ABOUT 4CT.
Founded in
98
48
productions
Our Mission
Building bridges between communities and generations while providing an outlet for artistic expression and quality entertainment in western Hennepin and eastern Wright counties of Minnesota since 1998.
All Are Welcome!
4CT is a community theatre created for all members of the community. We are committed to diversity and inclusion across our company and community. 4CT honors and values each individual's identity while creating a space where all people can participate in multi-generational theatre regardless of race, ability, gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, economics, or background. Read more.
4CT Board of Directors
“We’re a special kind of people known as
show people...
We live in a world of our own.
Our days are tied to curtains,
They rise and they fall.
We’re born every night
At half-hour call.”
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Board Secretary & Marketing Coordinator
Mickey Van Drehle fell in love with theatre at an early age through school musicals and plays, and his involvement with community theatre in St. Cloud, MN. Since moving to the Twin Cities area in 2012, he has had the opportunity to perform with Eagan Summer Community Theatre, Open Door Community Theatre, Chaska Valley Family Theatre, and of course, 4 Community Theatre. When Mickey is not on stage, he works as a Digital Producer for an advertising agency in the North Loop called broadhead. He enjoys baking, movies, traveling, spending time with his husband, Justin, and taking their dog, Sadie, for walks.
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Hiring Manager
Claire Benway is a member of the executive committee of 4Community Theatre and is an actor, dancer, and choreographer originally from the Twin Cities. She had her BA in Theatre Performance & Dance from MNSU Mankato and her MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College in Boston. She enjoys working with all different ages and abilities and has worked with school age through adulthood. In her non-theatre endeavors, Claire works at the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, focusing on community inclusion for people with disabilities. Combining her two worlds is a goal she works toward in every production.
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Board Member
Kate Piering is a Twin-Cities based performer and educator. She was last seen in 4CT’s production of The Little Mermaid as Ariel but was also in 4CT’s production of The Addams Family as Wednesday Addams. Kate is currently a 5th-grade teacher in the Minnetonka Public Schools District. She can usually be found going for a run or walk, drinking coffee or Diet Coke, watching a documentary, trying a new pizza restaurant, or doing a puzzle.
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Board Member
Bill Steven is a Twin Cities based actor, stage manager, and director. Bill currently serves as the Theatre Program Director at Elk River High School. Currently finishing up his last year at Southwest Minnesota State University with a degree in Theatre, Bill has worked in many areas of theatre. He was last seen on the 4CT stage as Horton the Elephant in Seussical and as the puppeteer in Little Shop of Horrors. Notably, Bill has worked professionally at DalekoArts, Adventures in Cardboard, Lakeshore Players Theatre, and Normandale Community College.
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Student Board Representative
Gabe Sherman is a sophomore at Orono High School and an avid D&D player. When not creating new characters of his own, he enjoys being on stage whenever he can. His most recent roles include Wade in OHS’s Puffs, and Rolf in OHS’s Sound of Music. When not onstage he enjoys assisting with our middle school shows and leading youth activities.
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Board Member
Zachary Thomas Hedner is a New York City-based actor, producer, and theatre manager. He has worked as the Theatrical Operations Manager for Norwegian Cruise Lines working on shows like SIX the Musical and Burn the Floor. Zachary has also served as the Executive Director of the Arts Consortium of Carver County Inc., Associate Producer of Triple Espresso, and a freelance professional acting jobs across the Twin Cities He is currently attending Columbia University for an MFA in Theatre Management & Producing. Zachary is originally from Rockford, MN, attended the University of Northwestern St. Paul for a Bachelors in Theatre, and he has been on the board of 4CT since 2017.
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Student Board Representative
Cas is a student representative of the 4 Community Theatre Board and a student at the University of Minnesota. They graduated from Orono High school and have been an integral part of the 4CT family since 2021 where they were seen onstage as a Bird Girl in Seussical. Cas has also stage managed 4CT’s She Loves Me and was the ASM for Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
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Board Treasurer & Managing Director
Katy Sherman is a member of the executive committee of 4Community Theatre and has a degree in elementary education with an emphasis on middle school communication arts and literature. Additionally, Katy oversees the middle school theatrical productions for 4 Community Theatre in partnership with Orono Community Education, where she works as an arts and grant consultant. She was last seen on stage in 4 Community Theatre’s She Loves Me, and The Little Mermaid. She has also co-produced She Loves Me and Little Shop of Horrors. Katy is a proud mom of four kids (Bella, Gabe, Daniel, and Greta) and wife to Dan, and mom to many, many animals.
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Front of House Manager & Board Member
Kerstin has served on the Board of Directors since 2017. She currently serves as Front of House Manager. She was last seen on stage during our 2021 production of Gift of the Magi. She works as Inside Sales & Marketing for at Allstar Construction in Maple Plain, MN.
