SHS Theatre

Fall Play 2026
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Directed by John Ronyak and Ryan Olson

Performances: 
Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 PM
Friday, October 30 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 P

Children's Theatre
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems, Mr Warburton & Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Kelli Killmer

Performances:
November 21 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
November 22 at 2:00 PM

One-Act Play 2027
The Show by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Directed by Kelli Killmer

Public Performances:
January 19 at 7:00 PM
January 22 at 7:00 PM

Competition Dates:
January 21 - Subsection 8AA South Tournament at Monticello High School
January 28 - Section 8AA Tournament at Moorhead High School
February 4 & 5 - State Festival at St Catherine's University - St Paul

 

Spring Musical 
Hadestown: Teen Edition by Anais Mitchell
Directed by Cassi Betker

Performances:
April 22 at 7:00 PM
April 23 at 7:00 PM
April 24 at 2:00 and 7:00 PM

FALL PLAY
Clue 
by Lynn, Rustin, Foster, Price, & Holland
Directed by John Ronyak
Assistant Direction by Autumn Fosteson
Technical Direction by Jim Christenson
Photos by Angie Heckman

ONE ACT PLAY
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 
adapted by Dwayne Hartford; based on the book by Kate DiCamillo
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Acting Coaching by Joey Siemieniak
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Photos by Angie Heckman

SPRING MUSICAL
Into the Woods 
by James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Assistant Direction & Choreography by Megan Seamans
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Accompaniment by Sean Jacobson
Pit Conducting by Brandon Nordhues
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Davey Nyssen
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Props by Kelli Killmer
Milky White Design & Construction by Tom Kuhn
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Steve Sanders
Photos by Angie Heckman

FALL PLAY
Pygmalion
by George Bernard Shaw
Directed by John Ronyak
Technical Direction by Jim Christenson
Photos by Angie Heckman

ONE ACT PLAY
The Girl in the White Pinafore
by Jiggs Burgess
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Photos by Angie Heckman

SPRING MUSICAL
Big Fish 
by John August & Andrew Lippa
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Accompaniment & Pit Conducting by Brandon Nordhues
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Mariah Athas
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Props by Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Aaron Athas
Photos by Angie Heckman
 

2021-2022

Game of Tiaras
by Don Zolidis
Directed by John Ronyak
Technical Direction by Jim Christenson
Photos by Angie Heckman

The Murder of Lidice
by Edna St. Vincent Millay (arr. by Lois O. Meyer)
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Photos by Angie Heckman

Tuck Everlasting 
by Shear, Federle, Miller, & Tysen
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Accompaniment & Pit Conducting by Brandon Nordhues
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Aimee Miron
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Aaron Athas
Photos by Angie Heckman

2020-2021

Radium Girls
by D.W. Gregory
Directed by John Ronyak
Technical Direction by Jim Christenson
Photos by Angie Heckman

2021 Winter Theatre Festival 
Directed by Kelli Killmer
A Zoom Newscast by Ethan Neid (class of '21)
Student Directed by Ethan Neid
The Bachelorettes' Bachelor by Brooke Eibensteiner (class of '21)
Bunco Night at the End of the World by Meg Mechelke (class of '19)
A Virtual Whodunnit by Flip Kobler & Cindy Marcus
Student Directed by Kate Manning
Photos by Angie Heckman

The Addams Family: Concert Version
by Brickman, Elice, & Lippa
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Accompaniment by Brandon Nordhues
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Chris Garman & Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Aaron Athas
Student Directed by Kate Manning
Photos by Angie Heckman

2019-2020

A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed by John Ronyak
Technical Direction by Jim Christenson
Photos by Angie Heckman

Princess Party Smackdown
by Don Zolidis
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Photos by Angie Heckman

Little Shop of Horrors
by Howard Ashman & Alan Menken
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Accompaniment by Brandon Nordhues
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Chris Garman
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Dave Lumley
Student Directed by Annika Orjansen
(canceled due to COVID)

2018-2019

The Butler Did It
by Tim Kelly
Directed by John Ronyak
Technical Direction by Sam Deans
Photos by Angie Heckman

Sorry, Wrong Number
by Lucille Fletcher
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Photos by Tarah Rosendahl

The Music Man
by Meredith Willson
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Accompaniment by Brandon Nordhues
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Kelli Killmer
Costumes by Chris Garman & Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Dave Lumley
Student Directed by Megan Mechelke
Photos by Angie Heckman

2017-2018

Antigone
by Jean Anouilh
Directed by John Ronyak
Photos by Angie Heckman

Four Little Words
by Edward Finnegan
Directed by Aimee Miron
Photos by Hannah Bous

