Mahtomedi High School Theater Manager Dennis Joslyn was a teenager in high school when he first entered the world of theater. He was introduced to the musical Rent, and shared, “It was the first time I could remember hearing a soundtrack to a musical that spoke to me–it brought me in as a teenage boy in northern Minnesota that theater could be something other than those 1940s and 50s classics.” After that moment, he started getting involved in theater productions, on stage and behind the scenes. In his junior year of college, he decided that directing was his true calling.
Now, Mr. Joslyn brings over 25 years of directing experience in high school, professional, and community productions. In his work, he takes that passion that first drew him in to theater and extends it to the next generation: “That is the greatest part of all of this… is that I get to go find those kids who maybe don’t know theater as well, and I get to show them how magical it can be.”
This summer, he is launching a new initiative in Mahtomedi in partnership with Community Education: a community play! Anyone over age 15–including students, staff, family, and community members–can participate as an actor or crew member in the production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This musical is a joyful and heartwarming show from the modern day that still “has that feel of Golden-Age Broadway,” according to Mr. Joslyn.
This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our community to come together to bring a production to life. When asked about the importance of expanding theater intergenerationally, Mr. Joslyn shared this: “Working with people of different age brackets gives you an opportunity to learn different perspectives and see different sides of how to go about this work.”
Mr. Joslyn is excited to see the talent our community offers and hopes to turn this into an annual tradition. To do so, we need support from our community! Learn more and register for crew or a free audition on Eleyo by June 2nd!