Undoubtedly, the Center has amassed the most successful HI, DI, and Duo staff in the nation. Coaches of countless national champions and finalists, and the national champions and finalists themselves have come to the Center because of a dedication to improving students with all levels of potential.

The focus of the Summer at Center is to improve the interper’s skills and develop their versatility. Using a vast array of literature available from the College and it’s theatre program, students will learn how to identify potentially successful pieces, how create a cutting, methods of developing characterization, and integrating movement. Students will receive lectures from the Center’s superior staff, view sample performances, and practice selected skills in a one-on-one setting. Interp Group participants will also spend time reviewing potential competition pieces and return to their teams with several potential pieces.

Students will have access to all of the Center library pieces including pieces that are appropriate for less experienced interpers and pieces that are more appropriate for advanced extempers. The Center is committed to providing students with the best resources by allowing the Interp Staff to purchase completely new scripts each year to add to the library.

Instead of separating students interested in interpretation events, we are committed to a well-rounded student. Each participant has the unique opportunity to come away having worked on both Humorous and Drama pieces.

Students should not expect to come away from the Summer at the Center with competition ready pieces. Any two-week institute that purports to make a student performance ready in two weeks is lying. Students will select a piece, create a cutting, and will have developed some characters. Throughout the institute, our staff will work with the students to create better and more distinct characters and improve or develop comedic timing.

Students will have access to all of the pieces discovered and cut by the institute but will be financially responsible for making photocopies of material that is not their own.

To learn more about our amazing instructors, please visit our staff pages:
(Please note that all students will have a chance to work with all instructors)

Division Director

Jim Fedje, Lakeville High School; former coach Eagan High School; Interp Group Director, Summer at the Center 2004

Instructors & Interns

Jessica Hafner-Fedje, Roseville High School; coach of NFL champions

Drew Hammond, Eagan High School; former coach Apple Valley High School

Brett Hemmerlin, NFL Duo National Champion

Natalie Sintek, NFL Humorous National Champion

Guests of the Center

Joni Anker, Eagan High School

Tom Finley, NFL Humorous National Champion

Henry Hebert, Forest Lake High School