to provide more paid opportunities artists from the 2SLGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Opening a small business comes with so many risks sometimes you’re caught wondering if you missed some of the reward. 

I (this is Eirann typing) personally think that the jump is more thrilling than the landing, you know? We work so tightly with artists, smaller businesses, and individuals to fund our projects, The thought of let-down feels even greater when the weight of that personal connection happens. And those let-downs have for sure happened, but we have never had a project that failed because everyone believed we would hit the landing, and so we made it happen together. 

Pricing:

• Shows: $20-30
• Public Tours: $20-25
• Private Tours; $150+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.betkapopeproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betkapopeproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betkapopeproductionsgr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHy9wAwbA2IM_tWiClvrZDw
• Other: www.grcrimetours.com

Image Credits
First Story Studio