Life Up North

DD ARTIST PROFILE SERIES – Artistic Directors Cal and Metts and Sarah Lawrence Are the Heart and Soul of Loon Opera

Husband and wife Cal Metts and Sarah Lawrence moved to Duluth after performing here with Colder by the Lake in the parody “Les Uncomfortables” in 2001. They had been living in Chicago, where Cal was singing with regional opera companies and symphonies as well as with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s chorus, and Sarah was beginning a professional singing career with regional companies.

When they moved to Duluth, they performed locally and with theatres, opera companies, and symphonies, together and separately around the U.S. Sarah also played Christine Daaé as a member of the Third National Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera” and in “Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular.”

When Ruth Jacobson founded Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), she hired Sarah and Cal to perform in “The Magic Flute.” After Ruth’s passed in 2010, the couple was asked to share the position of Co-General Artistic Directors for LOON.

“When Sarah and I were asked to become the General Artistic Directors of LOON in 2010, at first we told the board of directors no. But Ruth’s 12-year-old daughter Georgia was much more convincing when she insisted that we continue her mother’s work,” said Cal.

About their administrative and tech work with LOON, Sarah explained, “We work together on plan repertoire and build the teams for each production. Cal focuses on set building, props, and managing all the props, scenic elements, whether they are getting put back into storage or sent somewhere for a rental. I write the grants, work with the board and committees, work on budgets and fundraising, and with Kailyn Pelerin I work on marketing and communications, as well as production-related stuff like finding housing, helping with schedules, and more.”

Locally, Cal and Sarah have been in productions at The Duluth Playhouse playing leading roles in “My Fair Lady” and “Secret Garden,” with LOON, with Colder by the Lake, and in concerts with the DSSO. Regionally, they have appeared with Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Skylark Opera Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, and the Minnesota Oratorio Society.

Cal and Sarah love their life in Duluth with their daughter, Gigi, a seventh grader, who they describe as “a self-appointed Junior Executive Director, production team member, and frequent on-stage collaborator with LOON.”

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Gigi has performed with LOON and the Playhouse, among others. Sarah said, “She works with LOON the way kids who grow up in any family business do -- they help out where they're needed. She has answered phones, worked with Ann Gumpper and Cal in the scenic shop, painted, sanded, given speeches at fundraisers, and sung in concerts.” Gigi also plays violin in the DSSYO and studies ballet at Minnesota Ballet.

A Love Affair with Duluth

“After 17 years in Chicago, the small-town feel of Duluth has been a relief,” said Cal. “I also think Duluth should be extremely proud of the arts scene here. There is an extraordinary amount of very good art happening in our community.”

“We have a great view of the city and the lake from our house,” added Sarah. “I fall in love with our city again every time I look out the window.”

She added, “Our lives intersect so regularly with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Ballet, the Duluth Playhouse, Wise Fool Shakespeare– it does feel more and more like one big ecosystem.”

Perspectives on Opera

The talented couple have immersed themselves in an art form they clearly love. “Opera is a grand expression of emotions . . .  anguish, joy . . . It is very cathartic to sing or experience opera in any form,” Cal stated.

Sarah added, “From the most private, reflective thoughts to outrage, triumph, ecstasy – all the most intense feelings can be expressed so powerfully through opera.”

It is unique for opera companies in our size market to have grown and thrived for 20 years the way LOON has. With Cal and Sarah’s leadership, LOON has deservedly found its audience for both life-long opera lovers and new patrons.

“The Impresario” and “Circe on Superior” Opens 20^th LOON Season

2 Operas
3 Little Pigs
14 Duluth jokes
3,700 hydangeas
20 Years of LOON
Friday, November 1 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 PM
At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage
Sung in English, with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

Sarah Lawrence is playing the role of Amelia Hope in “The Impresario” and Katharina Fach in “Circe On Superior” Gigi will play Eevi in “Circe.”

The evening pays homage to Ruth Jacobsen, founder of LOON, and honors scenic designer Ann Gumpper who is retiring after designing over 20 shows for LOON as well as for a variety of other organizations.

Next Up for Loon Opera
“The Radio Hour”  A choral opera in one act
Composed by Jake Heggie Libretto by Gene Scheer
Friday, January 24 at 7:00 PM Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM
At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage
Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

In 40 minutes and three parts, this choral opera tells the story of Nora, a woman having a very bad day. She seeks solace by locking herself inside her apartment and turning on the radio. The chorus represents the inner monologue of her life and the imaginative possibilities that await her.

“The Radio Hour” A choral opera in one act

 

 

DD THEATRE REVIEW - "Macbeth A Dinner Party" at Zeitgeist Theater

“A celebration of one of The Bard’s most infamous plays with food, drinks, and, of course, witches.” -Robert Lee, Director

Zeitgeist Theater has long been known for its bold, cutting-edge theater. Their current production of the immersive “Macbeth A Dinner Party” gives, as they describe it, a “new take on a diner and a show.”

Closing the restaurant for the Sunday and Monday night performances, Zeitgeist moved its “stage” to the second floor of the restaurant. With the 40-member audience seated at tables lining the walls on three sides and with the acting space in the middle. The actors were often up close and personal, sometimes playing directly into audience members' faces and even sitting down at the tables at times.

Eliminating the fourth wall made Shakespeare’s timeless story even more immediate and devastating. A talented 18-member cast, several playing two or more roles, also waited tables and gave the audience an interesting historical background of the period and the play.

Along the way, the cast also shared some of the play’s fascinating, troubled history and the folklore of episodes of accidents, illnesses, and even deaths, starting with the first performance of Macbeth (circa 1606) when the young male actor playing Lady Macbeth took ill, (or according to some accounts died), and Shakespeare himself stepped into the role.

In a world where “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair” and ghosts, witches, imaginary daggers and walking “trees” abound, the cast takes the audience along on the wild witnessing of the blackest of deeds, where “direst cruelty” shows the worst of human nature.

Standout supporting roles in the Zeitgeist production included Karen Wyse Niedermier as the hilarious drunken porter and Eric Elefson as the tragic Macduff. The trio of weird sisters, Christine Winkler-Johnson, Agatha Pokrzywinski, and Olivia Nelson, created the show’s dark tone from the beginning with their “double, double, toil and trouble” incantations.

Justin Peck was entirely convincing as the noble Banquo, both as Macbeth’s devoted friend and later as a ghostly apparition, the uninvited guest at the dinner party. Playing an early murder victim, the trusting and virtuous King Duncan, John Pokrzywinski was also commanding and believable, representing the social order that Macbeth decimates.

Kate Horvath had strong moments as the ruthless and plotting Lady Macbeth, clearly starting the path of death and destruction with her prodding and manipulation of her husband to follow his deepest and darkest ambitions.

