About Us

Trollwood Performing Arts School has maintained a high standard of excellence in all its programs since 1978 as a result of the level of commitment to serve youth exhibited by the leaders of the organization. These Trollwood leaders are community members, educators, business owners, and parents dedicated to offering quality education opportunities to our youth through the arts. We thank them for their service.

Our heartfelt appreciation to the Fargo Board of Education and Fargo Public Schools leaders, for their support of our growth and development.

• Dr. Rupak Gandhi, Superintendent
• Dr. Robert Grosz, Associate Superintendent
• Melissa Eidsness, Associate Superintendent
• Jackie Gapp, Business Manager
• Dr. Jeff McCanna, Human Capital Officer
• AnnMarie Campbell, Communications Officer
• Tara Brandner, General Counsel
• Bill Westrick, Strategy and Innovation Officer
• Melissa Burkland, President
• Seth Holden, Vice President
• Katie Christensen
• Greg Clark
• Nyamal Dei
• Nikkie Gullickson
• Jim Johnson
• Robin Nelson
• Dr. Tracie Newman

A special thank you to the Moorhead City Council for their partnership in hosting the home of Trollwood Performing Arts School.

• Mayor Shelly Carlson
• Laura Caroon
• Matthew Gilbertson
• Chuck Hendrickson
• Steve Lindaas
• Ryan Nelson
• Heather Nesemeier
• Larry Seljevold
• Deb White

KATHY ANDERSON

Executive Director

Kathy Anderson has an extensive background in Arts Management spanning over 30 years. She started her career as a Music Industry student at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree and began her arts management career as an intern at Trollwood. Kathy has held numerous management positions in both non-profit and for-profit industries.

Since 2009, Kathy has been leading Trollwood Performing Arts School, where she has expanded its educational offerings by establishing programs such as the Trollwood Conservatory, Totally Trollwood Academy, and the Trollwood Children’s Theatre. In 1997, Kathy was instrumental in launching the nationally recognized STudents At Risk (STAR) program for Trollwood. Kathy has served as a producer for various Trollwood Mainstage Musical productions, including Singin’ in the Rain (2023), Cinderella (2021), Freaky Friday (2019), Hello, Dolly! (2018), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2017), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2016), Disney’s Mary Poppins (2015), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2014), Shrek (2013), Legally Blonde (2012), The Music Man (2011), and Anything Goes (2010).

In 2012, Kathy was tasked to take on a larger role at Trollwood, where she oversees the management and programming of the venue known as Bluestem Center for the Arts. She also oversees all aspects of fundraising and development for the organization. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director for the Cass County Historical Society and Bonanzaville USA (1997-1999), where she directed a major renovation and secured funding for the development of the Lucien Barnes Pavilion at Bonanzaville. Kathy also worked for Microsoft (2000-2005) as a Technical Support Engineer and Technical Lead for the accounting package Great Plains before returning to Trollwood as the Director of Administration in 2005.

Aside from her professional arts management career, Kathy has a passion for music and enjoys writing and performing her own songs as a singer/songwriter. She cherishes spending quality time with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Jessica.

MICHAEL WALLING

Artistic Director

Michael Walling is a nationally known New York City-based stage director and arts educator. Michael has been the resident guest director for Trollwood since 1992 and is currently the Artistic Director for the Mainstage Musical. Cinderella will mark the 30th stage production Michael has directed for Trollwood. This year the Arts Partnership is recognizing Michael’s artistic investment in TPAS and the Fargo-Moorhead area with the 2021 Outstanding Artist Award in the FM metro.

Michael was the Artistic Director of the Pit and Balcony Theatre Company in Michigan, directing 24 stage productions. He’s also served as Artistic Director for Fort Peck Theatre in Montana, directing and producing over 15 productions. For the last three decades, Mr. Walling has been a frequent Guest Artist/Lecturer on the regional theatre and university stage. Teaching masterclasses in stage directing and audition technique. Michael was a founding member of the Directors Company in the prestigious Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Throughout 1992-2000, Michael directed numerous projects for the writing program.

As Artistic Director of the Mainstage Musical, Michael continues to lead a national artistic team to produce high-quality professional theatre while inspiring thousands of our local students through the discipline of arts education. Because of Michael’s continuous dedication to our community, it was announced in 2001 by the mayor of Fargo that from this day on, July 18th would officially be “Michael Walling Day” in Fargo ND.

Michael’s Trollwood directing credits include: 1992-Oklahoma, 1993-Anything Goes, 1994-Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 1995-West Side Story, 1996-Guys and Dolls, 1997-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1998-42nd Street, 1999-Jesus Christ Superstar, 2000-Damn Yankees, 2001-Crazy for You, 2002-Footloose, 2003-Les Misérables, 2004-Kiss Me, Kate, 2005-Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, 2006-Fiddler on the Roof, 2007-Thoroughly Modern Millie, 2008-Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 2009-The Wiz, 2010-Anything Goes, 2011-The Music Man, 2012-Legally Blonde The Musical, 2013-Shrek The Musical, 2014-How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 2015-Mary Poppins, 2016-Disney’s The Little Mermaid, 2017-Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, 2018-Hello, Dolly!, in 2019-Freaky Friday, and Cinderella-2021.

