Dr. Paul J. Hustoles
paul.hustoles@pcae.k12.mn.us
Paul J. Hustoles, of Minnetonka, now retired, served as the chair of the Theater and Dance Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Artistic Director of Highland Summer Theatre for 35 years. His appointment to the Board, made by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, went into effect on July 22, 2020, and expires January 3, 2030. He was elected Board Vice Chair in 2025 and reelected in 2026.
Dr. Hustoles received his BFA from Wayne State University (Detroit), his MA from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. In 2020, he directed his 235th show (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), having produced over 625 shows, and he retired. He returned to MSU Mankato to direct Mamma Mia! in 2021 (during the height of COVID), and in 2023 directed Something Rotten! as his official farewell. Paul is the proud recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Gold Medallion of Excellence Award, being a past Chair for KCACTF Region 5, and his award-winning production of Mary Zimmermann’s The Odyssey was presented at the Kennedy Center in 2011. In 2012, he was named a Distinguished Faculty Scholar of Minnesota State Mankato. He also served the university as acting Vice President of University Advancement on two occasions.
Since retirement, he has worked for the Minnesota State Arts Board as both an Arts Board Artistic Evaluator and a Grants Reviewer for Creative Support for Organizations. He made his Minnesota Fringe Festival directing debut in 2024 and will direct again in 2026.
His beloved wife of 53 years is Mary Jo, and he has two children and two adult grandchildren.