Little Theatre of Owatonna is pleased to announce its 2021 Sarah Foreman Post-Secondary Scholarship winner, Kayla Mollenhauer, 2020 Owatonna High School graduate. Ms. Mollenhauer will receive a $1000 scholarship in honor of Foreman, a long-time LTO leader, who died in February 2006. Foreman’s work as director extended 30 years, directing 18 shows and serving 11 years on the LTO Board during three separate terms. Her extensive contribution and dedication to theatre in Owatonna is memorialized in this scholarship.

This scholarship recognizes and supports a Steele County resident whose studies and/or participation in theatre distinguish him/her and that offer promise of continued participation in community theatre. Mollenhauer will be a sophomore at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She is a Theatre Major with a concentration in musical theatre. She also plans to complete a Marketing Major with a communications concentration. “I chose ‘these majors’ because I want to work in a theatre one day. I want to learn how to run and market a business, so I am able to help run a theatre…,” Mollenhauer shared.

Her theatrical resume includes performances at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul; Paradise Community Theatre, Faribault and Owatonna High School. Mollenhauer also has technical experiences at Northwestern and Owatonna High School. She is currently the Technical Apprentice for the July production, Frumpled Fairy Tales, at Little Theatre of Owatonna. Kayla is being mentored by Technical Director Sandee Hardy-Hagen and Director Sarah Friesen. She comments, “I want to teach others how life-changing this art is. I want to show people how it has changed my life, and I want to help change their lives too.”

Comments lauding her leadership, enthusiasm, and hard work were noted in her recommendations. One stated that her best attribute was “Teachability – she’ll try anything and will work on her directions, notes, etc. outside of rehearsals! She leads both by her amazingly positive attitude and by her hard-working example.” Mollenhauer herself writes, “Theatre is the most heart-filling thing that I have had the privilege to be a part of and experience.”

Little Theatre of Owatonna plans to recognize Mollenhauer and the 2021 Veta Alexander Scholarship recipient, Sam Buegler, Owatonna, at Frumpled Fairy Tales opening night, Friday, July 16th. Little Theatre of Owatonna is committed to providing dramatic arts opportunities and incentives to citizens of Steele County. This scholarship is funded by donations and memorials. A portion of each show’s profits is directed to the scholarships offered by LTO through the generous supports of its patrons and the Owatonna community.