Last Friday, John Mattson walked across a stage at Albert Lea High School and received his diploma. Five days later, he was standing on a stage in a rehearsal next to actor Dick Van Patten.

“It’s been quite a ride,” Mattson said.

Mattson originally went through auditions for Minnesota Festival Theatre in March. A big fan of musicals, he was hoping for a role in “Guys and Dolls.”

“I didn’t even know there was a spot open in ‘The Sunshine Boys,'” he said. “I got a call from Terry Lynn Carlson saying I’d been chosen for it and had a speaking role. I was extremely surprised.”

Mattson did eventually get a role in “Guys and Dolls” as well, playing Harry the Horse. But for now, he’s enjoying his “Sunshine Boys” role.

He dropped in on a rehearsal Tuesday and said he was a little intimidated. “I’m just a regular high school kid and these guys are professionals,” he said, adding he’s seen Dick Van Patten in a number of movies.

“But when I went to rehearsals on Wednesday, everyone was so nice,” Mattson said. “They’re really laid back, easy-going and fun to be around.”

Mattson said he actually has a few more lines than he had originally thought, and committed himself to giving the role his all.

“In the script there were three lines for Eddie, but when I got there Wednesday, I had more lines than that. I decided I needed to open up my mind and get out of my normal high school routine, because these guys are used to working with professionals,” he said.

Mattson said he enjoys working with Carlson as a director.

“He’s an actor too, so he wants us to be as comfortable on stage as possible. He encourages us to try new things, and if it doesn’t work, he lets us know,&uot; he said.

Mattson has also enjoyed the time downstairs in the theatre visiting with the other actors, including not only Dick Van Patten, but also James Van Patten, Nancy Valen, Fred Wagner and Lola Lesheim.

“I try to collect little tidbits and ask them about acting to figure out if that’s really what I want to do,” he said. “They’re pretty honest, I think.”

Mattson has been in some 20 plays during his high school career, something he considers “a pretty good run.”

He’s planning to attend Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, in the fall. “I plan to double major in theatre and music education,” he said.

Mattson said he believes “The Sunshine Boys” experience will look good on a resume some day.

“It won’t hurt,” he said. “And it’s something I’ll never forget.”