Teachers' revue is show of generosity

Onstage at Park Center High School next week, a troupe of actors, dancers and singers will perform a reality-TV spoof about teams of contestants jetting on a race around the world. But what's more lasting than the super-silly plot line are the memories and friendships that participants -- almost all of whom are District 279 teachers, faculty, staff and residents -- are making with each year's production.

Starting April 10, the cast of the Wastebasket Revue will take to the stage for its 41st annual run of shows -- this year's is called "Are We There Yet?" -- to support $2,000 scholarships for 17 graduating seniors from the district's high schools. As many as 300 teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and support and maintenance staff, and even Superintendent Susan Hintz, will collaborate to put the show together.

This year, like many others, the Wastebasket Revue offers a chance for employees of the Osseo School District to bond, to laugh, to kindle or rekindle friendships and to discuss -- or not discuss -- looming budget cuts, school closings and an uncertain future.

"We don't have many lead characters," said co-director Gerri Wilson, a retired sixth-grade teacher who comes back to help run the show, along with Area Learning Center English teacher Ross Young and Osseo High School business education teacher Jill Kellar. "One is pretty likely to lose her job this year. This is a good place for her to be in the face of that. This has happened through the years."

The group nodded toward Dan Dorff, a second-year special education paraprofessional at Edgewood Elementary School, which is slated to close next year.

Dorff shrugged.

"I made the decision to do the show and trust it will be OK," he said.

"I don't think you can ignore it," Young said. "Everybody knows there will be some tough cuts. Mrs. Hintz was here the other day, and she was asking about how everyone is doing."

Being around all the silliness has got to help.

This year's show, which the writers began to create at a pool party last summer, will include musical and comedy sketches and feature dancing penguins, ice fishermen, a trio of Bridezillas, and Ole and Lena, among others.

And participants make a point to say that despite the hours invested in writing, rehearsing, and creating costumes and sets, they are proud of the fact that they're in the classroom every day, without missing a beat. And then they return to the show after school.

"I have always been able to come here and get a second wind or a third wind," said Tom Greve, a special education teacher at Edinbrook Elementary School.

Community connections

Running beneath participants' talk about their goofy characters and irreverent plot lines is a true appreciation for the connections they've made, not just teacher-teacher, but with the larger community.

Much of the audience is returning from previous years. They can count on other educators, their families and the Cameo Club, made up of former Ms. Senior Minnesota winners, who come opening night in their tiaras and sashes.

And the students come with their own families.

"I remember last year, seeing students in the audience with their teachers onstage," Dorff said. "It creates a more intimate connection between the staff and the kids."

During each of the seven performances, a different contingent of scholarship winners is called to the stage for an introduction to the rest of the community.

"That's great, because then everyone here gets to see them and to know that's why where here, for the kids," said Shannon Loidolt, a special education teacher at Maple Grove High School. "We're just glad we can help the kids."

Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409