Her final important “out damned spot” scene, however, lost some of its impact at times to blocking that had her at the far end of the playing space with her back to half the audience for part of the famous speech. (For a profile of Kate Horvath, go to destinationduluth.org

Taking on the daunting tasks of directing, menu planning, and playing the title role, Robert Lee has had a ten-year odyssey of his “passion project,” with the style and intent of his version of “Macbeth” finally coming to fruition with this production.

Early on, Lee's delivery was somewhat flat and lacking in some intensity and vocal variety. He grew stronger in the role, however, as the show went on and his character descended into an inexorable path of blood lust, ambition, and madness.

Because of the darker lighting of the “out of the box” venue, the audience could not clearly see some of the actors important facial expressions, so crucial for the actors’ “toolboxes” to convey character. And the audience also had to eat much of the meal in dim light, making dining an “adventure” when they could not read the menu of descriptions of their dishes.

Chef Stuart Gordon was in charge of the pre-show snack and four-course meal.

Several of the finger-food Americanized versions of Scottish dishes were delightful. Depending, however, on the palates of audience members, other selections were a bit hit and miss, as evidenced by what was left on trays.

The timing of Zeitgeist’s production was brilliant in the final days of election campaigns that are as dark and twisted as anything Shakespeare himself could have conceived. Imagine the fun, though, that the immortal Bard would have had with these modern-day villains and an outrageous “plot” that is beyond belief.

MACBETH: A DINNER PARTY
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert Lee
October 20-November 11

The run is sold out with nightly wait lists to fill seats of no-shows.

Up Next at Renegade
“Invisible Fences”
November 7-23
Written by Gaelynn Lea and Kevin  Kling
Directed by Timothy White
For tickets, go to zeitgeist arts.com

Singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience.

This production blends their internationally renowned skills in music and storytelling to create an intimate show that is rich in the wit and wisdom inherent in Disability Culture.

Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds the cast is creating.

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About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.

 

 

Meet a First Responder - Mark Mathison is a Duluth Paramedic of 46 Years

Duluth paramedic Mark Mathison has seen it all.

He has delivered babies. He has reversed countless drug overdoses with the lifesaving medication Narcan. The scenarios he responds to daily would undoubtedly boggle your mind.

“We respond to everything from toothaches to major traumas,” he said. “As paramedics, we are under obligation to respond to 911 calls for whatever reason.”

With 46 years of service, Mathison is the most senior team member at Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service. In addition to his current role as a paramedic, he has worked as an EMT, dispatcher, helicopter paramedic, and field training officer.

But, whatever you do, please don’t refer to his position as an “ambulance driver.” The highly skilled, life-saving heroes in this field deserve to be called by their rightful titles: EMTs or paramedics (more on this distinction later).

With all his experience, you would be blessed to have Mathison on the scene if you ever need to call 911. But – and, please don’t take this the wrong way - he hopes he never has to show up at your door.

“The longer you can go in life without needing an ambulance, the better off you are,” he noted with a wry chuckle.

Background

Mathison was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in many cities and towns across Minnesota, including Rochester, Fridley, Plainview, Annandale, and Minneapolis. His father, the late Dr. Robert Mathison, started his career as a primary care physician and later became an anesthesiologist. His late mother, Barbara, had a nursing degree but ultimately stayed home to raise Mark and his five siblings.

Mathison recalls having a pretty idyllic childhood. “I played football, baseball, and hockey,” he said. “And us kids were very outdoorsy. We’d head outdoors at dawn and come back in when the streetlights came on.”

He shared some early memories about the medical profession. “As a primary doctor, my dad did house calls. A lot of our Sunday drives included riding along with him to different farmhouses to see his patients.”

When he was in 3^rd grade, Mathison saw his first ambulance. “When we were living in Annandale, my friend got hit by a car. They called my dad, who showed up to help but then had to call an ambulance. My friend had a broken femur but was eventually ok.”

Early Training as a First Responder

While he was still in high school at Mayo Senior High in Rochester, Mathison had a friend who worked for Gold Cross as a dispatcher. “I thought that might be fun to do,” he said. “911 was just getting started back then.”

At age 16 or 17, he completed the roughly 100-hour course and became certified as an EMT. He was then hired at Gold Cross.

You may wonder what the difference is between an EMT and a paramedic. “Being an EMT is the foundation of being a paramedic,” Mathison said. “EMTs recognize strokes and heart attacks, can control bleeding, do splinting, address head injuries and psychiatric emergencies, and handle basic airways.

“The role of a paramedic has more physiology involved,” he explained. “We do advanced airways (endotracheal tubes), start IVs, administer medications, handle all types of cardiac issues – including reading ECGs (electrocardiogram) – and have more knowledge about drug interactions.”

After graduating high school, Mathison thought he’d become a veterinarian and attended the University of Minnesota for a time. But ultimately, that wasn’t the right fit. When his father transferred to Duluth, Mathison joined him.

He was hired at Gold Cross Ambulance in Duluth as an EMT on December 8, 1978.

46 Years of Saving Lives

While at Gold Cross, Mathison started out as a nighttime dispatcher, and would also “run calls” with his boss during the day. He started training as a paramedic immediately. After passing his test through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, he was certified.

As noted, over the years, Mathison has worn different “hats” in his field. “I flew for ten years through Luke’s One Helicopter,” he noted. “There, we handled patient transfers from one ICU to another and on-scene trauma calls such as car accidents.”

Later, he worked as a field training officer for 20 years, helping train new paramedics. He has spent his remaining years as a paramedic.

In 1994, Gold Cross was purchased by Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, which remains the only ambulance service in Duluth. When being driven in an ambulance, patients can select the hospital of their choice.

Shifts + Day in the Life

Mathison reports to work at the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service offices at 4505 West Michigan Street. His team's geographic range includes the southern 1/3 of St. Louis County, so they’ll go as far as Cotton. Mathison works 12-hour day shifts, but Mayo is staffed round the clock.

A paramedic’s day starts by checking out their “truck” (ambulance) to ensure it is well-stocked with equipment. However, “We are on duty from the moment we show up,” he noted. “We have to walk in the door ready to go. The night shift is ready to be relieved by the time we arrive.”

Stories

As noted, paramedics respond to any and every 911 call you can imagine. In addition to the fire and police departments, paramedics are the first on the scene for any life-threatening scenario your mind can conjure up.

Mathison shared a few memorable stories. “Once, I got dispatched to help a lady who was having abdominal pains. When we arrived, she was crowning – she didn’t know she was pregnant.” Mathison has, in fact, successfully delivered four babies and was on-scene for three more.

He recalls a 90-year-old man who had fallen and broken some ribs. When Mathison arrived, the patient was crying – it was the day of his wife’s funeral, and he took a tumble while getting ready. As he wasn’t considered critical, Mathison – with the patient in an ambulance – kindly stopped at the funeral first so this man could say goodbye to his wife.

