Mary Stenson (Aunt Jenny) - Mary is excited to be in her first New Breath Production. She performed last year in Darryl Harrell's "When Momma Prayed" at the Mixed Blood Theatre, her first show since playing the very foolish Lenya in Neil Simon's "Fools" at Bethel College, and sparked her decision to really pursue acting. Outside of her day job, Mary has been singing Gospel music for the past 7 years in choirs, ensembles, and as a soloist, at churches and festivals. Unlike Aunt Jenny, Mary has loved working and laughing with everyone in this production!
Alex Sundvall (Nils) - Alex is a 6th grader at Susan Lindgren Intermediate School in St Louis Park. This is Alex’s second show with New Breath and is very excited to be working on this project. Previous roles have included being a chorus member in Oliver!, supernumerary in The Minnesota Opera’s The Grapes of Wrath and various featured solos in his school choir. Alex has enjoyed re-connecting with friends from last year’s production and meeting new friends during this production. “Break a leg everyone”! (or as his dad says “stub a toe”…..it’s less dangerous).
Luke Thomley (Youth Ensemble) - Luke is thrilled to be appearing for the first time with New Breath Productions. Luke has performed previously as Billie with Theater Mu, at the Ordway’s McKnight Theater, in their production of The Walleye Kid: The Musical, as Hansel with Top Hat Theatre, in their Minnesota Fringe Festival production of Hansel and Gretel, as Jake Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun and as Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk with the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage Theater, as well as with the Morris Park Players in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, in their productions of The Gondoliers and Princess Ida. Luke is in the Sixth Grade at the Minnesota Renaissance Montessori School in Anoka. In his free time, Luke skis, plays violin, is a junior black belt in Tae Kwan Do, and travels the world! During the past three years, Luke has been to New Orleans ten times, volunteering with the “River of Hope” Project serving the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Rita Tredal (Aunt Sigrid) - is excited to be in her first show with New Breath Productions. Rita is a company member at Old Gem Theater in New Richmond, WI and has performed with the Menomonie Theater Guild. She also has choreographed for High School Musical, Grease, and Bye Bye Birdie at various theaters. This fall you can catch her in Johnny Appleseed at Old Gem Theater.
Victoria Valencour (Mama) - is delighted to announce that I Remember Mama marks her New Breath Productions debut! She is thrilled to be part of such an amazing cast and crew. As a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Music, Victoria has performed in such opera productions as The Tales of Hoffman, Don Giovanni, La Boheme and The Turn of the Screw. Recently Victoria performed the role of “Mrs. Blushington” with the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. She hopes to continue to pursue her career in music within the Twin Cities and beyond . . .
Karen Solgard (Hardanger Fiddle Player) – This is her first production with New Breath. She has performed as a musician for Children’s Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, and many community theaters. She primarily performs solo concerts of Hardanger fiddle,
story-telling, and singing around the United States. Three CDs include
"Norse Fiddle at Home" "Norse Fiddle in Concert" and "Norse Fiddle at the Wedding" with an accompanying music book.
