Arts& CULTURE EMERGING ARTIST SAM THEIN all look up to him when It should be the other way "W around my neighbor attending clay classes at the White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) said, "We're old guys barely able to use a wheel, and he's shoulder- deep molding a four foot tall vie!" Fascinated, I had to bunt down this potteryprodigy for myself. How is someone so young so good? Two weeks later. sitting across from Mahtomodi ser Sam Thein, I found my answer "Right now, I do pottery for two hours every day at school." Sam explains, "I'm in AP Pottery, and I'm a teacher's assistant for the beginners. Half my day, I get to myself, the other half, I spend helping others. "Then he comes here [WBCA] for the evening class, his mother, Kari Thein, adds. "It's almost an obsession. Even more impressive, Sam was fresh off of football practice when he met with me. Once his varsity football season's over, he'll shift his focus to basketball While one may imagine sports and art have little in common, Sam actually began pottery because of sports "I tore my meniscus two years ago." Sam recounts,"sowas just sitting with nothing to do. I chose a pottery elective because I thought. Why not learn something new? It just took off from there." While Sam has fully recovered from his injury, he's incorporated pottery around his athletic schedule "I love sports, but I get bored if that's all I'm doing every single day. Pottery's gednesday is very different from a Disney princess"intones Eleanor Cannon Children's Performing Arts' Wednesday Addams and recente in their Beauty and the Beast production), "so all my choices are somewhat weird. "W "I just pretend I'm a dad," shrugs Weston Rabbit, the show's Gomez Addams, "He's more talkative than I am, but his humor's pretty similar to mine "She gets what she wants," smirks Laila Elazab when talking about her character, Morticia Addams, "She's bossy and stubborn, so I really wanted to be her" Though these three young actors have different demeanors and approaches, they all separately said the same words: "B's been really fun." For Cannon, her confidence is higher now. "Belle was my first lead, and I was the youngest of the core cast Here, I'm one of the oldest," Cannon explains. "There's eople would ask incoming gangsters, Why are you so pale? White Bear Lake is a summer town." Allison Lincoln Member and Donor Services Director for the White Bear Lake Historical "P a nice break," Sam expli When I point out that he does pottery as much as he does sports, Sam laughs, conceding the point. "It's become a challenge to myself to see how good I can get... You can create TIGHT-KNIT CAST MAKES ADDAMS FAMILY PRODUCTION SNAPPY excitement, but less nerves this time Elazab mentions the narrow age range as the reason for her comfort on stage. The worked with some of the same people before, so we get along" she expresses Rabbit, meanwhile, trusts the ability of the ensemble saying, "Normal middle school plays aren't very good because there are so many without experience. Here, we have a lot of good singers-really good. Everyone has been in a play before, too, so I'm more comfy on stage. response? "We're the musicians. We're pale because we practice at night." Lincoln admits. "A musician's a great cover Clubs need a band, and how else are you gonna hide a Tommy gun White Bear Lake's 19 mobster scene is infamous something new every single day: One recent challenge Sam Thein has attempted is familiarining himself with an old school kick wheel. "T going to St. John's for college to double major in ceramics and business, but all I've practiced on is electric wheels. I bought a kick wheel and it's really exciting Here, Sam chuckles meekly, but it's been hard building When I ask him which artists inspire him, he says he doesn't have one source. At this, Kar shakes her head, commenting "Most kids are on their phones and Sam is too but he's watching pottery videos for inspiration From these videos, Sam finds different techniques and styles, then uses the ones most comfortable to him. As I'm wrapping up the interview, I ask if he's got a style or a volce yet. Sam shakes his head, unsure, then offers. "I like to make pieces for people's homes, but no one has the same home, so I kinda wanna sell to everyone! Such an opportunity is coming soon. Sam is having a small business Saturday sale at 7 Vines Vineyard on November 25th from 12:30-4:30pm Browse Sam Thein's entire collection at samtheinpottery A trusting ensemble is essential to any good production. but, for director Evan Hell, it's only the foundation. "Since they're middle schoolers-Hell reasons, "I take an educational approach to my directing style Jast Broadway actors, we do tablework: What does your character want? How do they get it? There's never a wrong answer-just ones that don't go in the direction we're doing right now. According to Hell, this encourages the actors to not so much so that the details get a little warped 100 years later. Many townsfolk may be familiar with neither the events nor where they took place Consequently, the Historical Society is taking people on a tour via The Gangster Blus! Hosted by Sara Hanson, The Gangster Bus will drive passengers around the entirety of White Bear Lake (the body of water, not the town, wiseguy, stopping at each community. "Obviously, the lewile Cottage is a big stop," Lincoln notes, "since that's where Ma Barker stayed. There's also going to be a stop at where The Plantation 2023 OCTOBER EVENTS Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA THE LARAMIE PROJECT Where: White Bear Center for the Arts