2025 Arts& CULTURE EMERGING ARTIST: MALLORY CLEM BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER By the time Mallory Clem enters White Bear Lake Area High School as a freshman this fall, she will have been under the spotlight in three different musicals. In April, she played Delia Deetz in White Bear Lake Combined Middle Schools' production of "Beetlejuice Jr." In June, she Mallory Clem played Glinda in Children's Performing Arts' (CPA) production of "Wizard of Oz." Now, she plays Regina George, the queen bee and antagonist in "Mean Girls." Five years ago, however, she was not allowed on stage, much less front and center. "Otter Lake Elementary school works with Ashland (Productions), and every year, they put on a musical..." recalled Clem before laughing while covering her face. "The first time I got my costume, and I was performing with everyone, I went home, I laid in my mom's bed and I'm like, 'I think I like this... I want to do this for a while."" That production was canceled due to the COVID pandemic a month later. Like many, Clem was scared to interact with others once quarantine was lifted. "After COVID, I had extreme social anxiety and now look where I am," she compared, motioning to an all-cast dance rehearsal. "Theater has definitely helped me bump out of that COVID stuff." Once theaters reopened, Clem not only signed up for a redo of her school's production, but she also auditioned for any opportunity she could after that. "Seventh grade summer, I decided to do a summer full of musicals," Clem explained. "Then, I auditioned for 'Beetlejuice,' and I had this newfound confidence... It wasn't a full year since I had auditioned, it was two months." Clem also credits CPA for boosting her theatrical skills. "Anybody can come to CPA, and it will change you for the better. I tell everyone, 'You want to get a a better role, or you wanna you wanna improve a little bit? Go to CPA." In the immediate future, Clem plans to try out for White Bear Lake's fall high- school musical, "Cinderella." Beyond that, Clem has plenty of time to figure out a career path-though she knows that, whatever goals she sets, the skills she learned in theater will help her get there. "Theater will teach you a so many things being proud of yourself, accepting an audience and just talking... It is crazy how much theater can change a person," Clem said. BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER hildren's Performing Arts' (CPA) production of "Mean Girls" has an ironic feature: Everyone in the cast is nice to one another. Cast members believe that the reason they can be friends while performing the show's material-an acidic comedy about a transfer student who gets roped into a revenge scheme to infiltrate and overthrow her new school's queen bee-is because of trust built on past relationships. "I don't think there's a lot of people in this cast that don't know each other," said Audriana Walsh-Smith, who plays Janice Ian, the girl who hatches the revenge plot. 'MEAN GIRLS' CAST CLICKS "It's very close-knit. We're all willing to help each other." Another likely reason this cast gels is because, unlike the head of a clique, director Vanessa Agnes is collaborative rather than authoritative. "I feel like when you are so hard and unyielding, even if that's coming across as your passion for it, it can close the door into working with your actors..." explained Agnes. "Yeah, here's a direction, but I want to see where you take it and run with it and go." One of Agnes' directions for each cast member to bring their lived experiences to their roles. Mallory Clem, an incoming freshman who plays Regina George, the show's queen bee, approaches her relationship with the protagonist like she would her little brother. "It's kind of nice to tune into that sassier side," she said. Jackie Gaalaas, an East Ridge High School junior who plays Cady Heron, the transfer student, is fittingly the only major cast member new to CPA. "I relate to (Cady) especially being new to a theater company, just trying to make sure I fit in with everybody.... just being an excited teenager and then getting into a space and it not being exactly how you thought it would be," she said. Gaalaas differentiated, though, that her experience at CPA is merely different than other theater companies, while Cady Heron's experience quickly becomes tyrannical. Walsh-Smith, meanwhile, is tapping into the hurt that cliques can cause. "I was betrayed... during middle school, and Janice is betrayed twice by Regina and Cady. She has so much anger and trust issues." Gaalaas believes that "Mean Girls" is about moving past anger and seeing the other person in a friendship. "Everybody is their own person. Everybody has a good side," Gaalaas stated. Clem, however, views that statement from the other side of the coin: "Everybody. Everybody is a mean girl. Even the guys." Children's Performing Arts production of "Mean Girls" runs Aug. 8-10 at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center. For tickets and details, visit chil drensperformingartsmn.org. 