Profile - Blayn Lemke

Blayn Lemke

Instructor Profile

Meet Blayn Lemke
Instructor of Theatre

Blayn received his master of fine arts in Classical Acting from The National Theatre Conservatory under the leadership of founding member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tony Church.

Question and Answer

  • Question

    What are your most recent productions?

    Answer

    My recent Anoka-Ramsey Community College productions include The Laramie Project, The Miser, The Robber Bridegroom, H.M.S. Pinafore, Major Barbara, House of Blue Leaves, Las Hermanas Padilla and Tartuffe. 

  • Question

    Where have you performed?

    Answer

    I have worked as an actor in many Twin Cities and regional theatres including Frank Theatre, Jungle Theatre, Children's Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, History Theatre and Pillsbury House Theatre (where I am an artistic associate member of the company).  My regional works include The Denver Center Theatre Company and the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

  • Question

    Where else have you taught?

    Answer

    I have been a teaching artist for the Guthrie Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Illusion Theatre and Young Audiences of Minnesota as well as a faculty member of The Blake School. 

  • Question

    Have you served on any advisory boards?

    Answer

    I have served on the Perpich Center for the Arts Best Practices Network. 

  • Question

    Have you received any awards or recognitions?

    Answer

    In 2006, I received a General Mills Champions grant in Nutritional Education to develop a curriculum for high school students combining acting practices and skills in the studying of nutrition and health.

    In 2012, I was selected as an ambassador scholar to Zhoaqing University and spent a month working with Chinese students on making their future classrooms more engaging places for student learning.

    And in 2013, I was honored to be recognized as Honored Faculty for services to the college and the faculty association.

Fun Facts

  • Fun Fact #1

    Blayn  appeared in the 2004 award-winning short film Stalemate as well as the short film Invention. 

  • Fun Fact #2

    Prior to joining Anoka-Ramsey's faculty, Blayn worked for 20 years as an actor, director and playwright. Most recently he co-wrote and directed Cirque de Guerre at Illusion Theatre in 2008. Other Illusion Theatre work includes Mrs. Man of God in 2005.

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  1. Meet Brandon Osero
    Brandon Osero
    Brandon Osero
    Arts & Communication
    AFA in Theatre
    Brandon Osero

    "The Theatre Department offers a warm, welcoming environment. The instructors provide fantastic feedback to their students. There are also wonderful opportunities for all students to be involved in theatre whether it is onstage, backstage, directing or participating in classroom activities."

  2. Meet Neal Skoy
    Neal Skoy
    Neal Skoy
    Arts & Communication
    AFA Theatre
    Neal Skoy

    "The student counselors and academic advisors were a great resource for me. They were a fantastic help in figuring out the standard college confusions. I recommend taking advantage of those wonderful people.

    This college is a gem. The environment, when taken full advantage of, is a remarkable place to learn. It’s close to home and you can’t beat the tuition. If allowed, this place grows on you!

    I enjoyed a lot of GREAT instructors at Anoka-Ramsey. Every subject was led with friendly wisdom and approachable guidance. A school is defined by its instructors and these people are absolutely fantastic.

    The Theater program at Anoka Ramsey is solid. The shows are great. The experiences are unforgettable. The hands are more than capable for giving you the experience you need. You can’t go wrong. I am a bit biased toward the Theater Department. The Theatre instructors are personable, full of passion, and genuinely smart theater people. Also, the Music Department is underrated –no matter how much credit is given to them."

  3. Meet Courtney VonVett
    Courtney Vonvett
    Courtney VonVett
    Arts & Communication
    AFA in Theatre
    Courtney Vonvett

    "The sense of community among the students and faculty. If one of my instructors is having a rough day or has to cancel a class due to an emergency, I know there are a number of students who will go out of their way to email that teacher and make sure things are okay. The instructors will do the exact same thing for the students."

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