Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra concludes 52nd season Page 3
Arts
April 17, 2015
April Issue
Dennis Swanson set the tone for theater in Dakota County BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER The words “high school theater” or “community theater,” spoken in Dakota County, inevitably lead to Dennis Swanson. Swanson, a resident of Eagan, directed plays at Apple Valley High School from 1976 to 1989, and at Eagan High School from 1989 until he retired from full-time teaching in 2003. But even in retirement, he has directed more than 40 productions. From 2006-12, Swanson directed shows at Lakeville South High School. He has continued to be a judge for one-act play and speech competitions. “I’m 69 years old, but I’ll keep at it,” Swanson said. “I need to keep out of the recliner.” Since the early 1980s, he has been the guru behind community theater productions each summer. Swanson started the summer productions in Apple Valley, and then moved the operation to Eagan, where the first summer play opened in 1990. “These are family-oriented shows open to actors of all ages, from all over the Twin Cities area,” Swanson said. “We have very, very high-quality people in our summer productions. Many are professional quality. We’ve been very fortunate to draw extremely talented people.” Each play runs for between 13 and 20 performances, Swanson said. They are self-supporting, relying on proceeds from ticket sales. Most of the plays are sold-out performances, filling every one of the 680 seats in the Eagan High School Auditorium, Swanson said. “We have a pretty solid following every
Pictured with several of the Schiffelly Puppets are, from left: Sue Schiffman, Jim Schiffman and Shelley Kothe. (Submitted photo) summer,” he said. This year, “Beauty and the Beast” will be onstage at Eagan High School for 13 performances, from July 17 to Aug. 1. Auditions will be conducted at the end of May. Last year, Swanson said, several people in
their 50s auditioned; people as old as 70 have showed up for try-outs, he said. “Every summer, we get students from all four high schools and incoming ninthgraders from most of the middle schools,” Swanson said. “A couple of the students I
had at Apple Valley come back year after year. One gal has been in a minimum of 25 or 30 productions. We have a couple of adults over 30 years who come back year PUPPETS - TO PAGE 6