Werpy managing operations at Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

Bret Werpy has been named operations manager at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University. After working at the center as a college student and again part time in later years, he joined the team full time July 22. 

As operations manager, Werpy is responsible for logistical and technical event support, scheduling and client services, recruiting, training and supervising student event staff, and building, facility and equipment management. 

Werpy handles all incoming requests for events to ensure the center has availability and to confirm clients’ needs. He organizes the necessary details for student event staff, supervises setup, provides on-site support and supervises event teardown and organization. 

A Brookings native and an SDSU alum, Werpy already has plenty of event experience. He got his start in the industry as a student worker at the Performing Arts Center before graduating with his bachelor’s degree in music entrepreneurship in 2018. 

“I worked at a ton of the Woodbine Productions events during my five years as an SDSU student. I sang in the Concert Choir and the Statesmen, played with the jazz band,” Werpy said. “I was also the student station manager for KSDJ for two years. 

“I loved working here as a student, and to have an opportunity to help the current students have an experience like I did really appealed to me. I really enjoy the live production side of things, and continuing to do that is something I’m really looking forward to. Teaching and training the student event staff to do some of those things, too, that makes me really excited,” he added. 

Werpy will oversee a student event staff of about 15-20 and will be at career fairs to recruit interested students. He may also supervise student interns in the future. 

A musician since his teens who handled technical support at church starting in sixth grade, Werpy most recently served as worship and music director at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings for three years. He also helped part time at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on an as-needed basis for large events. 

Before that, he worked in radio and was director of the Mitchell School District Performing Arts Center for 2 ½ years. 

Werpy is also now working in the same facility as his wife, Andie Star, program assistant and special projects coordinator for SDSU’s School of Performing Arts. 

“We’re very fortunate, because this has been a very natural transition for Bret and a pretty easy onboarding process,” said Christina Castillo, the Larson Family Endowed Director of the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. “He already knows the staff and many of the students, so Bret is already part of the team. We’re just officially welcoming him full time, which is great.” 

For any operational inquiries or assistance, reach out to Werpy via email or by phone at 605-688-5188. To inquire about booking an event at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, fill out the online request form.