Fall 2026
A Murder Masquerade
Spring 2027
iAct Competition
Piece TBA
A Murder Masquerade
A murder mystery written by
Natasha Cederberg
About the Show
Six strangers have received invitations to a dinner party. They are to come masked and refer to themselves only by the Comedia del'Arte character name they have been assigned by their host. They do not know their host, but he seems to know a lot about them.When dinner becomes deadly, they must all figure out why they are there, what they have in common, and who their host is.A Murder Masquerade is a who-dunit murder mystery inspired by the movie Clue and Venice's famed Comedia del'Arte. With colorful characters and an intriguing story line, A Murder Masquerade is a production you can enjoy with the whole family or as a special date night activity.
Locations
Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant
September 25th & 26th
Doors open at 6, show starts at 7
Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant is a quick getaway nestled just outside of Boise. Located on the Payette River it is the perfect location for riverside dining. Come enjoy a scenic drive, visit friends, make new ones, or just have a great meal in Horseshoe Bend. Over 16 beers on draft, several wine options, kids menu, brunch and a large menu supporting local ranches you are guaranteed to find something for the whole family.
Location Menu:
Food not included with ticket priceWe encourage you to make reservations with the restaurant for no later than 6pm(208) 793-2651Menu Link
Three Sisters Greenhouse
October 2nd and 3rd
Doors open at 6:30, Show starts at 7
Three Sisters Greenhouse is ready to assist you with all of your landscape and garden needs! They are situated close to town and love to share beauty and abundance. We are excited to be back as a part of their Mumpkin Festival this year!
Location Menu:
TBA
Cast and Crew
Magnifico - Steve Mitchell
I have mostly acted in skits and shorts plays for camps and church events. In 1991 I played a major supporting role in The Salvation Army musical Tea For Two. I am usually typecast as The Villain.
Il Dottore - Caleb Kalousek
Caleb has worked in the realm of art and literature for several decades - from writing and painting, to sculpting and cosplay. He now returns to the stage after several years since his debut
Colombina - Dana Spear
Hello! My name is Dana Spear; I turn 16 in December and I’ve been a part of theatre for a few years now. I first started as Mr. Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Emmett Youth Theatre Company. This is my first time working with the mystery dinner theatre. I'm excited to see where this opportunity takes me in the future of theatre, and the people I will meet.
Harlequin - Jacob Schaefer
Hi, I'm Jacob Schaefer. For the past several years, I've had the privilege of performing with my local theater group, bringing a variety of characters to life on stage. From the timeless charm of A Christmas Carol to the laughs and mystery of Mystery at Whimbowly Manor, the heartwarming story of Christmas Bus, and the energetic musical Bye Bye Birdie, every production has been a chance to grow as a performer and be part of something memorable. Whether it's comedy, drama, or musical theater, I love the collaborative spirit of live performance and the opportunity to help tell stories that connect with an audience.
Moretta - Natasha DePuy
Natasha decided to try her hand at acting during her freshman year of high school in her home school group's production of Little Women. After that, she was hooked and appeared in Jane Eyre during her sophomore year. The Beverly Hillbillies her junior year, and Anne of Avonlea her senior year. She took a fifteen-year hiatus after high school before joining Emmett Community Playhouse for the 2021 production of A Christmas Carol. She has since co-directed her first play, Mystery at Whimbowly Manor, participated in the 2023 I-ACT Festival winner A Typical Boy, and independently wrote, directed, and performed in the first Emmett Dinner Theater performance of A Murder Masquerade. She did not return to the stage again until 2025 as Beth in An Open and Shut Case, EMDT’s first I-ACT Festival entry. She is now excited to bring Moretta to life in this fall’s production of A Murder Masquerade.
Scaramouche - Payton Sam Mitchell
I have been in theater for 17 years, ranging from community to college. I started directing in 2018 when I was 21 and have since directed seven plays, one of which won BEst Director and BEst Ensemble Performance at the 2023 Idaho Association of Community Theatre (I-ACT) Festival. I have also written 10 books, made six short films, and two feature length (Street and Of Strangers and Stardust). Street is available for free on YouTube through my film group 22 Sunset Skies Productions. I also have 3 more books in the works, as well as six film/play scripts that I’m currently writing.
