Performing Arts Hall of Fame "Legacy Award"
Hall of Fame Legacy Award 2024 - Sandra Sandberg, Theater Costumer
The Rosemount High School Performing Arts Department is excited to announce that Sandra Sandberg is to be the recipient of its 2024 Hall of Fame Legacy Award. The award will be presented to Ms. Sandberg this Friday, April 26th at the 7:00 p.m. production of “Mean Girls” in the RHS Performing Arts Center. This award is given in recognition of Ms. Sandbergs contribution to our RHS theater and performing arts program. Her leadership and service as a costumer and educator have been instrumental in the success of our theater and performing arts programs.
Retired from ISD196 in 2016, Ms. Sandberg spent 32 years as a successful public-school English and German teacher, while supporting theater productions with costume design, creation, and alteration. Sandy is especially proud of her work at Rosemount High School (29 years) and Mt. Iron-Buhl High School (3 years) – starting a German language program, teaching German, English and Honors English, and creating and running a summer school honors program.
Ms. Sandberg received her Master's Degree in Education from the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2008 and her Bachelor's Degree in English and German from Saint Catherine University in 1980.
The first show at Rosemount High School that Sandy Sandberg assisted with was “The Hobbit,” with LaRae Ellingson as the costumer in 1989. Since that production, she has costumed over 80 productions at RHS.
Before the current theater was established, Ms. Sandberg assisted with productions in the “Little Theater,” which has since been repurposed into practice rooms. The Little Theater was indeed small, prompting them to relocate sets and costumes to Apple Valley or Eastview for musicals. Once the new theater was constructed, the need to transport shows diminished, though Sandy vividly recalled moving all the costumes from the basement storage up to the new costume shop, with invaluable assistance from her dedicated student assistants Sarah and Deena.
As a costumer, Sandy's experience extended beyond high school productions, as she had assisted the costumers at Minnesota Opera for several of their productions. More recently she led the costuming for the American opera premiere of Sir Paul Mealor's “Gelert,” which drew from a Welsh folk tale. This opportunity was particularly meaningful for Sandy, and she cherished the chance to collaborate with Sir Paul.
Her passion lies in costuming period pieces, relishing projects like “Guys and Dolls” and “The Triangle Factory Fire,” among others. Interacting with students and translating concepts into tangible costumes brings her immense satisfaction. Conversely, the arduous task of gathering, laundering, and reorganizing costumes post-production has proven to be her least favorite aspect, especially given the limited storage in the RHS costume shop.
Sandy would like to thank her family for their unwavering support, particularly her husband, Steve, who understands the demands of her artistic pursuits. Her children Kate and Erik who accompanied her on numerous fabric store outings during their early years—a testament to their enduring support. She also has fond memories of times spent with her late mother and sisters, Diane and Kathy, who assisted with tackling the OnStage costume workload here at RHS.
Hall of Fame Legacy Award 2021 - Steve Olsen, Band Director
The Rosemount High School Performing Arts Department is excited to announce that Steve Olsen is to be the recipient of its 2021 Hall of Fame Legacy Award. The award will be presented to Mr. Olsen this Sunday, March 13th at the Rosemount Community Band and RHS Wind Ensemble Concert at 2:00 p.m. in the RHS Performing Arts Center. This award is given as recognition of Mr. Olsen’s contribution to our RHS instrumental music and performing arts program. His leadership and service as a musician and educator were influential in the growth and success of our concert and marching band program.
Retired from ISD196 in 2018, Steve Olsen spent 37 years as a successful public-school band director. Steve is especially proud of his work at Rosemount High School (18 years), Eden Prairie High School (12 years) and as a 5th grade beginning band director – starting many of the current Rosemount High School Band members.
Steve received his Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota in 1995 and his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education/Trumpet Performance from Concordia College in 1981.
Steve’s leadership in the area of instrumental music education is felt throughout ISD196, the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and the State of Minnesota. Steve is a charter member of the Minnesota Band Directors Association, a past Vice-President of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and has held leadership roles in the Minnesota State High School League. Steve is the recipient of the 2005 “Impact Award for Distinguished Teaching” from the University of Minnesota, was inducted into Phi Beta Mu (International Honorary Fraternity of Band Directors) in 2006, inducted into the “Youth in Music Marching Arts Hall of Fame” in 2016 and is the 2017 Schmitt Music Educator of the Year.
Steve is active as an adjudicator/clinician for instrument music contests and festivals. He is also an active performer with the Genesis Jazz Orchestra and Rosemount Community Band playing trumpet.
Steve and his wife Natalie (who is also a retired ISD196 and Farmington Band Director) live in Apple Valley and are the proud parents of three adult children and five adorable grandchildren.