And, longtime Duluthians will remember the tragic story of the woman who died after becoming caught in – and bisected by - the Aerial Lift Bridge in 1990. Mathison was the first responder on-scene.

One noteworthy – and very unfortunate – trend in his field is the increase in drug overdoses. “In my first 20 years, I gave Narcan maybe five times,” he said. “And, in the last 26 years, I would say we give Narcan at least three times a week.”

Personal

Mathison and his wife, Joni, who is retired from Lake Superior College, live in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. They have two adult children, Abigail (married to Charley) and Brent (married to Stephanie). The Mathisons have three beloved grandkids—Landon, Emmett, and Amelia—and a Black Lab named Buster.

In his free time, Mathison enjoys taking outdoor photos. Some of his favorite places to shoot are Hawk’s Ridge and the Sax-Zim Bog. Being out in nature and spending time with his grandchildren are some of his favorite ways to decompress after work.

Advice

After 46 years as a paramedic, Mathison would recommend his profession to others. “It’s so rewarding when my patients have good outcomes,” he said, adding, “But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes we’re the guardian angel and sometimes we’re the grim reaper.”

“We definitely need more good people,” he said. “If you don’t want to be a paramedic or EMT, maybe you can consider helping through your community’s volunteer service.”

If this job is something you’re contemplating, consider what Mathison says is needed to be good in this role. “You have to be pretty Type A,” he noted. “You have to dig in immediately and do what needs to be done.

“And EMS is nothing but change,” he added, referring to how medical intervention procedures evolve as we learn more. “If you don’t like change, you can’t be in this job.”

Based on everything he’s seen and experienced, he gave the following life advice: “Hug your kids. You just never know.”

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Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

 

Darci Griffith Gamerl is an award-winning orchestral and chamber musician who also composes and arranges music. “Music enriches my life personally in so many ways. I love to explore new repertoire, writing music and exploring new textures. Playing is also very cathartic for me and performing is a beautiful way of weaving a story for the listener,” she said.

Growing up in northern British Columbia, she came about her love of music at an early age, starting in first grade on the recorder and singing in choir, then moving on to the clarinet and eventually to the oboe. She now plays both oboe and English horn.

“My Grandpa Reid played violin in the Vancouver Symphony. He had paid a trapper to teach him in exchange for lessons. He would always send us tape cassettes and video recordings of orchestral music to listen/watch. (I didn't realize how much it impacted me until I was in college as a music major and had all the major violin concerti memorized), Gamerl said. “He was a huge influence and inspiration as he played his entire life both in orchestras and in chamber groups.”

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master's degree in Oboe Performance. In addition to playing the oboe and English horn, she is also a studio musician and website designer, and she teaches at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

This is her 19th year performing with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as Assistant Principal Oboe. She also currently plays with the Sioux City Orchestra (2nd Oboe/English horn); Lincoln Symphony Orchestra (3rd Oboe/English horn); South Dakota Symphony (3rd Oboe/English horn); and Omaha Symphony Orchestra (regular substitute).

 Bel Canto

Gamerl is a founding member of the music ensemble, Bel Canto Duo, with her husband, looping artist and cellist David Downing. She said “Bel Canto Duo specializes in writing and performing original, classical music with immersive elements such as our Four Cather Tableaux with our original film. It really evokes the beauty of the prairies especially when paired with Willa Cather's beautiful writing. We will be exhibiting the Tableaux at the Joslyn Art Museum in January of 2025,” she said.

The film highlights Cather’s personal life and body of work with extensive commentary by American filmmaker, Ken Burns.

“Playing music in Bel Canto Duo with my husband. has been rewarding on so many levels . . . There is so much that is communicated when you are performing with someone. The nonverbal communication goes very deep and is really phenomenal to experience. Performing closely with David has been fascinating, and we have both learned a lot from each other as we continue to grow as a chamber ensemble,” she said.

 Courageous Lights

The DSSO will be performing the piece entitled English Horn Concerto: Courageous Lights at their upcoming concert on October 26 with Gamerl as the oboe soloist. She was also the Consortium Leader of the piece.

Dirk Meyer, DSSO Music Director, said, “Darci approached me a while back about supporting a new commission to James Lee III, and I was excited about it right away. James’ music is very interesting and colorful, while at the same time approachable and beautiful.”

“In addition, I thought it was a great and worthwhile idea to write about courageous women activists,” Meyer said. “We performed the world premiere together last season with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, and it was a great success. I’m looking forward to bringing this work to the Twin Ports audience.”

He added, “Besides her wonderful musicality and virtuosity, Darci brings a wonderful energy and passion for innovation to our group, as can be seen in this project, which only came to fruition thanks to her efforts.”

Composer of Courageous Lights James Lee III

“This is a concerto based on three outstanding women activists. The title is derived from how these women have courageously sought to be a light and inspire positive change in their sphere of influence,” Lee III said.

He explained the first movement Amanda’s Ascent “is inspired by American poet and activist Amanda Gorman's poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ for President Joseph Biden's inauguration. Specifically, the movement is inspired by themes of light and unity.”

The second movement is named for Zitkála-Sá's Song. He said, “This movement is inspired by Zitkála-Sá's activism as she advocated for American Indians to receive full citizenship in the United States. The music in this movement reflects her passion for change and the uplifting of her people.”

Lee III stated, “This last movement is inspired by Malala Yousafzai and her activism in striving for the education of girls. She has advocated for safe and free education and worked to bring forward the voices of women and people of color.”

“I have enjoyed working with Darci because of her enthusiasm and dedication in bringing my concerto alive! She has a wonderful and beautiful sound when she performs my music,” Lee III added.

Collaborative Project

Gamerl has enjoyed the collaborative process of working with Lee III and Dirk Meyer. She is looking forward to the Minnesota premiere of Courageous Lights with the DSSO.

“James has a very special gift for communicating, and he does so in a powerful way through his music! We worked closely on the commission and the thematic material used in each movement. We had a lengthy discussion about the impact of three phenomenal women: Amanda Gorman, Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird/Gertrude Bonnin) and Malala Yousafzai, Gamerl said.

She explained, “All three women were so inspiring to me as each faced adversity, prejudice, and oppression. Yet each persisted and were able to enact long lasting change . . .their lights light the path to a brighter future for us all.”

She acknowledges the difficulties of this score. “This piece is a marathon, a tour de force! It is extremely technically challenging and written largely in the highest tessitura of the English horn. James writes beautifully intricate music that is equally difficult for the orchestra due to the intricacy of his harmonic language. It is a joy to put together but coordinating and balancing with the solo English horn is a challenge!”

