St. Francis High School (SFHS) teacher and SFHS Theatre Advisor Glenn Morehouse Olson was named the recipient of the 2025 Theater Educator Award from Spotlight Education. She will receive the award on June 9 when the students perform at the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Showcase on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre.
“To be recognized by Hennepin Arts Spotlight program, the state's leader in musical theatre opportunities for thousands of young artists around the state, is a huge honor,” Morehouse Olson said. “Even more meaningful is the fact that the award is based on recommendations made by my students, artistic staff, parents, and administrators right here in St. Francis.”
Morehouse Olson has been teaching in the district for 22 years and has helped build a highly-respected theatre program at SFHS. Both productions and individuals have excelled under her tutelage and many have gone on to continue their theatre careers after high school.
“I have always called our program ‘The Little Theatre that Could.’ We may not have all of the resources other programs have, but we have big imaginations and resourcefulness,” Morehouse Olson said. “Moreover, our focus is on building community, not just a good musical. Our student actors, dancers, musicians, and technicians thrive because we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to grow and learn through educational theatre experiences.”
This year alone SFHS Theatre has received numerous awards from Spotlight Education:
SFHS Theatre was selected for a Spotlight Education 2025 Community Engagement Award for its community outreach production (sensory friendly/no shush performance) of Seussical the Musical.
The play also earned multiple production and individual awards in the Spotlight Education Honors Program and will perform at the Spotlight Showcase on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre.
Broc Vierzba is one of the final six candidates for the Technical Theatre Career Pathway award. Along with the other finalists, Vierzba will use his skills in stage management, lighting, and audio to build Spotlight Showcase, while two of the candidates will be selected for the New York Experience.
“We support one another and the best moment for me as a director is to turn it all over to them,” Morehouse Olson said. “Heading into year 23 as an educator at SFHS, I still truly believe theatre has the power to change lives and enrich our community.”