Directed by Katy Allers
Involvement in theatre is a must for Cheryl Nilsen (Ouiser}. She has directed plays and musicals for high schools, Hazen Community Theatre, and Western Plains Children’s Chorus. Performing has been a highlight for her as she has played leading and supporting roles in shows for Hazen Community Theatre, Western Plains Opera, MSU Summer Theatre, and Mouse River Players. She frequently serves as a judge for regional one-act play contests and judges, tabulates, and schedules many speech meets each year. The arts are awesome!!!
Sarah Belfrage Honerman is the Director of Theatre at Minot State University. Belfrage Honerman grew up in the Midwest, originally from Sioux Falls, SD. Her youth was spent in a variety of ways, but none as significantly as her time in a darkened theatre. As a veteran educator, with over a decade of experience in the classroom and working in the theatre, Belfrage Honerman has developed specialized interests in the field. She has been hired to provide master classes and choreography in the craft of theatrical intimacy for varying schools and productions. This work and her continued development of innovative education led to Belfrage Honerman being awarded as a Leader of the Pack from Northern State University and a Woman of Courage and Vision from the Minnesota State University, Mankato President’s Commission on the Status of Women. She is also a proud associate member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers union, a distinction that she earned as the Region V 2021 SDC Fellow from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Belfrage Honerman’s interest and engagement in learning more about intimacy education led to her being awarded the first ever Intimacy Education Fellowship from Theatrical Intimacy Education.
Brittany Montez is a regular volunteer at Mouse River Players who dedicates her time to many aspects of theatre, from acting to lighting design to directing. She is also the social media coordinator for the theatre and loves engaging with patrons and answering their questions! Brittany is a third-grade teacher with Minot Public Schools and enjoys having the opportunity to support her students as they learn and grow. When not teaching or volunteering with the theatre, Brittany is an avid baker, reader, and crocheter. She looks forward to helping with the rest of this exciting season, especially directing The Play That Goes Wrong this spring!
Kelly is so excited to be a part of Steel Magnolias- again. She played Ouiser the last time MRP did the show almost 20 years ago. She's been involved with MRP in just about every category of and on since the late 70s and was last seen on stage in Church Basement Ladies. Kelly is a proud grandma to three girls, and a retired RN who enjoys spending her winters in Arizona. She would like to thank her husband for always being willing to run lines with her and to Katy for giving her the opportunity to work with this AMAZING cast and Crew.
The theatre bug bit me junior year of high school. Quitting the swim team for a chorus girl role in Guys and Dolls was a life-altering decision decision and I've never regretted it. To be Truvy in Steel Magnolias? A dream come true.
I am originally from Scobey, MT and will be entering my fifth year at Minot State completing my bachelor’s degree in Music Education. I am active in many musical ensembles as well as theatrical productions. Some recent roles include Esmeralda in the MSU Theatre and Western Plains Opera production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as MSU Summer Theatre’s production of Disaster?! The Musical as Marianne. This is my first show with MRP, and I could not be more excited!
Katy is the Director of TRIO Student Support Services at Minot State University and is currently working towards a theatre minor. Steel Magnolias holds a special place in her heart as she was in the production almost 20 years ago. She is honored to have the opportunity to direct this show. After many years on stage she is enjoying being in front of the stage directing. She has previously directed Little Women at Mouse River players and The Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon and Suite Surrender at Minot State University. Katy has an amazing husband, Jimmy, who supports her in all of her crazy adventures and two wonderful kids who grew up at Mouse River Players.
Seth is a high school English educator at Minot North High School. In addition to teaching, he spends his free time reading, collecting, and preserving comic books. Seth is a free-lance theatre artist working as a director, actor, and scenic designer. Some of his favorite credits are The 39 Steps, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and In the Next Room. Seth is a proud associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers union. He is thrilled to continue creating theatre with his wife and extended theatre family.
Connor graduated at Minot State University with a BA in Theatre Arts in 2017. He is a longtime volunteer at Mouse River Players, starting in the 2016-2017 season with his role as Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace. Since then, he has been involved in numerous productions and events for MRP, usually onstage but occasionally behind the scenes. Some of his favorites include Puffs, Goosebumps: The Musical, and The Diary of Anne Frank. This is his first time as a stage manager for MRP, with hopes to eventually direct. Outside of the theatre, Connor enjoys spending time hanging out with his friends and his new cat, Sebastian "Gizmo", as well as playing video games, surfing the web, and medically getting better.