She concluded, “As I approach my 20th season with the DSSO, I find myself incredibly grateful to my wonderful colleagues, the warmth of Duluthians, and how very welcome I feel in the community. Finally, the artistry and vision of Music Director, Dirk Meyer. He was the true driving force behind the Courageous Lights commission! “

Information On Masterworks Concert 2   Courageous Lights
Darci Gamerl, oboe soloist
October 26, 7:00 pm. DECC Symphony Hall

The DSSO’s Masterworks Concert 2 will include classics of the repertoire, alongside a brand-new work, written for DSSO oboist, Darci Gamerl. Composer James Lee III has been a rising star over the past few years, with performances by major symphony orchestras around the globe. The DSSO co-commissioned him to write Courageous Lights, a concerto for orchestra and English Horn, celebrating three outstanding female social activists. This performance marks the Midwest premiere of Courageous Lights.

The orchestra will frame this inspiring new work with two symphonies: the short, yet sparkling Paris Symphony (No. 31) by Mozart, and Felix Mendelssohn’s dramatic Symphony No.1, written when he was just 15 years of age.

Tickets at dsso.com or call or visit the DECC Ticket Office - 350 Harbor Drive (Box Office Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm) 218-727-4344 (check out the auditorium seating chart at www.decc.org).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UMD’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” Entertains as a Silly Comedy and a Barbed Satire
At Marshall Performing Arts Center - Now-Oct 19. 

UMD opened its theatrical season on Friday night with the Oscar Wilde Victorian classic “The Importance of Being Earnest” that Wilde described as a “trivial comedy for serious people.” The audience connected with both the show’s trivialities in plot and its more serious satirical themes.

A visual feast, the show’s designers, (a mix of theater department staff and students), recreated the prim and proper Victorian world to a “tea.” Scenic designer Curtis Phillips and assistant designers Sheridan Cornett and Emma Wylie had the challenging task of bringing three different settings to life.

From a frou frou parlor with its fussy furniture and gilt wall paper, to a lovely Victorian garden with its explosion of flowers, and back to an interior of a staid library filled with knick knacks and volumes, each setting brought the audience back to the waning years of the Victorian period.

Scene changes were accomplished with costumed servants helping to establish the “upstairs/downstairs” aspect of the story. The change between acts two and three was beautifully choreographed, eliminating the need for a second intermission.

Costume designers Jennika Bunney and assistant Morgan Ryals did a magnificent job with their exquisite period costumes, all helping to establish character and bring even more color and life to the stage.

“Earnest’s” frivolous plot of mistaken identities and preposterous coincidences is the Victorian equivalent of a romantic comedy. It is, however, decidedly more sophisticated, filled with Wilde’s witty epigrams and bon mots, all intended to slam the hypocrisies of the snobbish society he satirizes.

Two young dandies, John Worthing (Luke Hiland) and Algernon Moncrieff (Luke Pfluger), live their idle lives devouring cucumber sandwiches and muffins and endlessly discussing their vacuous plans to do as little as possible.

Hiland and Pfluger struggle a bit in the first act with their accents, their diction, and their pacing but as the wildness of the improbable story develops, they find their footing and their comic timing, and are more playful with their characters.

The show kicks into gear with the arrival of the show’s three delightfully comic-leading women. Gwendolen Fairfax (Abby Aune) and Cecily Cardew (Maggie Clark) are the “love” interests of Worthy and Moncrieff. Aune and Clark are deliciously funny with their feigned sisterhood and later outright hostility towards each other.

Both actresses clearly display that their Victorian doll house lives are empty, filled with little more than pretty clothes, tea cake, and diary writing about nothing.

At the satirical heart of the show is the indomitable Lady Bracknell (Elsa Persson), the equivalent in “Downton Abbey” to the Dowager Countess Lucy Grantham. Persson skillfully makes every line a decided pronouncement of Oscar Wilde’s most pointed criticisms of Victorian life.

Persson is an undeniable presence as Bracknell, with her ramrod straight posture, stiff, dark satin dresses, and hilarious variations of pitch and tone. Her classic lines such as “Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that,” were a hit with an appreciative opening night audience.

Because of the illness of an actress, the part of the governess Miss Prism was played by understudy Kay Boster whose projection was so low that she was often difficult to hear. Prism has some of the funniest lines and important plot points in the denouement some of which were unfortunately lost.

Director Rebecca Katz Harwood chose to let Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece speak for itself and not to take major liberties with it as some modern day interpretations of the play do.

Katz Harwood’s straightforward approach allows her cast to immerse themselves completely into the Victorian milieu and have Wilde’s words be the heart and soul of her production.

For those who have never read or seen the show, UMD’s production provides a wonderful introduction to Oscar Wilde, the infamous playwright who lived a life himself that broke all societal norms, leading to this play being closed and leaving Wilde broken, ill, and imprisoned.

His masterpiece shows that not so far beneath the surface, hypocrisies and close-mindedness abound, some of which modern society is still sadly clinging. This as a central theme in “Earnest” is also epitomized in his quote from “The Picture of Dorian Grey.”

“And what sort of lives do these people, who pose as being moral, lead themselves? My dear fellow, you forget that we are in the native land of the hypocrite.”

UMD Theatre Presents
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Rebecca Katz Harwood

Oct 11, 12 | 7:30 pm
Oct 13 | 2:00 pm
Oct 16, 17, 18| 7:30 PM
Oct 19, 2024 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Marshall Performing Arts Center - Mainstage Theatre
Reserved seating at tickets.umn.edu or 218-726-8561

*UMD Student ticket options: $10 advance tickets (60% discount on regular ticket prices) OR FREE rush tickets the night of the performance with a valid UMD student ID. UMD students are encouraged to arrive for rush 30 minutes before curtain. Subject to availability. Online ticket sales end 90 minutes prior to each performance. After that time, call or stop by the box office for ticket availability and information.

For a profile of Elsa Persson, Lady Bracknell in this production, go to destinationduluth.org

Next Up for UMD Theatre and Dance
“Dance Works ‘24” November 22-24, 2024
Marshall Performing Arts Center - Mainstage Theatre
Reserved seating
For tickets, call the box office at 218-725-8561 of go to tickets.umn.edu

Prepare to be swept away by the dynamic energy and diverse performances of UMD Theatre's DanceWorks '24, gracing the stage this November. Embracing the diversity of choreographic voices, UMD dance artists unite to create a mesmerizing showcase of creativity and connection. Join us at the Marshall Performing Arts Center for an unforgettable celebration of dance and unity.

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About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Lakes Outdoor Summit - Three Days of Learning, Networking, and Adventuring

October 24^th – 26^th, 2024: Right Here in Duluth

By Andrea Busche

Here in Duluth, we love our outdoor adventures. And, no matter what activities you’re into, our four wonderful seasons ensure options for everyone.

The 2024 Great Lakes Outdoor Summit – featuring 3 days of learning, networking, and adventuring - is a celebration of year-round outdoor recreation in Duluth. The Summit takes place October 24 – 26, 2024, and will offer training sessions, a live podcast recording, field trips, and more.

