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THEATER DEPARTMENT PRESENTS “CLASSIC PERPICH SENIOR PROJECTS” THEATER CAPSTONE 2026
Classic Perpich Senior Projects – Theater Capstone 2026
Senior Capstone is a quarter long, process-driven project required for graduation by the Perpich Theater Program. Seniors execute and thoroughly document a sustained project of their own design over the course of 4th quarter. Projects may be connected to creative collaborative production and may take the form of, but are not limited to: a research paper, creation of an original work – play, movement, cabaret, costume, set design, voice over, sound score, etc. This serves as the “capstone” Perpich experience, bringing together two years of coursework and productions in theater arts and musical theater, and preparing students for life and work after departing Perpich Arts High School. Instructors Tory Peterson and Kevin Hohlstein serve as resources in the planning stages, advise on the progress of the project, and evaluate its effectiveness and quality.
Each Senior is allotted 10 minutes to use however they choose to develop their Capstone Project. When working with other Seniors, their time can be pooled together to showcase work. Juniors are cast as needed in certain Capstones. Each Senior is given a Community Mentor, a professional in the field that supports Senior Capstone work, from theater directors, performers, costume design, voice talent, and animators.
The evening will be made up of solo performances and one short play.
Performances consist of:
- Elsie Erickson (Musical Theater 2026) – an epistolary performance based on their middle school journals over COVID-19
- Gwyn DeVillers (Musical Theater 2026) – an autobiographical solo performance
- Audrey Tuite (Musical Theater 2026) – an autobiographical piece about family & immigration
- Natalie Campbell (Musical Theater 2026) & Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026) – “The Mercury and the Magic” Rolin Jones with music
- Ailee Bartz (Musical Theater 2026) – Music
Kevin Werner Hohlstein is the professional theater mentor for all 2026 Theater Seniors. In his performing career, Kevin has had the opportunity to be involved in many different styles of musical performing – from opera to musical theater to cabaret to pop to club singing. Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, he had the opportunity to work with Eau Claire Children’s Theater and Fanny Hill Dinner Theater while completing his coursework for his degree. Upon moving to the Cities, he performed with many companies, including Chanhassen Dinner Theater and the Minnesota Opera. Over the past few years, Kevin is most often seen performing cabaret in both solo performances and in a duo appearing in many venues across the metro.
On the production side, Kevin has directed for New Breath Productions, Ashland Productions, McNally Smith College of Music, wrote and directed for Minnesota PerformDance and McNally Smith College of Music and has also worked with many companies across the Twin Cities metro and in western Wisconsin as choreographer and music director – including McNally Smith College of Music, Eight Ball Productions, Ashland Productions, and Heritage Theater. He is proud to be one of the creators of Pop Up Musical, a show that had its start at the Fringe Festival in 2012 and was presented in venues in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Kevin serves as Minister of Music at Living Table UCC in Minneapolis.
As a part of the Arts High School faculty, Kevin teaches classes in Beginning Music Theory, Ensemble Practices, Vocal Music Interpretation, and Musical Theater. In addition, he is a member of the faculty at Moore Than Dance in Fridley, teaching musical theater. Kevin is a proud member of the Musical Theater Educators Alliance.
Recommended for ages 12 and older.
