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Here you'll find information about the adults and students who hold primary leadership roles in the theatre department at Buffalo High School.
Directing Staff
Directing Staff
Tracy Hagstrom Durant HD as the students call her) has been involved in educational theatre for 40 years, directing over 140 shows. A passionate believer in the educational capacity of the arts, she currently serves as the High School Representative for the Communications and Theater Association of MN, is a member of the MSHSL One-Act Play Advisory Committee and on the Board of Directors for the MN Educational Theatre Association. HD has also directed for several community theaters including The Barn Theater (Willmar, MN), Buffalo Community Theater (Buffalo, MN), Dassel-Cokato Community Theater (Cokato, MN) and the Educational Theater Company (St. Cloud, MN area). She has a BA in Theater, Speech, English and Secondary Education from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and an MA in Arts in Education from St. Mary’s University (Winona, MN). Outside of school HD spends as much time as possible getting “dirty therapy” in her hosta gardens, directs the Chancel Choir at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN and LOVES her favorite pastime…her granddaughter, Elaina Mae!
Greg Bestland Technical Director
Greg Bestland Technical Director
Greg Bestland B.A. and M.A. has trained and worked in technical theatre for over 50 years. He loves lighting design and set construction, but has also been on stage as an actor, and behind the scenes as a director and a stage manager. He is currently on the board for Buffalo Community Theatre and has worked here at Buffalo High school since 2010. He is a retired Chaplain and middle school teacher. He is husband to Debb and grandfather to awesome grandchildren and caretaker of two amazing dogs.
Debb Bestland Choreographer Director
Debb Bestland Choreographer Director
Debra L. Bestland is recently retired as a teacher in Theatre and Dance and Creative Writing. She has a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology and an M.A.T. with a focus on artistic inquiry in k-12 Theatre and Dance. She is currently a choreographer, director and theatre coach here at BHS. Her love of storytelling spills over into other art forms including drawing and writing. She shares her love of the arts with her grown up children, their spouses and her grandchildren
Original Leadership Team.
Theatre Leadership Team (TLT)
Theatre Leadership Team (TLT)
The BHS Theatre Department Theatre Leadership Team (TLT) is a core group of students dedicated to enriching the theatre program through various means. The team is made up of actors and technicians grades 10-12. These students are responsible for what goes on behind the scenes, and bring ideas forward to the adviser. TLT was founded in 2018. Thank you to all of those who applied and remember that there is always a chance to reapply next year.
This year's Theatre Leadership Team 2023-24
Zoe Donofrio, Olivia Telecky, Neve Elo, Kadin Anderson, Kiley Herbst, Kate Hendel, Harrison Klaphake, Johanna Nosbush, Riley Johnson, Ben Krinke, Miko Valli, Greta Winger, Britt Drennan, Avery Russek, Lucas Louwagie.
Buffalo Theater Boosters (BTB)
Buffalo Theater Boosters (BTB)
Get Involved: Buffalo Theater Boosters welcomes parents, alumni, and community members who want to support Buffalo theater arts. Whether through volunteering, attending performances, or contributing to our programs, you're helping ensure that every student has access to the life-changing experiences theater provides.
Buffalo Theater Boosters supports theater arts education and excellence at Buffalo High School. As a program of Buffalo Arts Council (a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit), BTB provides professional operational infrastructure that enables our theater educators and student leaders to focus on developing the next generation of artists and creative professionals.
Through strategic fundraising, volunteer coordination, and financial management, we ensure 100+ students annually have access to transformative theater experiences. From performers and musicians to technical crew and our emerging "Producer Track" of student business operators, BTB creates opportunities for students to develop lifelong skills—confidence, collaboration, creativity, and leadership. Learn more about the BTB mission.
The show is the showcase. The skills are the outcome.
Designated Program: Buffalo Theater Boosters
Tax ID (EIN): 87-3877222
Non-Profit Entity: Buffalo Arts Council
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. BTB welcomes parents, alumni, and community members who want to support Buffalo theater arts through volunteering, attending performances, or contributing to our programs.
Corporate Matching:
The Buffalo Arts Council is listed on Benevity, making your gift eligible for employer matching programs through many companies.
When submitting a match request, search for “Buffalo Arts Council (EIN: 87-3877222)” and include “Buffalo Theater Boosters” in the designation or notes field.
Learn more about Buffalo Theater Boosters fiscal sponsor Buffalo Arts Council: https://www.buffalomn.us
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