But above all, it’s an opportunity to connect and collaborate, said Hansi Johnson, one of the Summit’s organizers. “It’s really a celebration of the outdoors and outdoor folks,” he noted. “I’ve heard the Summit be compared to a large campfire,” he added with a chuckle.

DAOA

The Summit is being presented by a group called the Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance (DAOA). This collaborative group started in 2010 when various individuals and organizations gathered to see how the local outdoor recreation community could better represent the existing outdoor recreation opportunities in the region.

The original product of these meetings was the creation of the “Outdoor Duluth Recreation Map” that is currently printed and distributed by the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.

Over time, DAOA started to meet more regularly and eventually became an alliance that coalesced around helping the City of Duluth envision, plan and eventually create the public support to fund the St. Louis River Corridor Initiative in 2016.

DAOA partners/participants:

DAOA is a collaborative effort between many local non-profits, outdoor recreation advocates, educators, adventurers, and land managers. The organizations and businesses that are involved and currently support DAOA include:

• COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gummee Shores)
• DCC (Duluth Climbers Coalition)
• DEVO (Duluth Youth MTB)
• Northland Paddlers Alliance
• Superior Hiking Trail Association
• Minnesota Land Trust
• Hartley Nature Center
• DuFTA (Duluth Foot Trails Alliance)
• Northern Minnesota Track Club
• Duluth Rowing Association
• DXC (Duluth Cross Country Ski Club)
• Chester Bowl Improvement 
• St. Louis River Alliance
• Duluth Area Horse Trail Alliance
• Duluth Drifttoppers Snowmobile Club
• Team River Runner
• City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Department
• City of Superior Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department 

• Ski Hut
• Continental Ski and Bike
• Spirit Mountain
• Duluth Pack 
• Frost River
• Trailfitters
• ROMP Bags
• Bent Paddle Brewing 
• Ursa Minor Brewing
• Duluth Coffee Company
• Amity Coffee Company 
• Earth Rider Brewing
• Lake Superior Brewing
• Warrior Brewing 
• Dovetail Café

Key stakeholders of DAOA meet on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 6 pm at Bent Paddle. Johnson, who works as Engagement Director for the Minnesota Land Trust, said, “We get together every month to collaborate and find out where there are shared resources. And, all groups who sit at the table of DAOA have an equal say.”

The DAOA has a variety of sub-committees tasked with addressing different challenges. For instance, there is an Adventure Gap Group, which works toward achieving outdoor accessibility for youth.

There is a Trail Etiquette Group. This committee discusses how different user groups can safely and effectively share trails, such as snowshoers and skiers.

And, there is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group, who work to make sure that Duluth’s outdoor scene is more welcoming to all.

DAOA is also tasked with another giant project: planning and presenting the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit.

Great Lakes Outdoor Summit

This year will mark the 5^th annual Summit, but just the second time it has offered opportunities for the general public to enjoy events related to the Summit, such as the podcast. The 2024 Summit’s schedule is as follows:

Thursday, October 24^th:

Training and Podcast

CPR/First Aid/AED Training will be provided from 1 - 3 pm at the Holiday Inn Downtown Duluth. Space is limited, and therefore, pre-registration is required.

Then, from 5 – 8 pm, attendees can attend a happy hour, followed by a live recording of The Dirtbag Diaries podcast at Duluth’s West Theater. Fitz Cahall, creator of this influential podcast, will moderate and record outdoor stories from national icons including Indigenous activist and Patagonia-sponsored skier, Connor Ryan; professional adaptive athlete Quinn Brett; and world-renowned musician Alan Sparhawk, of the band Low.

Friday, October 25^th:

Summit Sessions

The full-day conference will be held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) located at 350 Harbor Drive. Registration, keynote speaker commentary, and all sessions will take place in the Harbor Side Ballroom and Horizon Rooms.

The Summit kicks off with remarks from keynote speaker, Connor Ryan - an Indigenous activist and filmmaker, passionate skier, and Patagonia-sponsored athlete. Ryan has devoted his life and platform to rediscovering how traditional Indigenous culture and ecological knowledge can shape our relationship to the lands. He will be sharing his story, experiences, and perspective on how we can seek collective paths to a better future.

Then, attendees can choose from 12 different hour-long sessions, which all revolve around outdoor recreation, on topics like adaptive recreation, climate change, building a BIPOC-friendly outdoor community, and more.

“There will be lots of different viewpoints from many different people’s experiences,” Johnson said of the sessions. “We really tried to plan a good, eclectic mix.”

Saturday, October 26^th:

Field Trips!

Attendees can choose from a full menu of Duluth field trips, including mountain biking, hiking, a train ride, and more. Additionally, a Leave No Trace certification course will be offered on Saturday.

Attendees and Tickets

As noted, the Summit is open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend. “It’s really geared for people who are interested in how they can be more engaged in speaking up for the outdoors in their own communities,” Johnson said.

Last year, 200 people attended the Summit. Johnson and his team hope to surpass their attendance numbers from last year, and have a goal of 400 attendees.

Many local residents are expected to attend. Last year, attendees also traveled from places like Minneapolis, Madison, Chicago, North Dakota, and South Dakota to participate in the Summit.

Please click here for info and tickets.

Duluth

Johnson is passionate about Duluth, and is a huge advocate for outdoor recreation in our city. Although he is originally from Winona, Minnesota, Duluth is now his home.

“I’ve lived all over the country, and have always returned to Duluth,” he said. “I love the climate. I love the four seasons, and the ability to be multi-modal when it comes to outdoor recreation.

“The amount of open, natural space we have in our city is so important and unusual for our population size,” he added. “Because of that, we have things like these interconnected trail systems which allow us the ability to connect the city as a whole.”

For these reasons and many more, Johnson feels Duluth is the best place to host the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit. “In Duluth, we kind of have it all,” he said. “We’re really seeing our outdoor recreational culture grow.”

For more information and tickets, go to duluthaoa.org.

Please click here for tickets.

.

____________________________________________________________________

Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

DD ARTIST PROFILE SERIES - Kate Horvath plays Lady Macbeth in the upcoming “Macbeth: A Dinner Party’ at Zeitgeist October 20-November 4

One of the main through lines of Kate Horvath’s life has been the arts. Whether directing, acting, teaching, mentoring, or helping others find talent for their businesses, she is an amazing artist who has generously shared her gifts with so many.

As she related, “The arts are essential to life and to understanding the world around us. They are a tool to unlock your own point of view and meet others in experiences unlike your own. They are an unparalleled tool to create community and find meaning and to define our values . . .”

It All Started with Reading

“Reading sparked my interest in everything,” said Kate. “I was a feral reader,  voraciously consuming stuff way beyond my age and experience and with a vocabulary that exceeded my ability to pronounce it correctly.”

