Meet The Beehive Theatre Community!
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Matt Berdahl
Executive Artistic Director
(He/Him), Matt is a Minnesota-born and raised theatre professional who has performed, directed, and traveled the country working with various theaters and connected with many strong communities, including musical theatre, Shakespeare, National Touring Children’s Theatre, commercial work, and various other professional mediums. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Arts from the Minnesota State University Moorhead, Matt launched his career as an actor, performing with some of the Twin Cities theater’s staple directors and theater companies with strong ties to their respective communities. Following a stint in Michigan, Matt made his career move back to the Twin Cities in 2015 to focus on directing for youth as his primary task. Matt celebrates bringing his professional journey full circle: sharing the positive world of theater with Twin Cities youth and working to grow our great Beehive Theatre community. Contact Matt at matt@beehivetheatre.org
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Robyn Wheeler
Managing Director
(She/Her), Robyn has been one of the most enthusiastic children’s theatre volunteers since she became involved in the twin cities theatre scene in 2015! When she is not pouring much of her time and passion into kids, she serves the community as a forensic psychiatric nurse for Hennepin County – specializing in working at the intersections of the criminal justice system, substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental illness. Contact Robyn at robyn@beehivetheatre.org
Beehive Theatre Board of Directors
Ben Eng
(He/Him), Ben is a freelance theatre technician in the Twin Cities where his specialty is lighting design and front of house. Ben also works at the U of M as the Audience Services Manager at Ted Mann Concert Hall. He has lived in MN his whole life and attended college at Bemidji State University. When he is not doing theatre things, Ben can be found hanging out with friends and family, playing board games, taking in a hockey or baseball game, or sitting around a bonfire.
Miriam Ackerman
(She/Her), Miriam is Chief Strategy Officer at DNT BLNK, a Minneapolis based venture studio focussed on developing, building and advancing startups through strategy, partnerships, brand and product development. Miriam is co-founder of NetGiver, the no-fee mobile giving platform. While living in London, Miriam worked as the general manager of London’s premiere new-writing theatre and as a producer, with shows both in the London fringe and London West End.
Mason Schlinsog
(He/Him), Mason is an accountant at Thomson Reuters and brings over 14 years of diverse finance experience. Mason is no stranger to performing as he has been a percussionist his entire life, most recently as part of the South Washington County Community band. In his free time he enjoys hiking and spending time with his daughters, wife, and their two dogs.
Katherine Carlson
(She/Her), Katherine is a Human Capital Partner supporting Optum Technology. Katherine has a graduate degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Carlson School of Management and a deep love for all things theater. In her spare time, she enjoys long hikes through Minnesota State Parks with her family, playing chess, and loudly singing show tunes, much to the chagrin of her son.
Jared Gray
(He/Him), Jared is a Digital Marketing Manager at CVS Health. He is an outside-the-box problem solver and brings a wealth of creative development experience to the board, especially as it pertains to the arts and entertainment. Prior to Jared’s corporate roles, he worked as a production and story manager for various television programs and had a stint at The Guthrie Theater as a dramaturg. In his spare time, Jared can be found with his family, golfing with friends, or catching a show around town.
Kristen Ciancio
(She/Her), Kristen is currently finishing her Masters in Education at Hamline University and works at the AC Hotel in Bloomington. Kristen has a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from the University Alabama at Birmingham where she was nominated for a KCACTF Dramaturg award.
Janice Klimek
(She/Her), Janice is a restaurant manager. Janice has a background in English literature and has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations. Her interests include her family, their dog Juno, reading, writing, and the arts in all their glorious forms.
Olivia Lindberg
(She/Her) Olivia is a Twin Cities based director, dramaturg, team builder, and advocate. She is passionate and committed to the arts with a desire to tell stories that motivate change and compassion for others. She received her BFA in Directing from Nebraska Wesleyan University. In 2021, Olivia started Common Creators, a Minneapolis based arts collective: uniting communities to make positive change on a neighborhood/local level through art that illuminates the human condition. She also serves as Program Director at JSAW, an action sports ministry in Edina, MN.