Lakeside Link: ‘06 alum returns for some high school drama

“The magic of theatre” has been with 2006 grad Kristina (Wortman) Meinel for a long time. From her own high school performances, through her college Fine Arts degree, to today—whether it be directing or with her behind-the-scenes artistry—Kristina has found ways to serve her Savior & others in the most entertaining ways.

LL: You were an onstage Warrior?

The Lakeside stage holds many memories for me, and it is an honor to return to see others grow in their love for performance. In 2005, I played Marston in And Then There Were None, as well as Frau Schmidt in Sound of Music in 2006. My favorite role was Lily from Annie in 2004. I made so many memories with friends from different high school groups ... trailing feathers wherever I went with that molting feather boa ... hearing Annie (Katie [Rhodes ‘05] Lesperance) do justice to the beautiful song “Maybe” ... learning choreography from Linnea Koeppel ‘06 for “Easy Street,” my trio (Kristina, below left) with Josh Schultz ‘04 and Melissa Gallun ‘06.

It’s a special opportunity to come together for a show, an event that can never be duplicated in the exact way after those people are done with that show. What a great thing to be part of AND to pass on to other generations of thespians now.

LL: Tell us more about what’s special about passing it on.

The best part of directing teens is watching them throughout the process, from auditions to final curtain call. They learn so much about performing and themselves. I hope to share an appreciation for theatre in general, but mostly I want to get each kid to reach a higher level of performance than they thought they could. I want them to learn to be expressive and learn timing and posture and presentation, but mostly, I hope they learn to use their experiences and personality to serve God with a different set of talents than in math class. I hope to teach them to embrace who they are (quirks and all) and gain confidence in their uniqueness because, just as each has a unique role in a theatre performance, each person has unique qualities that can further God’s work. We work hard, we have A LOT of fun, and we make some pretty cool art for God’s glory.

This past spring was very different. We had lost last year’s performance of High School Musical [which would have been Kristina’s Lakeside directing debut–ed.]. In auditions and our first rehearsals in 2021, the teens were somber ... stiff. It was a challenge to breathe life back into the process, a lot of going through the motions until we felt “better,” like shaking free from the losses of the last year. The final month, we finally felt the creativity bursting out; it may sound lame, but the happiness finally seemed to return to the stage.

LL: What else keeps you busy?

With a bachelor of Fine Arts with a Stage Management emphasis from UW-Whitewater, I began stage managing professionally at the Janesville Armory. For three years, I directed at Lake Country Lutheran High School.

I also work at Salty Earth Pictures in Fort. Steve Zambo saw me in 2005 and asked me to audition. I became an intern during college, building and painting sets, giving tours, cleaning, and being cast and crew on films. Fast forward—working at Salty Earth remains a joyful blessing. We all cover a multitude of jobs there, but my official title is Key Hair and Makeup Artist, working on our Bible Stories project, Movie Critters (with puppets!) and our latest feature films, The Open Door and The Author, The Star and The Keeper. I also work independently as a makeup artist for other film projects, most notedly for Highlights Media.

LL : Final thoughts?

I love to share the magic of theatre and help build self-confidence. Theatre embraces every type—just find the right “role”—lead acting, a character actor, dancing, costuming, stage managing, muscling as set crew, using brains to wire a light system, tuning an ear to minute sound differences, publicity, painting and more. I hope to help equip them for their future, wherever it may lead!

Josh ‘07 and Kristina dated at LLHS and married in 2009. They are blessed with Silas (9) Mabel (6) and Grayson (3).