“I started reading at age two, I was pouring through Shakespeare by the second grade. My parents encouraged reading, and we read a lot as a family. No books were off-limits.”

Then Came Theater

Her aunt and uncle started taking Kate to see plays and introduced her to musicals. “The first play I saw was CATS on tour at the DECC when I was in the third grade - it literally changed my life.”

She added, “That is hilarious as folks don’t really think of CATS as life-changing but I had read the TS Eliot poems, and man, I was hooked. My Mom loved going to see shows so we occasionally started to drive down to Minneapolis to catch tours of things like Les Miz.”

Her love of theater continued through her elementary, middle school, and into her high school years as she found how much being onstage and in a theatrical environment defined who she was.

“In high school, I had an amazing Fulbright Exchange teacher from Scotland, who directed me as a 17-year-old Lady Macbeth. She also encouraged me to pursue theatre in college and professionally,” Kate noted. “Superior High School had theatre classes as an elective, and I had a chance to direct and learn a lot in that environment.”

To New York and Back Again

Kate attended UMD and graduated with a BFA in Acting, Musical Theatre. After graduation, she went to New York City to work in theater from 2001-2007. “I worked in many places - most notably The Pearl Theatre Company, on shows like “The Merchant of Venice,” and “The Rivals.” Other Off-Broadway, credits include “Hamlet” (twice), and “Macbeth,” (twice), and Nina in “The Seagull,” among others.

When she came back to Duluth in 2007, she became the Playhouse Education Director and then Director of Children's Theatre & Education Programs, and later Artistic Director of Children's Theatre & Education Programs. She calls her time with the Playhouse the most important part of her theatre career thus far.

“I was able to build something that we - students, families, and the community - could be incredibly proud of over the decade that followed. I am so grateful to have had that opportunity, to know and love those people, create community, and an astounding volume of successful programs, outreaches, and to have made work that outshone what anyone believed was possible,” she said.

Teaching Yoga, Finding Talent, and Building a Portfolio

After her time as an actor in NYC and her decade at the Duluth Playhouse, Kate earned her first Registered Yoga Teacher Certification and is in the process of earning her advanced certification. She is also pursuing study in that area of her life.

She also teaches yoga in the community (at Svalja, and Movo) and recently co-founded ROAM Yoga with longtime friend Miriam Hanson Rogotzke. ROAM Yoga will offer retreats, with their debut experience in Honduras in March of 2025.

Horvath left the Playhouse in 2017 to become an Executive Recruiter for Salmela, a Duluth-based firm specializing in talent acquisition for large companies, mostly in NYC.

“Cory and Kara Salmela created a place on their team where my skills, leadership, and work ethic are valued. My work with Salmela has a mentoring aspect I enjoy as we consult companies and organizations on talent strategy and individuals on career growth,” she explained.

In addition, she has been working on a long-term goal of real estate investment and has a small portfolio of properties, including short-term rentals that she has restored, one of which is a historic train car.

After taking time away from theatre, she is excited to return to the theatrical community with colleagues and friends. She directed “POTUS” at Zeitgeist last spring and will direct “The Ice Fishing Play” at UMD with the Theatre Department this winter. She is currently in rehearsal to play Lady Macbeth at Zeitgeist.

The Scottish Play

“Playing Lady Macbeth is a privilege, and I am delighted to be performing Shakespeare after so long. It's galvanizing and fun to play a powerful, commanding woman - especially one who was written in 1606. I love that the play is profoundly political.”

The production is an immersive dinner theater with a five-course Scottish meal. “It’s a very non-traditional rehearsal process and run - because we are performing and creating this experience on the “dark nights” of the Zeitgeist restaurant, so Sunday and Monday nights only,” explained Kate.

“We are doing something for the first time and it’s always exciting to problem-solve and get creative around new ideas.”

She added.” It’s interactive and in your face, we are right there. Macbeth is one of the action-hero (or anti-hero) plays of the Shakespeare cannon; there is hardly time to take a breath (for us) while the audience is eating and drinking. It’s a totally different context to enjoy the story and experience Shakespeare for Duluth audiences.”

An Artistic Place to Collaborate

Kate is happy to be back in Duluth and thankful to return to a place where she had many mentors over the years, including Kate Ufema, Ann Bergeron, and Tom Isbell at UMD, long-time director Liz Larson, who recently passed, and the students with whom she worked at the Playhouse.

“I love living here close to my family and in a community with many dear friends. Where else could I do so ridiculously many things?” Kate noted. “We are so lucky to have such a rich arts community, and it’s up to us to keep it that way. Also, this is home, Lake Superior is where it is at. “

Kate enjoys the collaborative process in all her arenas of life, including theatre. “It’s magic! It’s hard work to make theatre, for sure, but it is actual alchemy, and in the right context with the right people it is absolute joy.”

“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in Duluth,” Kate concluded, “Where else could I have grown so much in so many different ways as an artist, an educator, and an entrepreneur?”

Information on “Macbeth: A Dinner Party’
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert Lee
At Zeitgeist 222 East Superior Street Downtown Duluth
OCTOBER 20TH & 21ST, 27TH & 28TH
NOVEMBER 3RD & 4TH at 6 pm (Doors open at 5 pm)
Sundays and Mondays Price includes dinner and a show outside the black box.

The classic tragedy of Macbeth is told in the way the playwright intended, directly to the audience. A new immersive take on dinner and a show with food, drinks, and witches includes a five-course Scottish-themed meal with the price of admission, served throughout the performance.

Tickets at zeitgeistarts.com/theater

 

DD THEATRE REVIEW - WAIT UNTIL DARK
at Fitger's Spirit of the North Theatre, Oct 4-13

By Sheryl Jensen, Arts & Entertainment Editor

 “She is blind and she is alone . . .”

Boat Club Productions' suspenseful psychological thriller “Wait Until Dark” is perfect for Halloween month, when audiences are up for a night of “edge-of-their-seats” hair-raising tension and fear.

The original play by Frederick Knott, (who also wrote “Dial M for Murder”) was turned into an Alfred Hitchcock-style film in 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin.

Contemporary playwright Jeffrey Hatcher adapted the play, moving the setting from the 1960s back to the 1940s, providing a “film-noir “quality, streamlining the script, and tightening the pace to enhance the increasingly heart-pounding storytelling.

The central character, Susan, has been recently blinded in an accident. While still adapting to live in a sighted world, she has learned to navigate her small Greenwich Village apartment and the streets of New York.

Her life with photographer husband Sam has been happy until one night, when Sam is out of town, her quiet apartment is invaded by men who are ready to do anything to get something of theirs that they had planted in Sam’s suitcase on a train.

