Danette Olsen
Strategy Consultant
A lifetime interest in the arts as a social force contributed to my study of theatre at UW-River Falls with an eye on social action theatre techniques to incorporate into my life as a teaching artist. I have designed arts programs for highly at risk populations as well as the general public.
From 2006 to 2013, I served as Executive Director of Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls, WI. A past producer with CLIMB Theatre (2003-2005) and Director of Arts Education with the Arts Council Lake Erie West (1997-2003), I have been home in the St. Croix Valley since 2004. I work now as a strategy consultant and serve as board president of ArtReach St. Croix, am on the board of directors at Festival Theatre and the Polk County Economic Development Corporation, and I’m a task force member of the Heritage Initiative of the St. Croix watershed region.
Along with my partner, Kevin, I make my home in Marine on St. Croix, MN, with our dog Maggie the Malinois, close to the beautiful St. Croix River. As a Teaching Artist, I work independently and I also create teams as needed for larger projects. Residencies in schools, communities, and libraries are common, however, some of my favorite work is to design and implement professional development programs that use the arts as a teaching tool. I am happy to meet with potential clients for a no obligation conversation about potential programs! Check out www.danetteolsen.com as well as www.trilliumway.com for additional information.
