Prior to joining the Minnetonka School District, Trent was the full time theater specialist for St. Paul Public School’s Four Seasons Arts Elementary and the Artistic Director at De LaSalle High School in Minneapolis. He has worked professionally in theatre and arts management in the Twin Cities for companies including: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Playwrights Center, Hey City Theatre, Theatre Latté Da, Hennepin Stages, and Buffalo Gal productions. Early in his career he served as the Artistic Director at Northern Lights Playhouse - a professional summer stock theater in Wisconsin, where he directed over 30 musical and comedy productions.Trent brought his talents to the Minnetonka Theatre program in 2003. As the Arts Center Operations Manager he created new theater marketing and public relations strategies, oversaw the theatre web page, and supervised the ticketing and box office staff. He was promoted to Associate Director in 2012, and in 2014 he became Artistic Director for Minnetonka Theatre.
Trent created and produced the districts first ever celebration of the arts (known as the Arts Twist) which celebrates student achievement in both the visual and performing arts K-12. As part of this annual event Trent has brought in special guests from the Guthrie Theatre, Minnesota Orchestra, and Minneapolis Institute of Arts – to name a few.
His passion for nurturing young actors led to his creating Minnetonka’s well received and popular elementary musical theatre program that premiered in 2012 when all six schools performed Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. He also created and is the driving force behind the successful Arts Center Summer Theatre Camps and the Broadway Kids program.
He has worked with our theatre boosters (Curtain Call Club) by coordinating, producing, and directing theater fundraising events since 2004. He has directed some of the Twin Cities' top actors in multiple showcase events to raise thousands of dollars for Minnetonka’s award winning theater program.
Minnetonka Theatre directing credits include: Chaplin the Musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Bright Star (original and revival), Sister Act, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Mary Poppins, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, On The Town, Into the Woods, Titanic, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, Tarzan, Pippin, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Brigadoon, Mame, Urinetown, Evita, Young Frankenstein, Annie, The Sound of Music, 9 to 5, Do Black Patent Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Honk!, Chicago, Damn Yankees, 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Steel Magnolias, and Willy Wonka.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Directing from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and received professional training from the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Awards program which promotes the importance of recognizing excellence in high school musical theatre.
Trent is a 2012 recipient of Minnetonka’s Employee Award for Child Centered Excellence.
The Team
Liz Barlow
Box Office & Marketing Coordinator
952.401.5712
liz.barlow@minnetonkaschools.org
Lauren Bartelt
Associate Director
952.401-5968
lauren.bartelt@minnetonkaschools.org
Wendy Buresh
Accountant/Facilities Scheduler
952.401.5972
wendy.buresh@minnetonkaschools.org
Nathan Humason
Facilities & Technical Coordinator
952.401.5749
nathan.humason@minnetonkaschools.org
Matt Kudas
Technical Director
952.401.5899
matthew.kudas@minnetonkaschools.org
Jan Battles
Resident Costume Designer
Sue Ellen Berger
Resident Lighting Designer
James Cada
Guest Director in Residence
Jennifer Crist
Resident Choreographer
Gia DesLauriers
Sponsorship Coordinator
Resident Makeup Designer
Resident Sound Designer
Wendy Holdman
Elementary Program Manager
Amy Jore
Special Projects Manager
Lisa V. Kudas
Resident Set Designer
Kelley Tripp
Resident Hair Designer