'ART IN THE PARK' DRAWS KIDS TOGETHER BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER elly Tokay, an elementary art teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin school district for over 30 years, stepped away from her job because of a breast-cancer diagnosis. After over a year of treatment, Tokay felt called to reach children who did not have access to elementary art programs. Since that decision, Tokay has taught elementary art over extended stays in both Spain and Jamaica. This summer, though, Tokay is teaching at Spruce Park in White Bear Lake. A White Bear resident for 22 years, Tokay's own children did not have access to art at their elementary schools; the district has only recently begun offering half-year programs for that age group. For the other half of the year and during the summer, however, opportunities are difficult to find. Therefore, Tokay decided to fill the gap. "Some of the neighbor kids kept asking me to do an art project with them," explained Tokay. "I thought, 'Why don't we do art in the park?"" From there, Tokay applied for and received a grant from the Minnesota Regional Art Council. Now, every ST A clay landscape piece. Children attending Art in the Park work on projects like these every Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday and Thursday, Tokay runs a free (with advanced signup) art class for kids ages 4-12. "I really wanted to give back to my community that I love," said Tokay. "After 30 years of teaching, I know how art can change students' lives and help them with mental health and confidence." Art in the Park's lessons change depending on the day. One Tuesday, for instance, the children made a clay textured landscape. "We used carving tools and used different textures to press into the clay," Tokay explained. "We looked at two different landscapes that are at the Minneapolis Institute of Art... They noticed that it showed space in art, so things that are further away are smaller. Things that are closer are PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED A watercolor painting made during an Art in the Park class. bigger." August's lessons will revolve around clay coil pots and seascapes. No matter the project, Tokay finds the kids' reactions to be her favorite part, especially if this is a child's first art class. "One little girl, she's a homeschooler, gave me a card that said, 'You're the best. You're my favorite art teacher," Tokay said before laughing, "I thought it was so funny because I'm the only art teacher she's ever had." To have your child participate in Art in the Park, register themnvangoghproject.net. Spots are limited. Tokay plans to open registration for next summer's classes in mid-March 2026. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THEATER SUMMER CAMPS All camps take place at Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake ADVENTURES IN CANDYLAND Grades: K-2 Dates: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 4-8 Details: Journey through the Peppermint Forest and cross the Gumdrop Pass in this weeklong adventure through CandyLand. Students will spend time reading books, telling stories and creating characters. Friends and family. are invited for a special showcase at the end of the week. More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs. SOLVE IT! CAMPGROUND KIDS MYSTERIES Grades: 3-6 Dates: 1-4 p.m, Aug. 4-8 Details: Grab your detective hats-it's time to crack the case. In this weeklong camp inspired by "The Campground Kids" series by C.R. Fulton, students will dive into exciting mysteries while exploring outdoor spaces in White Bear Lake. Friends and family are invited for a special showcase at the end of the week. STORYTELLING THROUGH DANCE Grades: 3-7 Dates: 12:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Aug. 4-15 Where: Shoreview YMCA, 3760 Lexington Ave. N., Shoreview Details: Let your child's creativity take center stage in this two-week camp that uses movement, dance and imagination to bring stories to life. This program is perfect for any child who loves to move, imagine and create. No dance experience necessary. More information at lakeshoreplayers.org/theatre-education. ONE-ACT PLAY: 'CAP'N HOOK' Grades: 7-12 Dates: 12:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 11-15 Details: Students will rehearse and perform the one-act play "Cap'n Hook" by Jason Witter in just one week. Through a series of flashbacks, Hook shows the audience Neverland from the pirates' point of view. Friends and family are invited to come to see the final performance at the end of the week. More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs. 2025 Arts & CULTURE EMERGING ARTIST : MALLORY CLEM BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER By the