Rylee Kuberra, as Susan, is entirely believable as a blind woman. She demonstrates the strength and grit to survive the terror of murderous men. Employing her clever psychology, wits, and acute hearing to discover the villains’ intent, Kuberra beautifully plays the character as vulnerable at times without allowing herself to be a victim.

Paisley Kern's portrayal of Susan’s upstairs neighbor girl, Gloria, provides the needed comic relief as a bratty “tween. " At first, Gloria just enjoys taunting and playing tricks on Susan but eventually becomes her staunch ally.

Susan has another unexpected ally in Mike (Chris Ibarra), a soldier and Sam’s Army buddy from the war. Ibarra, solid in the role, is instantly a calming presence. He provides the sounding board and help she needs to figure out how to fight the increasingly combative nature of the men who show up out of nowhere and turn her life upside down.

While his appearances are brief and only at the beginning and end of the show, Patrick Carroll is sympathetic as Susan’s husband Sam, providing a “bookend” of sanity and normalcy to the story.

One of Susan’s nemeses is the fake policeman Carlino, played by Joe Meischsner. He is convincing, first as a seemingly sympathetic law officer and then ultimately as a dangerous threat to Susan.

The biggest threat to Susan’s life, however, is Roat (Keith Russell), the purely evil and psychopathic madman calling all the shots.

In character, Russell has the requisite look of a true cut-throat. At times, however, because of the rate, pitch, and lack of clarity in his diction, his lines got swallowed or muffled.

This was especially true in the opening scenes where the character is important to provide some of the much-needed exposition, which may have gotten lost to some in the audience. Occasionally over the top in some scenes, Russell decidedly brings it home, however, in the scariest one-on-one final confrontation with Susan.

Set and scenic designers Jeff Brown and Curtis Phillips masterfully recreate a basement apartment down to the last detail. The set serves at first as a secure haven for Susan and then turns into a nightmare battle zone for her as she tries to outmaneuver the bad guys.

Patrick M. Mulcahy Jr’s dramatic lighting design and all-important lighting “tricks” almost serve as another character. As light and darkness are a plot device, a symbol, and a thematic imperative, Mulcahy’s work is completely “instrumental” in making the show successful.

Director Michael Kraklio pulls out all the stops to tell this old-fashioned thriller, where not everyone is who they seem. He navigates the audience through the complexities of the plot to get them to the terror-filled climax, which elicits screams from the playgoers.

Audiences need to get ready for surprises, twists, turns, and a “killer” of an evening that will bring them back to an earlier style of theatrical thrillers rarely produced today. Producer Jason Vincent makes a bold choice with this show and offers something unique in the fall season of area theater.

Information on “Wait Until Dark”
By Frederick Knott, Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
October 4-13, 2024
October 4-5 7:30 pm | October 6 2:00 pm
October 10-12 7:30 pm | October 13 2:00 pm

Next up for Boat Club Productions is “Winter Wonderettes”
Written and Created by Roger Bean
“Winter Wonderettes continues the story of Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, who return to organize the Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. Set against the backdrop of the 1968 holiday season, the Wonderettes entertain the audience with classic seasonal tunes and holiday cheer. Winter Wonderettes captures the magic of the season, inviting audiences to experience the joy of the holidays with these long-time friends.”
December 5-15, 2024
December 5-7 7:30pm | December 8 2:00 pm
December 12-14 7:30pm | December 15 2:00pm

Spirit of the North Theatre, Fitger’s – 3rd Floor
Box Office Phone Number: (218) 623-7065
Tickets available online at boatclubproductions.com

Boat Club Productions will also announce their 2025 season soon, with the opportunity to buy season tickets.

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About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.

 

 

 

 

Melissa Dressely knows Minnesota’s North Shore.

Not only has she lived in Grand Marais for 20 years, but she is also the CEO of Do North Marketing, a company she created to help promote and elevate tourism on the North Shore. Destination Duluth is so fortunate to have her—and all the tourism and marketing expertise she brings—serving on its Board of Directors.

Reflecting on her career, Melissa shared, “I’ve always been a marketer at heart. I’m passionate about communication, collaboration, and bringing fresh ideas.

“I feel fortunate to work within our regional tourism community, helping drive economic impact while addressing the unique challenges the industry faces. It’s an honor to contribute to initiatives like Destination Duluth, which aligns perfectly with our goal to connect people to this incredible region.”

Do North Marketing

Do North Marketing is the driving force behind the North Shore Explorer MN content marketing platform, which is designed to inform and inspire visitors with the best experiences Duluth and the North Shore have to offer.

It includes the printed North Shore Explorer Guide, considered the official guide to the North Shore Scenic Drive. This 60-page, mile-by-mile guide covers all the top attractions from Duluth to the North Shore. With 100,000 copies distributed annually, it is Minnesota's most popular visitor guide.

North Shore Explorer MN also has an audience of 55,000+ on social media, as well as a content-driven website at NorthShoreExplorerMN.com. The platform provides original, engaging content to help visitors discover must-see destinations, activities, local businesses, and events, fostering a deeper connection to the region.

She succinctly explained that her goal in creating these resources is to “‘help you explore the best things to see and do in Duluth and the North Shore.”

North Shore/Duluth Collaboration

As Destination Duluth’s newest Board member (she began her role in August 2024), Dressely has terrific insight into how Duluth and the North Shore can collaborate on tourism. “First and foremost, Duluth is the gateway to the North Shore,” she said.

“You almost can’t visit one without the other. So, the opportunity to collaborate is incredible. Both have their assets, and visitors can create a unique northern getaway based around exploring the entire North Shore Scenic Drive - from Duluth to the Canadian Border.

“When I worked at Lutsen Mountains and other local resorts, people often asked questions about visiting Duluth,” she added. “I know the same thing happens in Duluth, too. So, the more we can have these two areas collaborating and promoting each other, the better it is for everyone.”

In her new role as a DD Board member, Dressely hopes to facilitate some of this much-needed cross-promotion, increasing tourism synergy.

Tourism Marketing + Entrepreneurship

Melissa Dressely has undeniably found her entrepreneurial sweet spot. "I always dreamed of owning my own business and doing consulting work," she shared. "I’m really excited about growing this business. The entrepreneurial journey is one of self-discovery - learning about yourself and overcoming perceived limitations. I feel like I’ve only just begun. There are so many more ideas I want to bring to life."

Operating mostly as a one-woman show from her home, Dressely has recently begun collaborating with a few freelancers to handle tasks such as social media management, video production, and blog writing. These partnerships allow her to focus on her passion - helping North Shore businesses thrive.

As the publisher of the North Shore Explorer Guide, Dressely travels regularly along the Shore, meeting with nearly every tourism-related business. This hands-on approach has helped her cultivate a deep understanding of the industry’s successes and unique challenges, especially within a seasonal economy.

