Abby Nadeau
Community Editor

It was an offer she couldn’t refuse. An opportunity that would only come along maybe once in a lifetime.

For Forest Lake native Becka Ollmann performing in the classic “Les Miserables” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre was a dream come true.

“This is probably the show that turned me on to theatre in the first place,” Ollmann said.

Ollmann, a former New York University student, said she auditioned for the famous play on a “whim.”

Fortunately, Ollmann’s last minute decision paid off and she landed a part in the ensemble for the musical Les Miserables.

FL beginnings

Ollmann’s interest in theater started here in Forest Lake.

“My first show ever was ‘The Music Man’ with Masquers Community Theatre,” Ollmann said. “I did quite a few shows with Masquers and my family also performed in community theatre with me.”

Ollmann was also very active with Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake performing in various events.

As she reached high school, Ollmann participated in various school performances, but she also started performing with the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis.

“I learned a lot from those experiences as well,” Ollmann said, “but community theatre was always the most fun.”

With her family owning The Music Connection in Forest Lake and being involved with many performances themselves, it was no surprise what direction Ollmann took as she moved along in life.

“Growing up I always loved singing, and I come from a very musical family, but I didn’t know much about acting,” Ollmann said. “I got involved with musical theatre just because I wanted to sing more, and then acting kind of grew out of that.”

And when her high school graduation came, there was only one place Ollmann wanted to be.

From FL to NY

In the Fall of 1999, Ollmann left Forest Lake to attend college at New York University in New York City.

“I went to NYU because it is located in the heart of New York City and I’d always loved the idea of being in New York. That is where Broadway is,” she said.

Ollmann said she went there to study theatre, but she wasn’t positive theatre was all she wanted to do.

“I ended up studying literature primarily and doing theatre stuff more on the side of college,” Ollmann said. “I really wanted to read great books and ‘get smart’ while I was out there.”

Ollmann said she participated in theatre while in college, but it ended up not being the focus of her college experience.

After her college graduation, Ollmann said she considered a variety of options.

“I considered grad school for literature, education, law school, theatre...you name it,” Ollmann said. “I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I moved back home to Minnesota while I tried to figure it out.”

In between trying to decide what to do with her future, Ollmann said she got really involved with pilates and yoga and became a certified instructor in each.

Back in MN

Upon returning to Minnesota, Ollmann said she auditioned for a production of “Bat Boy: the musical” and earned a role.

Soon after the Children’s Theatre called Ollmann to work on “A Year With Frog and Toad.”

“I’ve been working professionally as an actor pretty consistently since then,” said Ollmann.

As Ollmann settled into her new home in Minnesota, she attended an open audition for the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Among the plays the theatre was auditioning for was the famous “Les Miserables.”

She said roughly 500 people tried out for “Les Miserables.”

“It seems like everyone wants to work at the Chanhassen, so I was very lucky to get a spot in the show,” Ollmann said.

Ollmann earned a spot in the ensemble of “Les Miserables.”

“In this production most of the ensemble is on stage for nearly the entire show, which is three hours long,” said Ollmann. “I play everything from a nun to a prostitute in this show.”

She said that “Les Miserables” is entirely sung, so there is “a lot of musical responsibility that goes along with being in an ensemble like this one.”

The chance to work at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre has been an honor for Ollmann.

“There is a lot of history in that building,” Ollmann said. “A lot of the actors I’m working with on this show have worked at Chanhassen for 20 years or more.”

She said it was like joining a big family.

“It’s a very warm working atmosphere and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Ollmann said.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s production of “Les Miserables” is scheduled to run through January of 2008.

For more information about the performance or to learn about performance dates visit www.chanhassentheatres.com or by calling 952-934-1525.

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