“Beavers After Hours” Brings Late-Night Energy to Minot State

“Beavers After Hours” is a classic late-night talk show with a Minot State focus, written and produced by MSU Pro Comm students and hosted by late-night veteran Jake Thrailkill. The show features an opening monologue, interviews with and performances by guests of local and regional renown, hilarious skits and bits, and music from house band The Dirty Pop Tarts with Jersey Johnson as the lead singer.

Star of the show, Jake Thrailkill, is quick to acknowledge that he is thrilled to be back behind the host desk. “I’m honored and grateful to the Pro Comm students at MSU for creating the opportunity for me to do something I love,” says Thrailkill; “working with students has been a great experience, and we can’t wait to bring you all the fun!”

Our first live audience show will take place on December 13, 2025, at the Aleshire Theatre on the Minot State University campus. Tickets are $10 for the general public and can be purchased online; all proceeds benefit KMSU. The show is free for MSU students with student ID. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by a social hour with drinks and a cash bar provided by the Blue Rider.

An evening at “Beavers After Hours” is “more than just the late-night talk show,” says Executive Producer Jonathan Pearce; “it’s a full experience with social hour, live music, red carpet, and an opportunity to get loose with your friends before the laughs start rolling. You don’t want to miss any part of it!”

Our first guest on the December 13th show is rap artist Dakota Faye—a Minot native, seasoned musician, and storyteller known for delivering raw emotion with genuine authenticity. Over the past decade, he’s toured widely throughout the Midwest, sharing his powerful sound and heartfelt lyrics with audiences from all walks of life. Dakota will perform with our house band, The Dirty Pop Tarts, and promises to be a lively interviewee for our host Jake Thrailkill.

Our second guests are Jonah Lantto and Dawn Palumbo, the duo behind the popular true-crime podcast Midwest Murder. Lantto, founder of Minot’s Good Talk Network, is known for producing live events and community-driven storytelling, while Palumbo is both an entrepreneur and an engaging co-host whose sharp insight and humor help define the show’s voice. Together, they’ve built a strong regional following and are sure to deliver a lively, memorable interview on the Beavers After Hours stage.

Pro Comm Professor Neil Roberts is excited about the opportunity for students to work with seasoned professionals and to put on a full-length show before a live audience. “Jake and ShaunAnne (Tangney) bring a wealth of experience and talent—in both late-night comedy and teaching—and it’s been a real learning opportunity for the students,” says Roberts.

“Beavers After Hours” is a one-of-a-kind live experience that you don’t want to miss! It lights up Minot with comedy, music, and a theatre full of community energy—bringing the whole city together for an unforgettable night—all brought to you by Minot State University’s Pro Comm Department.