NANCY GLASER

Program Coordinator

Nancy has been involved with Trollwood as a volunteer and parent since 2003. She started her role on the Trollwood staff in January 2008 as the Events and Volunteer Services Coordinator. In the fall of 2009, Nancy took on the role of Program and Volunteer Services Coordinator for Trollwood. In her new capacity, Nancy continues coordinating all volunteer efforts and also oversees the youth arts programs of Trollwood including coordinating all aspects of the Trollwood Academy, Totally Trollwood Academy, Totally Trollwood Musical, Trollwood Conservatory, Trollwood Children’s Theatre, ArtSpark, the STAR program, and the Trollwood Student Leadership program. Nancy is responsible for developing curriculum, as well as hiring and managing the faculty for all of these key Trollwood programs. The parts of her job she enjoys the most include working with all of the wonderful students and volunteers that make up the Trollwood family. Her previous employment was with the Muscular Dystrophy Association where she served as Health Care Service Coordinator, running the MDA Clinic and Summer Camp programs. Prior to being employed by Trollwood, Nancy spent numerous hours volunteering for the organization. She served as the volunteer Ambassador Chair, assisted with poster distribution, Sun Celebration, Tech Week meals, mic wiring, concessions, set construction, the holiday card mailing, and more. Her love of theatre began at Fargo North High School where she performed in several shows. During college, she was a member of the North Dakota Repertory Theatre and also performed in shows at NDSU and at FMCT.

ANDY SEGAL

Technical Coordinator

Andrew Segal is the Technical Coordinator for the Fargo School District theaters. He moved here from Colorado in 2022 to be the Technical Director for Totally Trollwood and Trollwood Children’s Theatre. He oversees the Bluestem Stage, Fargo North, South, and Davies High School Technical Directors and the middle school theaters. Prior to his arrival to the area, he was the Technical Director for Windsor High School and University Schools in Colorado. He also taught Middle School Stem and Math. He has been involved with theater since the early 1980’s as an actor, director, teacher, theater manager, and technical director. As an entrepreneur he was the Creative Director for a theater school he created to provide additional theater training for students ages 6-18. His passion is Shakespeare, in fact, he directed a middle school production of Romeo and Juliet at Trollwood, on the old barn stage back in 1993, after one of the many Fargo floods tried to wipe out Trollwood park. Andrew is glad to be back in the area, despite the freezing temperatures, with his dog Lucy. He looks forward to the schools reaching new theatrical heights, and summers of fantastic productions on the Bluestem Stage.

SHAWN BREKKE

Student Talent Mentor

With over 30 years of teaching experience, Shawn has a deep understanding of the importance of connecting with students on a personal level. His favorite moments in teaching include one-on-one conversations with students, where he can see the sparkle in their eyes and hear the excitement in their voices as they share their goals and aspirations.

Originally from Oregon, Shawn pursued his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Oregon before relocating to Minnesota. There, he completed his Master of Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he also served as a graduate assistant.

Shawn’s passion for music extends beyond the classroom. Alongside his wife, Kathie Brekke, and their son, Daniel, Shawn is a professional musician in the Fargo-Moorhead area and surrounding region. For the last 20 years, they have delighted audiences with their performances at Jasper’s Theater in Park Rapids, MN, showcasing their musical talents and bringing joy to many.

Outside of his professional life, Shawn enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and Baxter, the family goldendoodle. He married Kathie in 1993, and their son, Daniel, born in 1995, is also an accomplished musician. Daniel is set to be married to Brooke Renshaw in May of this year.

TYLER BROWN

Graphic & Web Designer

Tyler is an artist-designer in Fargo-Moorhead with a passion for visual storytelling. He’s the graphic & web designer for Fargo Public Schools (FPS) and spends his days creating visuals and managing websites throughout the district. Before joining FPS, he worked with web developers and advertising agencies around the Red River Valley and holds a Master of Art + Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art, and Bachelor of Science in Design Technology. He spends his time away from work experiencing the joys of life with his wife, two boys, and crazy dog. You might also catch him sketching ideas for personal art projects, exhibiting at comic book conventions, or intently studying cartoons and comics.

ADAM WATTS

Communications Specialist

Adam Watts is a writer and communicator with about a decade of experience in the newspaper industry before entering his role as the communications specialist for Fargo Public Schools and Trollwood in the fall of 2021. He manages the social media accounts for both FPS and Trollwood, writes press releases for major events, and produces the weekly SchoolTalk e-Newsletters every week for the school district during the school year and the Trollwood Weekly newsletter every week at Trollwood during the summer. Adam has a degree in multimedia communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He was a sports reporter, news reporter, and page designer in multiple stints at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, a sports reporter at the Worthington Daily Globe in Worthington, Minn., and the sports editor at the Winona Daily News in Winona Minn. Adam has a lifelong passion for theatre and grew up attending Trollwood’s Mainstage Musical every summer, so it is a thrill to be working at a place that has brought so much joy to his life. His first memory of seeing a musical on stage was Trollwood’s 1994 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when he was three years old, and he’s been a huge fan of that show and the theatre ever since. He performed in numerous high school productions at West Fargo High School, but has spared the community from having to watch him on stage since then.