Our Directors

Molding the Community Leaders of Tomorrow

We are committed to creating a safe environment where all students of all backgrounds and experiences feel safe, supported, and respected.

We are an inclusive program from the directors, cast, and crew to the parent volunteers and boosters.

There's a role for you here.

Eric Webster

Eric Webster
Director and Coach for High School and Middle School Theater programs

HIGH SCHOOL

  • Fall Play Director and Tech Director
  • Improv Coach
  • Spring Musical Co-Director and Tech Director
  • One-Act Director
  • Cougar Football Stadium Announcer

MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • Fall Play Co-Director and Tech Director
  • Improv Coach
  • Speech Coach
  • One-Act Coach
  • Spring Musical Co-Director and Tech Director
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Eric Webster has been performing on stage and on camera for over 20 years. Mr. Webster has been teaching at Centennial since 2003.

He has performed at the Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Parksquare Theater, the Playwrights' Center, Hennepin Stages, Hey City Theater, The Lowry Theater for Actors Theater of Minnesota, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Pioneer Place Theater, Minneapolis Theater Garage, Bloomington Civic Theater, Jerome Hill Theater, and Camp Cabaret Theater.

Other Highlights:

  • In 2010 he received the "Twin Cities Best Actor in a Musical 2010" for his role as Stone in "City of Angels".
  • Hosted, wrote, and produced "The Big Bad Movie" which earned an Emmy Nomination.
  • Hosted and wrote the national Television Show “Big Events” for DIRECTV
  • Former Guthrie Theater outward education teaching artist. "Schools on Stage" Teaching Artist.
  • Former History Theater Teaching Artist for "Seats to Stage" program.
  • Former Improv Club Teaching Artist for Avalon High School
  • Spent 6 seasons with the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club as the Master of Ceremonies/Announcer, and Director of Gameday Entertainment.
  • Extensive national and local voice-over work and hosting.
  • Was a talk show host on KFAN and KSTP AM
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Laurie Tangren
Middle School Fall Play Co-Director
Middle School Musical Co-Director
High School Costume Director

  • Has taught at Centennial since 1993.
  • Took over the theatre programming at the Middle School in 1999.
  • Has been involved in theatre since she was nine years old.
  • Minored in theatre with an undergraduate degree from
    Augsburg College.
  • Holds a MN teaching license for Speech/Theatre.
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Mrs. Tangren says:

"There is something magical about working in the theatre. Even on my toughest day I know when I walk through the doors to work with the theatre kids, it will be great. They really do fill my bucket. I am so grateful I have been able to work in the Centennial Theatre department for so many years. I love watching the students grow and gain confidence as they move through the program. It gives me great pride that so many kids find their home here with us in the theatre. Centennial Theatre is a place to belong and be accepted."

Mary Rudquist

Mary Rudquist
Middle School Musical Music Director
High School Musical Co-Director

Mary (Palazzolo) Rudquist has been the choral director at Centennial Middle school since 2013 and music director since 2018 (Mary Poppins, Singin’ In The Rain, Frozen).

She has also been director and co-director of the high school musical since 2020 (The Addams Family, The Dance, Into the Woods).

She studied music education at the University of Minnesota Duluth and performs professionally as an actor in the Twin Cities in many shows including Legally Blonde (Paulette), A New Brain ( Lisa), Footloose (Lulu Warnicker), and Company (Marta).

 

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Melissa Krieger
High School Musical Music Director
Centennial Theatre Beyond Director

Melissa has been involved with Centennial High School Theatre since 2015 as a director, musician, and Boosters member.

Melissa has a degree in vocal and instrumental music education from The University of Minnesota. She is a private lesson instructor, substitute music teacher, church music director, and freelance musician.

Melissa enjoys photography and traveling with her husband and three sons. Her favorite part of being involved with Centennial Theatre is getting to share her passion for music and theater with amazing, dedicated students.

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Kris Schmidt
Middle School and High School Play and Musical Set and Props Design and Director

Kris attended MCAD and has learned most of what she knows from working in the sign industry for 25+ years and trying new things that interest her. Kris has dabbled in woodworking, stained glass, sculpting, and various other hobbies. She learns best by doing and never stops learning. "Don't be afraid to try something new."

Theater was Kris's favorite part of high school and she is happy to be involved with this program at both schools. She enjoys the challenge of figuring out the prop and setlist on new shows and how to make them work with materials that aren't necessarily the standard. She loves seeing the end result of everyone's hard work when the whole show comes together.

2024 - 2025 Student Leadership

Centennial Theatre Student Co-Presidents

Riley Eckman & Olivia Hartmann

Centennial Theatre Student Crew Lead President

Annika McCarthy

Centennial Theatre Student Co-Vice Presidents

Rebeccah Dougherty & Kelsi Swenson

Centennial Theatre Student Board Members

Mae Ryan, AnnaMae Anderson, Caleb Bordewyk, Cassie Nuutinen, Michaela Bushnell

Centennial Theatre Student Improv Captains

Riley Eckman, Olivia Hartmann, Carter Day, & AnnaMae Anderson

Centennial Theatre Student Marketers

Addi Cramer & Riley Eckman