Bauta - Annette Cederberg
I am a mother to two amazing adult children; one of whom is the writer of A Murder Masquerade. My theatrical experience started with supporting both of them in their performances during high school. I made my own first appearance on stage in 2021 as a caroler and dancer in The Emmett Community Playhouse’s production of A Christmas Carol. In the spring of 2022, I played the part of Lady Russell in ECP’s production of Mystery at Whimbowly Manor and the Greek god, Artemis, in Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater’s debut performance of Gad Zeus! spring of 2024. I played the housekeeper in An Open and Shut Case, which was performed for the IACT competition in the spring of 2025 and Dracula in that fall’s production of Who Whacked Drac?.
The Chef - Colton DePuy
Colton's love for sound design stems from his passion for music and movies. He pursued a Certification in Audio Production at Full Sail University. He served as the Audio Visual Coordinator at his church for 6 years and has worked in the Audio/Video Industry as a service tech and lead programmer for over 6 years. His involvement with theater began in 2021 as the Sound Designer for the Emmett Community Playhouse production of A Christmas Carol, followed by Mystery at Whimbowly Manor. Colton has won Outstanding Sound Design at the I-ACT Festival two years “in a row”. He has since been the lighting and special effects coordinator for many EMDT productions and has appeared on stage twice in acting roles. A Murder Masquerade will mark Colton’s third stage performance as he reprises his role of the Chef.
Director - Sarah Ridinger
Sarah has always had a love for acting and the theater arts. She has been an active participant of theatrical experiences for the Emmett Community, having performed in six productions for the Emmett Community Playhouse, a multi-church Christmas production, and the feature film Street. Additionally, in 2024, she was Casting & Show Manager for the 2024 and 2025 World Hopper Ball at Dragonsteel Nexus. Sarah is so excited to make her directing debut with A Murder Masquerade, participating in her sixth production with this group as we provide dinner theater to the Emmett Community.
Special Effects and Lighting - Colton DePuy
Colton's love for sound design stems from his passion for music and movies. He pursued a Certification in Audio Production at Full Sail University. He served as the Audio Visual Coordinator at his church for 6 years and has worked in the Audio/Video Industry as a service tech and lead programmer for over 6 years. His involvement with theater began in 2021 as the Sound Designer for the Emmett Community Playhouse production of A Christmas Carol, followed by Mystery at Whimbowly Manor. Colton has won Outstanding Sound Design at the I-ACT Festival two years “in a row”. He has since been the lighting and special effects coordinator for many EMDT productions and has appeared on stage twice in acting roles. A Murder Masquerade will mark Colton’s third stage performance as he reprises his role of the Chef.
Audio Technician - David Schott
David comes to Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater with several years of live sound and effects experience. He has been involved in church audio, lighting, and video broadcasting in the Treasure Valley. This will be his fifth theater production with EMDT. He previously helped run sound and special effects for "Gad Zeus!", "Little Wax Museum of Horrors", and "Who Whacked Drac?", and was the stage manager for our IACT 2025 production of "An Open and Shut Case".
Past Productions
A Murder Masquerade
Inspired by Venice’s famed Comedia dell’ Arte, "A Murder Masquerade" by Natasha Cederberg is a well-designed, whodunit mystery riddled with witty banter and thrilling drama. The performance includes opportunities for audience participation and a “Question and Answer” session allowing attendees to unravel who had the means, motive, and opportunity to carry out murder.
Gad Zeus!
The gods of Olympus have gathered unknowingly to determine who amongst them has what it takes to be crowned “Champion of Olympus”. They must compete against one another in a series of trials and challenges set forth by Zeus and Hermes to earn the title and a coveted golden apple. But when the apple turns up missing, they must now determine who among them has the gall to steal from the others.
This epic comedy is sure to keep you laughing as Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis clamor for the prize, entertaining Zeus, Hera, and Hermes along the way.
