NRHEG grad Adam Moen loves the stage

LOVING LIFE — NRHEG High School graduate Adam Moen (lower right) and the cast from “Bye Bye Birdie” currently being performed at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. (Submitted photo)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

One of New Richland’s very own has struck gold you might say, on the theater stage that is.

There’s no stopping him either.

“I am currently working at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Bye Bye Birdie,” said NRHEG graduate Ryan Moen. “I will also be in their next production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Under these bright spotlights, Moen feels “completely honored.”

“Every day I go to work I have a blast,” he said. “It's the time of my life.”

Before landing this amazing gig, he worked at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis in Roman Holiday, as part of the ensemble.

“I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and graduated in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre,” he said. “Theatre has been a part of my entire life. I've been involved with it since I was 10 year old.”

His love for theatre actually first budded when he watched the movies The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music.

“I wanted to sing and dance just like the actors in the films did,” he said.

Then, when he starred in his first play titled The Secret Garden, he knew without a doubt that someday his theatre dreams would come true.

“It's still one of my favorite memories to this day,” he said. “At the time, I was 10 years old. It had such an impact on my life and kept me going in theatre.”

Many curtain calls later, he still remains in awe of how great it feels to deliver a performance to an audience. It’s the most gratifying feeling to do that, he says.

“It's an absolute thrill and an honor to make an audience react to a performance,” he said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to perform well in front of a live audience every night.”

He also believes that it’s important for people to make theatre somewhat of a priority. After all, it’s all about the journey taken together as actors and spectators.

“It's fun to shut out all forms of technology and enjoy live theatre performance,” he said. “No performance is the same. I always have to be on my toes.”

This seasoned actor is never through training however. Every rehearsal and performance he learns something new about the acting world.

 “I am beyond grateful for my talent,” he said. “I truly feel blessed and supported, and I am by no means the best at anything I do. I am constantly learning and growing through every show I am in.”

Amidst this continuing education process, the stage calls for something else too. This particular something is what he finds to be the best part about acting.

 “The best part of acting is getting to play, to be someone I’m not,” he said. “Every acting job is a challenge and that is truly important to me and keeps me going.”

According to Moen, a large portion of this acting challenge includes the preparation for a role. Much of this time is spent dedicated to laying the groundwork for a character.

 “I first do my research,” he said. “You can watch anything on YouTube these days, so that's helpful. I get very comfortable with the music (if it's a musical).”

Now, once he establishes the character’s base, it’s time to play. Really, just play.

“The nerves I experience are usually excitement nerves,” he said. “I rarely get very nervous for a performance. It's in my blood. I get too excited to feel nervous!”

He continued, “I act because, for me if brings me such joy. Being someone you're not every night on stage is an absolute blast. I act because it challenges me. I act because I love to express myself in that way. I act because it's my absolute passion.”

Hurdling over these many acting barriers wasn’t accomplished all on his own merit, however. Many directors, professors, voice teachers and colleagues he has met have all contributed to his rousing success.

 “My college professor, Paul Finocchiaro, will forever be my mentor, and a few people I've worked with in the professional world,” he said. “I'm very grateful to my high school director Mark Rud too.”

Lest he forget his parents’ support either.

“First and foremost, I thank my amazing parents for supporting me 100% in all I do,” he said. “My family comes first and they've always put me first. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for them.”

With their support, he has much to look forward to on the acting horizon. But, really, steady work will be enough of a blessing that he will never take for granted.

 “Future goals are to move to New York and try to make it out there,” he said. “I've always thought it would be fun to be a television host, or be on a TV show as well!”

He concluded, “Theatre has enriched my life in so many ways. It has made me more confident, it has opened many doors to bigger and better jobs, I have amazing relationships with people I've met along the way, and it has made me be so open-minded and to always be myself no matter what. It has challenged me in ways I'd never thought were possible.”