time Mallory Clem enters White Bear Lake Area High School as a freshman this fall , she will have been under the spotlight in three different musicals . In April , she played Delia Deetz in White Bear Lake Combined Middle Schools ' production of " Beetlejuice Jr. " In June , she Mallory Clem played Glinda in Children's Performing Arts ' ( CPA ) production of " Wizard of Oz . " Now , she plays Regina George , the queen bee and antagonist in " Mean Girls . " Five years ago , however , she was not allowed on stage , much less front and center . " Otter Lake Elementary school works with Ashland ( Productions ) , and every year , they put on a musical ... " recalled Clem before laughing while covering her face . " The first time I got my costume , and I was performing with everyone , I went home , I laid in my mom's bed and I'm like , ' I think I like this ... I want to do this for a while . " " That production was canceled due to the COVID pandemic a month later . Like many , Clem was scared to interact with others once quarantine was lifted . " After COVID , I had extreme social anxiety and now look where I am , " she compared , motioning to an all - cast dance rehearsal . " Theater has definitely helped me bump out of that COVID stuff . " Once theaters reopened , Clem not only signed up for a redo of her school's production , but she also auditioned for any opportunity she could after that . " Seventh grade summer , I decided to do a summer full of musicals , " Clem explained . " Then , I auditioned for ' Beetlejuice , ' and I had this newfound confidence ... It wasn't a full year since I had auditioned , it was two months . " Clem also credits CPA for boosting her theatrical skills . " Anybody can come to CPA , and it will change you for the better . I tell everyone , ' You want to get a a better role , or you wanna you wanna improve a little bit ? Go to CPA . " In the immediate future , Clem plans to try out for White Bear Lake's fall high- school musical , " Cinderella . " Beyond that , Clem has plenty of time to figure out a career path - though she knows that , whatever goals she sets , the skills she learned in theater will help her get there . " Theater will teach you a so many things being proud of yourself , accepting an audience and just talking ... It is crazy how much theater can change a person , " Clem said . BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER hildren's Performing Arts ' ( CPA ) production of " Mean Girls " has an ironic feature : Everyone in the cast is nice to one another . Cast members believe that the reason they can be friends while performing the show's material - an acidic comedy about a transfer student who gets roped into a revenge scheme to infiltrate and overthrow her new school's queen bee - is because of trust built on past relationships . " I don't think there's a lot of people in this cast that don't know each other , " said Audriana Walsh - Smith , who plays Janice Ian , the girl who hatches the revenge plot . ' MEAN GIRLS ' CAST CLICKS " It's very close - knit . We're all willing to help each other . " Another likely reason this cast gels is because , unlike the head of a clique , director Vanessa Agnes is collaborative rather than authoritative . " I feel like when you are so hard and unyielding , even if that's coming across as your passion for it , it can close the door into working with your actors ... " explained Agnes . " Yeah , here's a direction , but I want to see where you take it and run with it and go . " One of Agnes ' directions for each cast member to bring their lived experiences to their roles . Mallory Clem , an incoming freshman who plays Regina George , the show's queen bee , approaches her relationship with the protagonist like she would her little brother . " It's kind of nice to tune into that sassier side , " she said . Jackie Gaalaas , an East Ridge High School junior who plays Cady Heron , the transfer student , is fittingly the only major cast member new to CPA . " I relate to ( Cady ) especially being new to a theater company , just trying to make sure I fit in with everybody .... just being an excited teenager and then getting into a space and it not being exactly how you thought it would be , " she said . Gaalaas differentiated , though , that her experience at CPA is merely different than other theater companies , while Cady Heron's experience quickly becomes tyrannical . Walsh - Smith , meanwhile , is tapping into the hurt that cliques can cause . " I was betrayed ... during middle school , and Janice is betrayed twice by Regina and Cady . She has so much anger and trust issues . " Gaalaas believes that " Mean Girls " is about moving past anger and seeing the other person in a friendship . " Everybody is their own person . Everybody has a good side , " Gaalaas stated . Clem , however , views that statement from the other side of the coin : " Everybody . Everybody