Hello! My Baby
by Cheri Steinkellner
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Joanna Richards
Accompaniment by Stephen Kuenbelbeck
Choreography by Megan Seamans
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Chris Garman & Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Sound Design by Dave Lumley
Student Directed by Megan Mechelke
Photos by Angie Heckman

2016-2017

The Mouse That Roared 
by Christopher Sergel
Directed by John Ronyak
Photos by Hannah Bous

Trifles
by Susan Glaspell
Directed by Aimee Miron
Student Directed by Caroline Gruebele
Photos by Hannah Bous

West Side Story 
by Laurents, Bernstein, Robbins, & Sondheim
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Brandon Nordues
Accompaniment by Stephen Kuebelbeck
Choreography by Samathan Collen
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Chris Garman & Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Fight Choreography by Aimee and Joel Miron
Student Directed by Megan Mechelke
Photos by Angie Heckman

2015-2016

Flowers for Algernon 
by Daniel Keyes
Directed by John Ronyak
Photos

Almost, Maine
by John Cariani
Directed by Grant Strom
Photos

The Drowsy Chaperone
by Martin, McKellar, Lambert, and Morrison
Directed by Kelli Killmer
Musical Direction by Brandon Nordhues
Accompaniment by Grant Strom
Choreography by Samantha Collen
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Cindy Freet
Costumes by Kelli Killmer
Lighting Design by Ryan Hiltner
Photos by Hannah Bous
Photos by Angie Heckman

2014-2015

The Matchmaker
by Thornton Wilder
Directed by John Ronyak

How to Succeed In High School Without Really Trying
by Jonathan Rand
Directed by Taylor Hamilton

Into the Woods
by James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim
Directed and Choreographed by Kelli Killmer
Produced by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction and Accompaniment by Maureen Putnam
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Julia Olson
Costumes by Aimee Miron
Lighting Design by Jon Christensen
Photos by Hannah Bous
Photos by Angie Heckman

2013-2014

The Crucible 
by Arthur Miller
Directed by John Ronyak

A Small Wooden Horse
by Ev Miller

Once Upon a Mattress
by Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Brandon Nordhues
Assistant Director and Choreography by Kelli Killmer
Accompanists Sean Jacobsen & Maureen Putnam
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Julia Olson
Costumes by Aimee Miron
Lighting Design by Jon Christenson
Photos

2012-2013

You Can't Take It With You
by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Directed by John Ronyak

A World Without Memory
by Seth Kramer 

Fiddler on the Roof 
by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Brandon Nordhues
Assistant Director and Choreography by Kelli Killmer
Accompanist Will White
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Invincible Costume
Lighting Design by Jon Christenson
Photos by CK Photography

2011-2012

Our Town 
by Thornton Wilder
Directed by John Ronyak

Mr. Flannery's Ocean 
by Lewis J. Carlino

Little Shop of Horrors
by Howard Ashman & Alan Menken
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Kelli Killmer
Choreography by Allison Feigh
Accompanist Kim Schmitt
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Set Painting by Avalon Olson
Costumes by Kelli Killmer and Tom Kuhn
Lighting Design by John Christenson
Photos

2010-2011

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Directed by John Ronyak

The Pajama Game 
by Abbott, Bissell, Adler, & Ross
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Kelli Killmer
Accompanist Kim Schmitt
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Costumes by Invincible Costume
Photos

2009-2010

Arsenic and Old Lace 
by Joseph Kesselring
Directed by John Ronyak

Orphan Train

Once on This Island 
by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Kelli Killmer
Acting Coaching by Tom Speckhard
Choreography by Allison Feigh
Accompanist Brandon Nordhues
Technical Direction by Tracey Watkin
Costumes by Invincible Costume

2008-2009

A Midsummer Night's Dream 
by William Shakespeare
Directed by John Ronyak

The Katrina Project
by Michael Marks

Guys and Dolls
by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling, & Abe Burrows
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Photos

2007-2008

The Butler Did It 
by Tim Kelly
Directed by John Ronyak

After School Special

Bye, Bye Birdie
by Charles Strouse & Lee Adams
Directed by Tom Kuhn

2006-2007

The Boy Friend 
by Sandy Wilson
Directed by John Ronyak

The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
Directed by John Ronyak

2005-2006

Oliver! 
by Lionel Bart
Directed by John Ronyak & Rick Cicharz

Loving Lives
by Alan Haehnel
Directed by John Ronyak

2004-2005

The Miracle Worker
by William Gibson
Directed by John Ronyak

Murder Well Rehearsed
by John R. Carroll

Cinderella
by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Directed by John Ronyak

