Two English teachers to take the FMCT stage in "Calendar Girls"

Dawn Gunderson, a teacher well known here at Moorhead High, will be performing in the show “Calendar Girls” next month. “Calendar Girls” is centered around women of all ages who are your average, everyday heroes. This show premieres March 16 and runs for two weekends, with 7:30 performances on the 16th and 17th as well as the 23rd and 24th. Two matinee performances at 2 pm will also be offered on March 18 and 25. The show is produced by FMCT and will run at the Stage and Island Park. Gunderson and Dr. Jean Sando, who also teaches at the school, are friends not only during and outside of school, but their characters are friends as well.

“My character, Kris, has a friend, Annie, whose husband has leukemia,” said Gunderson. This production focuses around a group of women called the “WI,” who raise money making a “nude” calendar for a fundraiser. “There aren’t many plays that are focused around women, and I think that is what makes this play stand out,” added Gunderson. Gunderson and Sando have been cocreaters for many shows, which showcases their ability to be strong, driven women. “Sando and I are strong individuals,” said Gunderson. Both teachers work in classrooms for 8 hours a day, and are stars of the stage at night. Gunderson has displayed her acting talents at FMCT for the past three years. Her driven attitude and outstanding personality has allowed for her to stay on the stage. “This is a great organization for me, a theater major, to keep perfecting my art,” said Gunderson. For how hard both of these women work, both day and night, they sure are your average day heroes, working hard to improve students’ skills and inspiring others at night with their talents. “You don’t have to be a star to be a hero,” concluded Gunderson. As this year continues, these two ladies will have been not only stars but also heroes to colleagues and students in everyday life.