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Board President and Outreach Coordinator
Thomas Branham is a Twin Cities-based actor, director, producer, and 4 Community Theatre hiring manager. He has amassed a great deal of experience in local community theaters, including Morris Park Players, Eden Prairie Players, 4 Community Theatre, and Chaska Valley Family Theater. He has co-produced She Loves Me and Little Shop of Horrors. He was last seen on 4CT’s stage playing Mr. Maraczek in She Loves Me, and Grimsby in The Little Mermaid. Thomas resides in Maple Grove with his wife Christy, Camille (middle child), Carter (youngest child), bulldogs, and cats.
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Board Member & Tech Coordinator
Kelsie Balon Peck is a theater educator and a Twin Cities local. She graduated from University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire in 2017 with a degree in Education and Theatre, and has been directing for Orono since 2018. She serves as a board member and Chair of the Education Committee for 4 Community Theater, and directs for Orono High School and local community theater.
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Board Member
Bronson is a board member and costume manager for 4 Community Theatre. He is grateful for this opportunity and hopes the community will enjoy all of 4CT’s productions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
4CT is a community theatre created for all members of the community. We are committed to diversity and inclusion across our company and community. 4CT honors and values each individual's identity while creating a space where all people can participate in multi-generational theatre regardless of race, ability, gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, economics, or background.
4CT is committed to accessibility for all members of our community. It is our goal to:
Provide high-quality theatre experiences to all who wish to participate or attend
Provide ASL sign language and sensory-adapted performances
Waived participation fees for those in need
Accessible seating
Free tickets to local food shelves
Casting and hiring of contractors without considering the individual’s ethnicity, skin color, body type, sexual orientation and/or gender, or disabilities
In addition, 4CT partners with organizations in order to better serve the specific needs of underserved and underrepresented communities.
Our organization is dedicated to producing diverse seasons with opportunities accessible for all members of our community. Our production team, crew, and directors are hired with the understanding of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
We strive to keep 4CT rehearsals, productions, and events safe for all.
4CT Code of Conduct
4 Community Theatre is a nonprofit, community-based volunteer organization dedicated to providing live entertainment to the community. In addition, 4CT provides a venue for those seeking both onstage and offstage opportunities. Participation in the organization’s functions is a privilege and subject to the observance of the organization’s rules and procedures.
The following are guiding principles for conduct expected from all 4CT participants. While we cannot address every issue or provide answers to every dilemma, they can define the spirit in which we intend to do business and should guide us in our daily conduct.
4CT is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and safe regardless of their age, race or ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or other characteristics that make our participants and patrons unique. We expect all our participants and patrons to conduct themselves in ways that support this commitment, and to treat everyone with respect.
Do the Right Thing
Several key questions can help identify situations that may be unethical, inappropriate, or illegal.
Ask yourself:
Does what I am doing comply with the 4 Community Theatre guiding principles and Code of Conduct?
Would I feel comfortable saying or doing this in front of any individual regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity?
Could my actions cause harm, either physically or emotionally, to someone else?
Could my actions harm the production I’m involved in?
Is this the right thing to do?
The activities outlined below are strictly prohibited.
Actual or threatened violence, bullying, or harassment (verbal, physical, or online/digital) of any patron or other participant connected to 4 Community Theatre.
Sexual or gender-based harassment of any kind. This includes unwelcome advances, verbal or nonverbal conduct, and non-consensual touching.
The use of abusive or offensive language toward or in the proximity of any patron or other participant connected to 4 Community Theatre. This includes language, references, and jokes that are sexual or racial in nature.
Possession of dangerous, unauthorized, or illegal materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons, drugs, or other similar items on 4 Community Theatre’s property and the property of our venues.
Conduct endangering the life, safety, health, or well-being of any patron or other participant connected to 4 Community Theatre. This may include interaction beyond the theater property and will be handled at the discretion of the director or Board.
Any conduct on or beyond the 4 Community Theatre property that could damage one’s ability to fulfill one’s obligation to the theater. This includes coming to theater functions under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Failure to follow any policy, procedure, or expectation as set by the 4 Community Theatre Board of Directors and/or the director of the show you are participating in. This includes behaving with disrespect toward production leaders or failing to meet commitments.
Any participant who violates this code is subject to discipline, up to and including removal from an existing production they are participating in and/or probation or barring from future involvement related to 4 Community Theatre.
Each of us is responsible for knowing and adhering to the values and standards set forth in this code and for raising questions if we are uncertain about the expectations at 4 Community Theatre. If you are concerned about whether the standards are being met or are aware of violations of the code, please contact one of the names listed on the information sheet provided to you.
All participants in each production must sign and date this form before starting work on the production. (Includes actors, directors, assistant directors, stage managers, technical operators, stagehands, and any other members of the production team.)
-Adopted by the Board of Directors
COVID-19 Statement
Effective April 24, 2023 the board of 4CT has decided we feel comfortable removing the covid vaccination requirement. We have connected with other theatres in the area, reviewed vaccination data and outbreak numbers and are confident in our decision.
Our COVID-19 committee will continue to update our policy in order to prioritize the health and safety of our cast, crew, and audiences in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.
4 Community Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre company. We rely on donations, sponsorships, and support from people like you to make up about 50% of our budget. Donations to 4CT are tax-deductible and mean the world to us. Help us to keep theatre alive in our communtiy.