GREAT taught Casey Schmoll how to push himself just a little bit further on the stage and in life.
Think there's no such thing as a mouse that's six feet, four inches tall? Then it's time to meet Casey Schmoll! Animated and full of youthful energy, this 21-year-old actor and pre-dentistry student got his start with GREAT as Mr. Bundles in Annie after moving to Clearwater in the fourth grade. Casey quickly became involved in GREAT at the Clearwater Playhouse both in its renovation and performing onstage. Since then, he’s been involved in more than 60 GREAT productions. His two favorite roles? The Wizard of Oz's Scarecrow and the mischievous Mouse in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
Casey and his sister Katie have appeared in many GREAT shows together and are so interconnected that they share the same birthday, just two years apart. He recalls their childhood and how pretend play shaped their shared interest in theatre. As young children they spent their days on their family’s Willmar farm, dressing up and pretending to be in movies. He says of their relationship: “I don’t think there have been many productions one of us has been involved with that the other didn’t help out with. We have a lot in common even though sometimes we really hate to admit it.”
Casey has been involved with GREAT’s summer camp program for seven years, three of those as a paid instructor. He also works at TGI Fridays as a server and is a senior at SCSU this year. His favorite part about acting for GREAT is getting a reaction from young kids, especially during school matinee performances. He also enjoys signing autographs where he gets the chance to meet young patrons up close. His favorite actors include the Wicked and Glee star, Idina Menzel as well as Meryl Streep, George Clooney and Sally Field, all for their versatility and ability to make just about any role believable. On the music side, he looks up to pop sensation Lady Gaga for her bold approach and over-the-top self confidence. Casey’s favorite all-time musical? You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for its unique portrayal of childhood innocence and its lighthearted humor.
Besides GREAT, the actor is part of the Speech and Debate Team at St. Cloud State University, where he has won several state and national awards in competition. He also participates in the Honors Club and the Concert, Chamber, and Men’s Choirs. When he’s not busy in a show, studying or working, he enjoys hanging out with friends, sledding, running, skiing, swimming and all things active. An athlete in high school, he says GREAT taught him more about teamwork than any sport’s activity could have. Acting in GREAT shows also instilled a sense of confidence in him and a desire to push himself just a little bit harder. Most importantly, he stressed, “It taught me time management skills and gave me the chance to meet kids I didn’t go to school with.”
This September, Casey’s taking his Dental Admissions Test (Break a leg, Casey!) and plans to graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical science, with an emphasis in pre-dentistry and a minor in gerontology from St. Cloud State University. His long-term career plan is to continue on to dentistry school in a warmer region of the U.S. where he will work toward becoming an orthodontist. Casey looks forward to incorporating his passion for entertaining young people into his work and will continue to pursue new theatre opportunities in the future.
Through all of his years as an actor, Casey has no doubt in his mind that the Great River Educational Arts Theatre, even in its beginning stages, was always meant to be a part of his life. Without the passion, commitment and drive of every person behind the scenes and on the stages, Casey’s only chance to perform may have been on his family’s farm. To that he says, “I’m glad I decided to do a bit more than just pretend.”