When a person encounters Patrick Rasmussen at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre, it’s not always easy to determine which hat he’s wearing.

Saturday, September 01, 2001

When a person encounters Patrick Rasmussen at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre, it’s not always easy to determine which hat he’s wearing.

Rasmussen was recently hired by the Albert Lea Park and Recreation Department as the theatre manager. He was also hired by the Albert Lea Community Theatre board of directors as ACT’s artistic director.

But while the two jobs are separate, they also complement each other.

As the theatre manager, Rasmussen says the community has a beautiful space that’s under-utilized.

&uot;My main focus is going to be to get more evenings of entertainment in the theatre,&uot; he said.

Albert Lea Community Theatre has 29 performances each year, while Minnesota Festival Theatre has 34. The manager said the theatre could be used at other times for corporate meetings, since it has a multi-media screen and a projector available.

&uot;It’s a comfortable building to be in,&uot; he said.

Of course, Rasmussen said he’d like to see more performing arts in the theatre as well. He’s working on getting ethic groups in and wants theatre groups like the Guthrie Theatre’s tour to make a stop here. In addition, he’s contacted the Minnesota Presenters’ Organization to try to book performances of theatre and musical groups when they’re in between other regional cities. He’d also like to see some holiday shows in the facility.

&uot;People can always call me with any ideas they have,&uot; he said. &uot;My overall goal is to make this a regional arts center.

&uot;It’s a good facility. Of all the theatres I’ve worked in – and I’ve directed and acted in Albert Lea, Owatonna, Austin and Burnsville -&160;this is my favorite. It’s a good location to bring acts into, and we should be able to lure people in to see them,&uot; Rasmussen said.

In his role as ACT’s artistic director, Rasmussen will direct two shows this season and design all four.

The season includes:

* &uot;You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,&uot; Oct. 24-27, and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-3. Rasmussen is directing the family show/musical, based on the Charles M. Schulz Peanuts characters.

*&160;Robert Fulghum’s &uot;All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,&uot; Feb. 7-9 and 13-16, directed by Rory Mattson. The play takes a funny, insightful and heartwarming look at what is profound in everyday life.

*&160;Harper Lee’s &uot;To Kill a Mockingbird,&uot; March 28-30 and April 3-6. Rasmussen directs the play, which takes place in the summer of 1935 and is the story of a young girl in a quiet Southern town who is about to experience the dramatic events that will affect the rest of her life.

*&160;Paul Ashorn’s &uot;Mornings At Seven,&uot; May 9-11 and 15-18. Julianna Skluzacek directs the charming portrait of a small town 50-plus years ago.

Next year, he plans to do a children’s show in the fall – separate from the regular season.

Rasmussen said while Park and Rec has offered acting classes for children for a number of years, he’d like to offer some for adults. &uot;We need to expand our local acting base for both ACT and MFT,&uot; he said.

In addition, he said he sees the need for directing and overall theatre appreciation classes. &uot;The community has the base for it,&uot; he added.

&uot;I want to increase awareness and involvement on both sides and get people into the building,&uot; Rasmussen said. &uot;There’s not one of us who hasn’t gone on stage and felt apprehensive. The theatre is a place to find acceptance.&uot;

Rasmussen himself got into theatre through sibling rivalry. &uot;My brother Michael was in theatre in high school and college, and I thought, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’&uot;

He earned his degree in theatre from Southwest State University in Marshall. Although he’s worked in radio, newspapers and sales, he always comes back to theatre. He still works part time for Q-TV in Austin.

At ACT, he’s directed &uot;The Shadow Box&uot; and &uot;The Rainmaker&uot; and acted in &uot;The Crucible.&uot; He’s also been active in theatres in Austin, Owatonna, Rochester, Burnsville and Fairmont.

Rasmussen said he plans to join some theatre organizations which will help him to network with regional directors.

&uot;Sharing information is a good thing,&uot; he said.

Rasmussen has one daughter, who is a freshman at Carleton College in Northfield this fall.