"One of my favorite aspects of the business is distributing the North Shore Explorer Guides throughout the year and capturing social media content during my travels," she said. "I get to visit almost every business on the North Shore, build authentic relationships with the owners and staff, and make a real impact."

She added, “I also love taking pictures and videos to tell a story! Even as a child, I took pictures and maintained photo albums. It’s like my passion … my art. This has worked great on social media! As a result, our audience has gotten to know me as their local tour guide.”

Supported by advertisers, the North Shore Explorer Guide and its digital platform are key marketing tools for local businesses. "As a marketer, it’s incredibly rewarding to help businesses craft their messages, reach their target audience, and grow. Watching their success is one of the best parts of what I do,” Dressely noted.

In addition to managing the North Shore Explorer MN platform, Do North Marketing offers a suite of marketing services tailored to small businesses. These include Thought Partnerships for those seeking strategic marketing support, full-service content and social media management, email marketing, and more.

Background

Dressely was born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland, and became a “Minnesotan at heart” over New Year's of 1999 - her first time in Minnesota and also her first time on a frozen lake. She and her Minnesota-born husband, Gene, moved to Grand Marais in 2004

As a child, Dressely enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies and interests. She was part of a performance jump rope team, The Kangaroo Kids, from 3rd to 10th grade and played the violin from 1st to 12th grade. In high school, she played lacrosse, interned at a local cable station to learn TV production, and had part-time jobs at Wendy’s and her local tennis club.

Education is extremely important to Dressely. “I researched college myself, and at that time, I really liked communications and TV production,” she said. Ultimately, she earned a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications from Salisbury University in Maryland.

When the time came, she told her son, Ray, “You are going to college. You are applying for scholarships.” Dressely smiled and said, “Thankfully, he accepted his parents’ guidance and is now in his freshman year of college at St. Thomas. We are so proud and excited for him!”

Professional Rise

During the early years of their relationship, the Dresselys moved where Gene was needed professionally. This included stints in Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and finally, Grand Marais, Minnesota. Throughout all their moves, she held a variety of tourism marketing positions.

Before starting Do North Marketing in 2018, Melissa’s extensive experience in tourism marketing included roles at the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Lutsen Mountains, Eagle Ridge Resort, Odyssey Resorts, and the Best Western Superior Inn on the North Shore.

She also continues to retain various tourism-related affiliations. She is a member of the North Shore Scenic Drive Council and serves on the Board of the Lutsen Alpine Ski Club.

Personal

The Dressely’s son, Ray, recently graduated from Cook County High School. They also have a dog named Luna.

Over the years, their family has traveled extensively around the Northland to attend youth sports events for alpine skiing, football, and baseball. “People may not realize that when you live in Grand Marais, you must travel multiple hours one-way for youth sports!

“Some of our fondest memories are participating in youth alpine ski racing, both as part of the Minnesota High School League and with the local Northland Junior Race Series (NJRS),” Dressely recalled.

In her free time, Dressely enjoys exploring all the wonderful nooks and crannies the North Shore offers. “I love hiking with the dog. And I enjoy exploring places I’ve never been. One of my favorite activities is paddleboarding and swimming on the inland lakes of the Gunflint Trail.”

Dressely offered up plenty of helpful advice for North Shore explorers. “For first-timers, you absolutely must see Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park,” she said. “I also recommend seeing Cascade River Falls, exploring the town of Grand Marais, and the High Falls at Grand Portage State Park.”

To stay connected, follow NorthShoreExplorerMN on Facebook and Instagram, or visit northshoreexplorermn.com. Connect with Melissa Dressely on LinkedIn. 

____________________________________________________________________

Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

Destination Duluth Artist Profile Series – Elsa Persson, a senior at UMD, plays a leading role in the upcoming "The Importance of Being Earnest"

The UMD Theatre Department has had the long-standing reputation of being one of the most exceptional in the nation for their staff, their facility, their course work, their productions, and for the experiences they offer their students. Student Elsa Persson is in her final year of school at UMD for two degrees: a BFA in Acting and a BA in Music with a classical voice emphasis. She is excited to be playing one of the leads in UMD’s upcoming production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Elsa said, “I have been inspired by how many possibilities we have here at UMD from musical theatre to acting, to design, and production, and even other majors that relate to performance such as film studies and vocal performance.”

“Beyond a great education and training, I feel that UMD Theatre has broadened my world view in general, making me a more emotionally open and understanding person. I am very grateful for every experience I have had here,” she added.

At UMD, Elsa is also currently accent coaching for a production of Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene,” teaching actors New York, German, Italian, and Swedish accents. Besides her role as Lady Bracknell in “Earnest,” she will also be performing in “Street Scene” with the UMD Opera Studio and as Trinculo in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with UMD Theatre.

While in Duluth, she has also performed in two professional operas with Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), in “Cavalleria Rusticana” in 2023 and of “La Bohème” ”in 2024. “Duluth is truly lucky to have a company producing such spectacular operas, LOON cultivates a great community from artists near and far, that I have loved being a part of,” she explains.

Outside of the theatre, she loves to run, hike, cook, and play the violin and piano. As a first generation Swedish American, Elsa grew up with many connections to Swedish culture and language. She has visited her family in Sweden a few times and would like to become better at speaking the language by spending more time there.

“One of my favorite parts of living in Duluth is Lake Superior. It lifts my spirits every single time I visit it, which I make a point to do often.”

“Finding” the Character of Lady Bracknell

“Lady Bracknell is a powerful, fun, hilarious, and difficult role. One challenge of playing her is her age. I am 22 playing a woman who is around 60, which is difficult as an actor since I do not have the personal lived experience of that age,” Elsa said.

“She is also vastly different from me—she believes in strict, objective societal rules and class structure and finds safety in tradition. These parts of Lady Bracknell as a character can be difficult to tap into, but I find a lot of fun in making bold choices as an actor and finding both her ridiculousness and her queen-like power,” she added.

Persson has the role in common with her director and UMD’s Theatre Department head, Rebecca Katz Harwood, who played Lady Bracknell in a production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Duluth East High School. The two have shared ways to help Elsa “find” the character and the complexities of the character’s thoughts, motivations, and patterns of speaking.

Elsa noted, “Oscar Wilde wrote this play with the intention to satirize the Victorian English upper classes for their fixation on rules. I hope audiences leave the theatre taking the world less seriously!”

Information on “The Importance of Being Earnest”

By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Rebecca Katz Harwood
UMD Theatre Marshall Performing Arts Center October 11-19.
October 11,12,16,17,18 at 7:30 pm October 13 at 2 pm ASL performance October 19 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm
For tickets, call the box office at 218-725-8561 of go to tickets.umn.edu

From UMD Theatre: Our 2024-2025 season opens with Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Wilde’s self-described “trivial comedy for serious people” stylishly satirizes the upper class and romantic comedy tropes of his time while enchanting us with characters whose happy ending we cheer.