Little Wax Museum of Horrors
Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride are finally getting hitched! But someone has it out for the residents of the Famous Literary Monster's Room! Come along and join them in the infamous Worly Wax Museum...if you dare!
Yule Ball Presented by Gem and Tonic
Step into the enchanting world of Hogwarts as we invite you to an unforgettable evening of elegance, enchantment, and wizarding wonder.
Has someone been cheating at Quidditch? Slytherin thinks so and soon more than accusations are flying!
An Open and Shut Case
Young, handsome Harold is married to elderly, wheelchair-ridden Elizabeth because of that age-old attraction—money. So naturally, Harold plans to murder her and inherit all that glorious money. Inga, Lisa, Beth, and Zachary are all brought in to help around the large house, and then bodies start to stack up. Who-done-it? You will be shocked when you finally find out the answer.
I-Act 2025 Awards:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - McKay Larsen
Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role - Sarah Ridinger
Outstanding Sound Design - Colton DePuy
Who Whacked Drac?
After all the hub-bub at the museum, Creature and Bride bought a house! Now the house warming party is planned and invitations have been sent out to all the guys and ghouls. You will be delighted to see some familiar faces, some new faces, and some...invisible faces???
About Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater
Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater was founded in 2024 to provide a creative space for the Emmett community in the theatrical arts. EMDT combines the business savvy of Sarah, the original writing of Tasha, and the technical skills of Colton.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater?
Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater is Emmett’s premier dinner theater. We started in 2023 with the whisp of an idea and grew it into a full-fledged business in 2024.Who is Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater?
At the heart and soul of Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater are the people. Starting with Sarah Ridinger, who conceptualized the idea of a mystery dinner theater presence in Emmett and strove to make it happen with our first production of A Murder Masquerade. Natasha DePuy is our resident playwright, and has written and directed all but one of our plays to date. Our lighting and sound effects master is Colton DePuy, who has since tried his hand at acting through EMDT. And of course, the fantastic casts and crew that we have had with our productions.Why Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater?
· Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater strives to deliver fantastic food and fantastic entertainment for our guests with every production.
· We partner with local businesses to benefit the community we live in ourselves.What kind of shows does Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater produce?
Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater is committed to delivering quality material to our audiences. We make sure that our content is appropriate for the whole family, but can still be enjoyed by adults for a night out.Are Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater productions interactive?
Yes! And no. Emmett Mystery Dinner Theater productions have elements of audience participation, but do not require you to interact if that is not your cup of tea. We understand that not everyone enjoys an immersive experience, so we have geared our shows to reflect that.
We appreciate all of your support.
If you have any questions, please let us know. Email the Mystery Dinner Theater coordinators at info@emmettdinnertheater.com
Sponsorships
Thank you for your sponsorship consideration!Each business that supports us with any financial contribution will be mentioned in social media posts and at each production night. Individuals will receive shout outs in social media posts as well. Anonymous giving will also be available.We thank you for your support!Contributions are not tax deductible.
Thank you for your support!
We sincerely appreciate your support!
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EMDT Code of Conduct
Purpose
Emmett Dinner Theater is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. This Code of Conduct outlines the principals and expectations we adhere to maintain a positive community
Expected Behavior
All participants, including but not limited to members, attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers, are expected to:
Treat Others with Respect: Be considerate, inclusive, and respectful of others. Harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated.
Maintain a Safe Environment: Ensure the safety of others by being mindful of your actions and reporting any unsafe conditions.
Comply with Laws: Abide by all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Respect Privacy: Respect the privacy and confidentiality of others.
Be Inclusive: Embrace diversity and be welcoming to all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or background.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
Harassment: Harassment includes offensive verbal comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, photography or recording without consent, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and unwelcome attention.
Discrimination: Discrimination includes prejudiced actions or comments against any individual or group.
Bullying: Bullying includes any form of written, verbal, or physical abuse.
Unauthorized Activities: Any activities that violate laws, rules, or policies.
Reporting
If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, please report it to Sarah Ridinger or Natasha DePuy promptly. Reports will be treated with confidentiality and will be investigated appropriately.
Consequences
Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in removal from this production, inability to participate in future events as well as legal action if applicable.