Allie Meyer and Matthew Stensrud were recently chosen to be co-directors for New Prague High School’s fall musical. The two wanted to co-direct the upcoming production as they both have the experience and can coordinate together.
“I heard there was an opening for director, so I went to Matt and I asked him if he wanted to do this together,” said Meyer, who will begin her ninth year as a social studies teacher at the high school this fall.
“When Allie came to talk to me about co-directing, I was excited,” said Stensrud who will begin his 15th year of teaching this fall in language arts and English at NPHS.
The opening for director came about as longtime director, Ben Thietje, stepped down. Besides directing the high school musical, one act and spring play, Thietje was also involved in running the local theater group DalekoArts, which shut down earlier this year.
“Because this was deemed to be the final season for DalekoArts, I started searching for another job,” Thietje said. “I ended up getting hired as the executive director of the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wis.”
At first, he thought he could juggle the new job and directing the high school fall musical.
“As I learned more about the demands at the Phipps Center, I realized I would need to resign from the high school (director). I gave (NPHS activities director) Brad Skogerboe my resignation, and then met with the students on May 24 to let them know,” said Thietje. “It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I will miss that job — and the students — so very much.”
Stepping in
Meyer and Stensrud feel they complement each other. Meyer said she is type A in the opposite places Stensrud is. Meyer explained she is a stickler for...
To see more on this story pick up the August 24, 2023 print edition of The New Prague Times.