is a mean girl . Even the guys . " Children's Performing Arts production of " Mean Girls " runs Aug. 8-10 at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center . For tickets and details , visit chil drensperformingartsmn.org . ' ART IN THE PARK ' DRAWS KIDS TOGETHER BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER elly Tokay , an elementary art teacher in the Anoka - Hennepin school district for over 30 years , stepped away from her job because of a breast - cancer diagnosis . After over a year of treatment , Tokay felt called to reach children who did not have access to elementary art programs . Since that decision , Tokay has taught elementary art over extended stays in both Spain and Jamaica . This summer , though , Tokay is teaching at Spruce Park in White Bear Lake . A White Bear resident for 22 years , Tokay's own children did not have access to art at their elementary schools ; the district has only recently begun offering half - year programs for that age group . For the other half of the year and during the summer , however , opportunities are difficult to find . Therefore , Tokay decided to fill the gap . " Some of the neighbor kids kept asking me to do an art project with them , " explained Tokay . " I thought , ' Why don't we do art in the park ? " " From there , Tokay applied for and received a grant from the Minnesota Regional Art Council . Now , every ST A clay landscape piece . Children attending Art in the Park work on projects like these every Tuesday and Thursday . Tuesday and Thursday , Tokay runs a free ( with advanced signup ) art class for kids ages 4-12 . " I really wanted to give back to my community that I love , " said Tokay . " After 30 years of teaching , I know how art can change students ' lives and help them with mental health and confidence . " Art in the Park's lessons change depending on the day . One Tuesday , for instance , the children made a clay textured landscape . " We used carving tools and used different textures to press into the clay , " Tokay explained . " We looked at two different landscapes that are at the Minneapolis Institute of Art ... They noticed that it showed space in art , so things that are further away are smaller . Things that are closer are PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED A watercolor painting made during an Art in the Park class . bigger . " August's lessons will revolve around clay coil pots and seascapes . No matter the project , Tokay finds the kids ' reactions to be her favorite part , especially if this is a child's first art class . " One little girl , she's a homeschooler , gave me a card that said , ' You're the best . You're my favorite art teacher , " Tokay said before laughing , " I thought it was so funny because I'm the only art teacher she's ever had . " To have your child participate in Art in the Park , register themnvangoghproject.net . Spots are limited . Tokay plans to open registration for next summer's classes in mid - March 2026 . REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THEATER SUMMER CAMPS All camps take place at Hanifl Performing Arts Center , 4941 Long Ave. , White Bear Lake ADVENTURES IN CANDYLAND Grades : K - 2 Dates : 9 : 30-11 : 30 a.m. Aug. 4-8 Details : Journey through the Peppermint Forest and cross the Gumdrop Pass in this weeklong adventure through CandyLand . Students will spend time reading books , telling stories and creating characters . Friends and family . are invited for a special showcase at the end of the week . More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs . SOLVE IT ! CAMPGROUND KIDS MYSTERIES Grades : 3-6 Dates : 1-4 p.m , Aug. 4-8 Details : Grab your detective hats - it's time to crack the case . In this weeklong camp inspired by " The Campground Kids " series by C.R. Fulton , students will dive into exciting mysteries while exploring outdoor spaces in White Bear Lake . Friends and family are invited for a special showcase at the end of the week . STORYTELLING THROUGH DANCE Grades : 3-7 Dates : 12 : 30-4 : 30 p.m. Monday - Friday , Aug. 4-15 Where : Shoreview YMCA , 3760 Lexington Ave. N. , Shoreview Details : Let your child's creativity take center stage in this two - week camp that uses movement , dance and imagination to bring stories to life . This program is perfect for any child who loves to move , imagine and create . No dance experience necessary . More information at lakeshoreplayers.org/theatre-education . ONE - ACT PLAY : ' CAP'N HOOK ' Grades : 7-12 Dates : 12 : 30-4 : 30 p.m. Aug. 11-15 Details : Students will rehearse and perform the one - act play " Cap'n Hook " by Jason Witter in just one week . Through a series of flashbacks , Hook shows the audience Neverland from the pirates ' point of view . Friends and family are invited to come to see the final performance at the end of the week . More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs .