Waseca theatre performs "Little Women"

What do the theatrical productions Little Women, How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying, and Mamma Mia all have in common? They are on the docket for the Waseca Drama department’s 2022-2023 season. The first production, Little Women, will be presented at the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on November 17, 18, and 19, and at 4 p.m. on November 20.

Anna Pollock, theater director at the Waseca Junior/Senior High School, says she feels fortunate on several counts: “My first production with the Waseca Drama Department as the director was winter of 2021. My father works as the Performing Arts Center manager, and after the fall play in 2021, there was a need for a new director. Since I had been back in Waseca for a little over a year, I jumped at the chance to work with these students. The new theater played a major role in this - I was extremely excited to work in such a beautiful facility!”    

Born and raised in Waseca, Pollock came back to her hometown after eight years away to continue the line of work she is most passionate about: people. In a winding path that started with studying Music Business at McNally Smith College of Music, then became working at The Recording Academy, to eventually landing back in Minnesota at WCCO Radio, she finds fulfillment in community-driven work. In 2020, Pollock helped build Lead For Minnesota, a state affiliate of the national non-profit Lead For America, by developing and managing their state fellowship program. During her time there, she focused on supporting “Fellows,” college students far along in their programs, doing revitalization work in their own communities on projects ranging from child care access to grassroots community development in rural towns. Currently, Pollock calls the theater program at the Waseca Junior/Senior High school home and directs high school productions that evoke joy and thoughtfulness through storytelling on stage.

Along with creating fabulous productions, Pollock and her thespians are trying something new this year: 501(c)3 status for the drama department. “I spoke with the kids first and foremost,” Pollock says.  “They are the drivers of this incredible energy. I am so very lucky to have such a talented and passionate bunch. After that, I had a group of parents who helped me with ushering and ticketing for Legally Blonde. I asked if they would be interested in getting a booster program started for theater. With the help of Ann Fitch, executive director of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, I was able to learn how to construct a board and file for our 501(c)3 status.”  Having this enables the drama department to continue performing musicals every year. “Theater is expensive. Between licensing, set design and building, costuming, props, and salaries, it all adds up! The Waseca School District is graciously funding musicals every other year, but I believe the community and our kids are hungry for more.”  Pollock states that the response from Legally Blonde: The Musical told her what folks in the community were craving. “I understood that we all wanted more joy, more fun, more theater to ease back into life with COVID-19. In came the Waseca Drama Department, a 501(c)3 booster program that’s sole purpose is to support theater in Waseca through fundraising, organizing, mentoring, and outreach. This nonprofit acts just like other booster programs, but will be fully dedicated to theater both in the school and the community as a whole.” Pollock is referring to the drama department website which states funds raised through the Waseca Drama Department will also be used to build a community theater program to utilize the beautiful performing arts center at the Waseca Junior/Senior High during the summer months.

The future looks bright for the Waseca Drama department; Pollock will be facilitating the group’s annual meeting in October, where parents 

and students will share their goals and plans for being involved. “Alongside the booster program, the students and I have started a new Waseca Drama Club; our main goal is to hold workshops throughout the school year that allow students, in or outside of the productions, to learn more about acting, theater, production, and the technical aspects of shows,” Pollock says. “ We’re always looking for folks with experience in this field to come speak, hold workshops, classes, or activities, and teach these passionate, talented kids.”  For those wondering how they can best support the WJSH theater department, Pollock says it’s easy. “First and foremost, come to the shows! Our season was announced in July, and can be found at www.tinyurl.com/wasecadramadept . Secondly, we are hosting fundraising events throughout the first year of our inception. Stay tuned!” Pollock can be reached at pola@waseca.k12.mn.us.