When: Thursday, October 5& Friday, October 7:00 PM Saturday, October 7 at 2:00 PM WBCA will be hosting performances of The Laramie Project by Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts. This project is a traveling five- month educational series for high school actors at Northern Star PERENNIAL, MEDICINAL HERBS FOR THE HOME LANDSCAPE Where: White Bear Center for the Arts When: Tuesday, October 17, 2:00:30 PM There is a wide diversity of culinary and medicinal herbs that we can grow as perennials here in Minnesota. Join local landscape designer Pete Widin for an exploration of these exciting plants. OCTOBER COMMUNITY DAY Where: White Bear Center for the Arts Where Saturday, October 28, 1:00 2:00 PM Join WBCA for a fun family day of fall festivities. The afternoon will include a pumpkin carving contest art experiences, refreshments, and more Costumes are encouraged WHITE BEAR LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTS BUS TOUR WITH A BANG! la notorious mafia hideout] used to be The bus will also stop at Catherine Abbott Park near Dellwood because a notable drive-by shooting occurred there. Then the FBI recently declassified all the documents regarding that time, so now we know what actually happened. "Now armed with as many facts as its subjects had bullets, The Gangster Bus promises to be the bees knees All of these stops and more promise to quench mobster aficionados thirst "We did a promo for the tour in Roseville, and people went nuts," Lincoln marvels, gangster mania is alive and well in the Twin Cities The Gangster Btour runs on Tuesday October 28th, at 10 and 11:30am, rain or (hopefully) shine. Tickets are and can be purchased online at whiteboarhistory. or events Why, then, hasn't The Gangster Bus been a storied annual tradition? Lincoln has an understandable, though frustrating. answer: "So much of this was rumor be so hard on themselves, which, in turn, frees them up to try again. The results have been effective. "It's been such a good strategy," Elazab comments. "It makes me think more about my character, and I have a deeper connection. Cannon especially appreciates this approach because she's so close with her costars. "Tm taking risks as a performer, yes, but I'm willing to take more risks because I'm taking them with friends" Rabbitt, meanwhile, believes it's the whole reason people should see the show, "Every Addams family is different," he points out, "because different people play them. How did we add detail to our Addams family? And how will you react? Find out soon! The Addams Family opens Thursday. October 26th and runs through Sunday, November 5th. Get tickets online at childrensperformingarts.org Arts & CULTURE EMERGING ARTIST SAM THEIN all look up to him when It should be the other way " W around my neighbor attending clay classes at the White Bear Center for the Arts ( WBCA ) said , " We're old guys barely able to use a wheel , and he's shoulder deep molding a four foot tall vie ! " Fascinated , I had to bunt down this potteryprodigy for myself . How is someone so young so good ? Two weeks later . sitting across from Mahtomodi ser Sam Thein , I found my answer " Right now , I do pottery for two hours every day at school . " Sam explains , " I'm in AP Pottery , and I'm a teacher's assistant for the beginners . Half my day , I get to myself , the other half , I spend helping others . " Then he comes here [ WBCA ] for the evening class , his mother , Kari Thein , adds . " It's almost an obsession . Even more impressive , Sam was fresh off of football practice when he met with me . Once his varsity football season's over , he'll shift his focus to basketball While one may imagine sports and art have little in common , Sam actually began pottery because of sports " I tore my meniscus two years ago . " Sam recounts , " sowas just sitting with nothing to do . I chose a pottery elective because I thought . Why not learn something new ? It just took off from there . " While Sam has fully recovered from his injury , he's incorporated pottery around his athletic schedule " I love sports , but I get bored if that's all I'm doing every single day . Pottery's gednesday is very different from a Disney princess " intones Eleanor Cannon Children's Performing Arts ' Wednesday Addams and recente in their Beauty and the Beast production ) , " so all my choices are somewhat weird . " W " I just pretend I'm a dad , " shrugs Weston Rabbit , the show's Gomez Addams , " He's more talkative than I am , but his humor's pretty similar to mine " She gets what she wants , " smirks Laila Elazab when talking about her character , Morticia Addams , " She's bossy and stubborn , so I really wanted to be her " Though these three young actors have different demeanors and approaches , they all separately said the same words : " B's been really fun . " For Cannon , her confidence is higher now . " Belle was my first lead , and I was the youngest of the core cast Here , I'm one of the oldest , " Cannon explains . " There's eople would ask incoming gangsters , Why are you so pale ? White Bear Lake is a summer town . " Allison Lincoln Member and Donor Services Director for the White Bear Lake Historical " P a nice break , " Sam expli When I point out that he does pottery as much as he does sports , Sam laughs , conceding the point . " It's become a challenge to myself to see how good I can get ... You can create TIGHT - KNIT CAST MAKES ADDAMS FAMILY PRODUCTION SNAPPY excitement , but less nerves this time Elazab mentions the narrow age range as the reason for her comfort on stage . The worked with some of the same people before , so we get along " she expresses Rabbit , meanwhile , trusts the ability of the ensemble saying , " Normal middle school plays aren't very good because there are so many without experience . Here , we have a lot of good singers - really good . Everyone has been in a play before , too , so I'm more comfy on stage . response ? " We're the musicians . We're pale because we practice at night . " Lincoln admits . " A musician's a great cover Clubs need a band , and how else are you gonna hide a Tommy gun White Bear Lake's 19 mobster scene is infamous something new every single day : One recent challenge Sam Thein has attempted is familiarining himself with an old school kick wheel . " T going to St. John's for college to double major in ceramics and business , but all I've practiced on is electric wheels . I bought a kick wheel and it's really exciting Here , Sam chuckles meekly , but it's been hard building When I ask him which artists inspire him , he says he doesn't have one source . At this , Kar shakes her head , commenting " Most kids are on their phones and Sam is too but he's watching pottery videos for inspiration From these videos , Sam finds different techniques and styles , then uses the ones most comfortable to him . As I'm wrapping up the interview , I ask if he's got a style or a volce yet . Sam shakes his head , unsure , then offers . " I like to make pieces for people's homes , but no one has the same home , so I kinda wanna sell to everyone ! Such an opportunity is coming soon . Sam is having a small business Saturday sale at 7 Vines Vineyard on November 25th from 12 : 30-4 : 30pm Browse Sam Thein's entire collection at samtheinpottery A trusting ensemble is essential to any good production . but , for director Evan Hell , it's only the foundation . " Since they're middle schoolers - Hell reasons , " I take an educational approach to my directing style Jast Broadway actors , we do tablework : What does your character want ? How do they get it ? There's never a wrong answer - just ones that don't go in the direction we're doing right now . According to Hell , this encourages the actors to not so much so that the details get a little warped 100 years later . Many townsfolk may be familiar with neither the events nor where they took place Consequently , the Historical Society is taking people on a tour via The Gangster Blus ! Hosted by Sara Hanson , The Gangster Bus will drive passengers around the entirety of White Bear Lake ( the body of water , not the town , wiseguy , stopping at each community . " Obviously , the lewile Cottage is a big stop , " Lincoln notes , " since that's where Ma Barker stayed . There's also going to be a stop at where The Plantation 2023 OCTOBER EVENTS Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA , LPT and WBCA THE LARAMIE PROJECT Where : White Bear Center for the Arts When : Thursday , October 5 & Friday , October 7:00 PM Saturday , October 7 at 2:00 PM WBCA will be hosting performances of The Laramie Project by Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts . This project is a traveling five month educational series for high school actors at Northern Star PERENNIAL , MEDICINAL HERBS FOR THE HOME LANDSCAPE Where : White Bear Center for the Arts When : Tuesday , October 17 , 2:00:30 PM There is a wide diversity of culinary and medicinal herbs that we can grow as perennials here in Minnesota . Join local landscape designer Pete Widin for an exploration of these exciting plants . OCTOBER COMMUNITY DAY Where : White Bear Center for the Arts Where Saturday , October 28 , 1:00 2:00 PM Join WBCA for a fun family day of fall festivities . The afternoon will include a pumpkin carving contest art experiences , refreshments , and more Costumes are encouraged WHITE BEAR LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTS BUS TOUR WITH A BANG ! la notorious mafia hideout ] used to be The bus will also stop at Catherine Abbott Park near Dellwood because a notable drive - by shooting occurred there . Then the FBI recently declassified all the documents regarding that time , so now we know what actually happened . " Now armed with as many facts as its subjects had bullets , The Gangster Bus promises to be the bees knees All of these stops and more promise to quench mobster aficionados thirst " We did a promo for the tour in Roseville , and people went nuts , " Lincoln marvels , gangster mania is alive and well in the Twin Cities The Gangster Btour runs on Tuesday October 28th , at 10 and 11:30 am , rain or ( hopefully ) shine . Tickets are and can be purchased online at whiteboarhistory . or events Why , then , hasn't The Gangster Bus been a storied annual tradition ? Lincoln has an understandable , though frustrating . answer : " So much of this was rumor be so hard on themselves , which , in turn , frees them up to try again . The results have been effective . " It's been such a good strategy , " Elazab comments . " It makes me think more about my character , and I have a deeper connection . Cannon especially appreciates this approach because she's so close with her costars . " Tm taking risks as a performer , yes , but I'm willing to take more risks because I'm taking them with friends " Rabbitt , meanwhile , believes it's the whole reason people should see the show , " Every Addams family is different , " he points out , " because different people play them . How did we add detail to our Addams family ? And how will you react ? Find out soon ! The Addams Family opens Thursday . October 26th and runs through Sunday , November 5th . Get tickets online at childrensperformingarts.org