2003-2004

Jack the Ripper
Directed by John Ronyak

The Yellow Boat
by David Saar

Brigadoon
by Lerner & Loewe
Directed by John Ronyak

2002-2003

Les Miserables
by Schönberg, Boublil, Natel, & Kretzmer
Music Direction by Garrett Lathe

2001-2002

Guys and Dolls
by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling, & Abe Burrows

2000-2001

Mame
by Lawrence, Lee, & Herman
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1999-2000

Fame 
by De Silva, Fernandez, Margoshes, & Levy
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1998-1999

The Dining Room
by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Trina Moore

Softie
Directed by Anne Hudspeth

West Side Story 
by Laurents, Bernstein, Robbins, & Sondheim 
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1997-1998

You Can't Take It With You
by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Directed by Trina Moore

I Know I Saw Gypsies
by Tom Erhard
Directed by Trina Moore

Fiddler on the Roof 
by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1996-1997
 

Flowers for Algernon 
by Daniel Keyes
Directed by Rick Cicharz and Trina Moore

Who
by Michael Scanlan
Directed by Trina Moore

Once Upon a Mattress
by Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1995-1996

Krazy Kamp
by Tim Kelly

The Pajama Game 
by Abbott, Bissell, Adler, & Ross
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1994-1995

Get Smart
by Christopher Sergel

Oklahoma
by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Directed by Rick Cicharz
Musical Direction by Bobbie Foote
Choreography by Lynda Pullins

1993-1994

Black Comedy
by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Tom Kuhn

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
by Rupert Holmes
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Bobbi Foote

 1992-1993
 

Atalanta
Directed by Tom Kuhn

Leader of the Pack
by Anne Beatts
Directed by Tom Kuhn
Musical Direction by Bobbi Foote

Brandon Nordhues

Choir Director & Spring Musical Accompanist/Pit Conductor

One of the things Brandon enjoys about directing choir is watching the students grow over their time at SHS. He is constantly inspired by the students and looks forward to coming to school every day to co-create with them.

Brandon graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance and earned his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas. He has been a part of the Sartell Music Department for the past thirteen years.

Outside of teaching choir, Brandon enjoys being a dog dad, cycling, volleyball, traveling, reading, and home improvements. He also loves musical theatre - watching it, acting, directing, or accompanying.

Kelli Killmer

Director: Theatre for Young Audiences • One-Act Play • 

Kelli’s passion for directing high school theatre comes from her strong belief that educational theatre is one of the most transformative theatre experiences. She believes that students deserves a space where they can be themselves, take creative risks, and be celebrated. 

Kelli earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Theatre from Concordia College-Moorhead. She has worked in the district since 2010 when she started as the music director for the Spring Musical. She took over the role of director in 2015 and started directing the One-Act Play in 2018. Recent directing credits include: Into the Woods, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2024 - Section 8AA Champions), Elephant & Piggie's "We are in a Play!" (2023), Big Fish (2023), The Girl in the White Pinafore (2023), and Tuck Everlasting (2022). She also works as an Evaluator for the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Education program. 

Outside of the theatre, Kelli can be found knitting, reading, cooking, spending time with her family, singing, doing yoga, playing board games, and watching anything that makes her laugh. 

John Ronyak

Director: Fall Play

As a director, John enjoys seeing the process of a performance from start to finish and also enjoys seeing the students exhibit their excellence. Not only does he direct the fall play, but he also serves as the Head Speech Coach and is a full-time English teacher in the district.

He graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education and earned his Master of Science in English Education from St. Cloud State University. John has worked in the district for the past 19 years. Recent directing credits include: Clue (2023), Pygmalion (2022) , Game of Tiaras (2021), Radium Girls (2020), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2019).

His hobbies include faith, family (he has eight children and one grandson), and Dante. A fun fact about John is that he was once “Moo” the Wisconsin Lottery Cow!

Cassi Betker

Director: Spring Musical

Cassi has been involved in theatre since junior high, working both onstage and behind the scenes in acting, state management, set design, costuming, producing, and directing. For the past six years she has focused primarily on directing high school and community theatre productions, with particular passion for working with young performers.

Cassi is also the founder of a young adult community theatre program that offered a two-week Theatre Intensive for performers ages 16-23. Participants rehearsed, learned about theatre, and came together to produce a full show at the end of the two weeks. 

For the past 10 years Cassi has served as a Spotlight Education evaluator, traveling throughout Minnesota to watch high school students showcase their work and provide feedback on their productions. This experience has deepended her appreciation for the educational side of theatre and the talent and dedication of young performers. 

Cassi believes high school theatre is about more than putting on a great show. It is an opportunity for students to build confidence, find their voice, learn to collaborate, take creative risks, and discover the value of committing to something larger than themselves. Her goal as a director is to create a supportive and challenging environment where students can grow both on and off the stage.