Finding joy and community in amateur holiday performances

From local Nutcrackers to community choir concerts, ‘tis the season for holiday shows put on by your friends and neighbors.

Across Minnesota, stages are booked with theater, dance and music performances — and many of the people in the spotlight aren’t even paid professionals.

They’re adults with day jobs who rehearse after dinner, all for the joy and community they find in amateur arts groups.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what tapping into your inner performing artist does for your own well-being and how these local productions enrich our communities.

Guests:

• G. Phillip Shoultz III is the associate artistic director of VocalEssence and works with several of the organization’s non-professional choruses. He also oversees music at Westwood Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, is an adjunct member of the music faculty at the University of St. Thomas and is artistic director of Sing Democracy 250, which is organizing choir performances next year in all 50 states to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

• Dylon Starr is the director of Disney’s “Frozen” at the Rochester Civic Theatre and has acted and directed in other community theaters in southeastern Minnesota. He’s also director of programming and music at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester.  

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.