Mayo High School shines with recognition from Hennepin Theatre Trust

Jun. 7—ROCHESTER — Mayo High School is taking the show on the road ... or part of the show, anyway.

The school racked up a slew of recognitions from the Hennepin Theatre Trust for the productions it hosted throughout the year, including "The Addams Family" and "Clue." In addition to being recognized, the school will perform a medley of its "Addams Family" production Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.

That's something the school hasn't been able to do in a while.

"It's been a banner year for us," director Amy Monson said. "Part of that is because kids just want to be involved and invested after being home for a long time, and they want to engage with something creative. Theater's a perfect place for that."

The school has been involved with the Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Education Program since 2015, according to Monson. This is the first year they've been selected to perform a medley of their work since their production of "Chicago" in 2016.

Aside from recognizing casts and individual students for their performances, the program provides training and expertise. Monson said that when she needed to teach her students combat scenes for the production of "Robin Hood," the Theatre Trust helped them do so. Or if students want to sign up for a masterclass in the cities, they're able to do that.

Monson said working with the Hennepin Theatre Trust is a way to give students a more professional perspective of theater and the arts, rather than one constrained by a high school budget. Several of the students noted that as well.

"Seeing where this could go and what it would look like if you continued with it (after high school) is really neat," Erin Stoeckig, the stage manager, said about the Trust's program.

Lorelai Lewis, playing the role of "Morticia" expressed a similar opinion. Recognized with multiple "honorable mentions," she has been given the chance to emcee both nights of the Hennepin Theatre Trust's spotlight showcase next week.

"It's just fun to see the bigger picture of theater," she said. "Theater isn't just Mayo High School ... there's bigger and better things out there. And with Hennepin Theatre, you get to experience that."

One of the main cast members from the production, Will Laudon, has gained some special recognition from the Trust, becoming a "Triple Threat Finalist." According to a press release, that designation recognizes students for "outstanding skills in singing, acting, dancing, and leadership."

"I think it's been a really cool experience for us," He said about getting to perform the medley at the State Theatre. He went on to describe the Triple Threat Program as "the Minnesota Tony Awards for teenagers."

On Thursday, the cast rehearsed their shortened "Addams Family" version ahead of their medley in the Twin Cities.

In order to shorten the production, Monson said she and the other directors tried to consider a handful of factors, like how do they involve the most kids while also narrating part of the story arc.

"We take it on the emotional journey too, of the tender moments between parents and child, and then the celebratory ending," Monson said. "We talk it through so that we can do the show justice in five minutes."

Mayo High School presented the fall musical The Addams Family and is receiving the following 15 honors for its achievements:

Company Honors

Overall Production: Outstanding

Achievement in Musical Theatre: Honorable Mention

Ensemble Performance: Honorable Mention

Vocal Performance: Honorable Mention

Run Crew: Outstanding

Student Orchestra: Outstanding

Light and Sound Crew: Outstanding

Costume Crew: Outstanding

Overall Technical Team: Outstanding

Individual Honors

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role:

William Laudon as Gomez

Logan Ackerman as Fester

Honorable Mention for Performance in a Leading Role:

Lorelai Lewis

Honorable Mention for Performance in a Supporting Role:

Rhys Van Ert

Outstanding in Technical Leadership:

Ant Van Brunt as Hair and Make Up Designer

Evaluator Shout-Out:

Olivia Nelson as Wednesday

Mayo High School presented the spring play "Clue: On Stage" and is receiving the following 25 honors for its achievements:

Company Honors

Overall Production: Honorable Mention

Overall Performance: Honorable Mention

Ensemble Performance: Honorable Mention

Acting Performance: Honorable Mention

Costume Crew: Honorable Mention

Run Crew: Honorable Mention

Light and Sound Crew: Honorable Mention

Overall Technical Team: Outstanding

Individual Honors

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role:

William Laudon as Wadsworth

Logan Ackerman as Mr. Green

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role:

Luke Shaffer as Colonel Mustard

Sydney Brown as Mrs. Peacock

Honorable Mention for Performance in a Supporting Role:

Lorelai Lewis as Miss Scarlet

Rocco Ruggeri as Professor Plum

Honorable Mention in Technical Leadership:

Connor Morrey as Lighting Designer

Julia Couch as Props Master

Mable Glaser as Audience Liaison

Gabriele Kolar as Hair and Make Up Designer

Thomas Stoeckig as Sound Designer

Erin Stoeckig as Stage Manager

Vern Eich as Costumer

Leah Dow as Assistant Props Master

Julia Sanchez as Assistant Stage Manager

Evaluator Shout-Outs:

Morgan Fuglestad

Ally Week