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On April 10-13, the town of Lindstrom morphs into the fictional town of “Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire,” as the Chisago Lakes Community Education department presents “Our Town.”  

“I performed ‘Our Town’ in college and this has been a very different experience,” said Claire Lovaas, who plays the stage manager. Lovaas is one of the cast members who is a Chisago Lakes former student. 

“I’m honored to be with this group. I had fallen out of love with theater but it keeps pulling me back and I’ve been amazed at how much talent this cast has.” 

The cast includes parents of current and former students as well as members of the high school drama program (freshman up to seniors).

Gabe Muedeking, a senior who has performed in over 14 school productions, plays the lead role of George Gibbs. He is joined by Ezra Sechrist who plays Emily Webb as current members of the student body who are in the performance.

“George’s take on everything is that not a day would go past where he wouldn’t want to know everything that is happening in this town,” said Muedeking. “He will always have family in our town. And I think about the similarities between that and our own town. You have this understanding that no matter how far you venture off, you’ll always be pulled back to this place.” Maya Benesch, a Chisago Lakes class of 2022 graduate, said for her, Our Town “helps you appreciate life in the moment,” she said. “It’s a slice of life for sure.”

The play is set in the time period of between 1901 and 1913. It is a three-act play with each act focusing on on a different stage of life “Daily Life, Love and Marriage and Death and Eternity.” 

The performance is directed by Becky Sechrist and there is a cast and crew of 28 students and community members. Rehearsals began a few months ago, but they had to work around a band and choir trip to Greece, a Variety Show where many of the student performers also participated, as well as several other events in the PAC.

“Rehearsals have been great,” said Becky Sechrist . “They’ve really been working hard.”

Ezra Sechrist said, "At first you think it’s a love story, but then you realize there is a lot of real life to it, too.”

Muedeking and Sechrist both appreciate the opportunity to work with a wide variety of players. “It’s nice doing it as a community play where it’s not just someone 17 years old playing a character that’s eight years old and someone 17 playing a character that’s 45 years old,” he said.

Added Sechrist, “The age range brings a different perspective versus what you normally might see.” Morgan Von Feldt, a 2019 graduate of Chisago Lakes appreciates the family nature of both the play itself and the cast putting the show on.

“This is the first time I’ve been onstage in five years,” she said having stepped away from performing during the time of COVID. “I’ve been performing since I was 11 years old and this is a great opportunity with the community show.”

Ian Lexvold who is also a member of the cast, had a vision for creating a community theater opportunity in Chisago Lakes. 

 This is the second year that Community Education has coordinated the spring performance, which was cut from the school district budget in recent years. It gives the students  opportunity to be on stage, and it gives them the chance to work with talented actors and graduates who are a little more advanced in their acting careers.

Becky Sechrist noted that the performances of the stage manager characters have really given a fresh take on ‘Our Town.’

“They’ve created something not seen before,” said Sechrist. “The show is about everyday life and the characters are very relatable to those of us in this area. We hope everyone will enjoy the performances.”

Show times are Thursday April 10, Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 at 7 pm and Sunday, April 13 at 2 pm. Tickets are just $12 for adults above 18 and $10 for students and seniors. Visit the community education page https://isd2144.ce.eleyo.com/course/2800/winter-2025/our-town#tickets-apr-10 to purchase tickets. Performances will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom. Come in through door 33.

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