By Glen Vaughn-Petersen
Avila University alumnus Tyler Lindquist is coming to the Kansas City Fringe Festival with his original show Mind-Set. Lindquist, an actor, educator, director and artist, tells his story through this play, which was originally created as his senior project at Avila with the help of Tinna Rivera, co-director and lighting director, and Matt Schwader Harbor, Avila’s director of performance studies.
“I decided I was going to tell my four-year story through monologues, with excerpts explaining what those monologues mean to me,” says Lindquist of the play.
His theatrical journey began in his junior year of high school, obtaining a role in The Addams Family instead of returning to wrestling after a shoulder injury. From there, with every show he participated in, visions of his future began to change.
“I just decided that I wanted to go to college for theatre because I found a love for it,” says Lindquist of his decision to double major in both acting and theatre education. “I found a love for performing and for teaching. ”
His co-director, Rivera, is part of the reason he chose Avila in the first place, first welcoming him during a high school night when he was a senior in high school. They’ve been friends and colleagues ever since.
During his time there, Lindquist was in plays both professional and educational. He was encouraged by fellow actors Meredith Wolfe and JT Nagel, both KC Fringe veterans. To those unaware, the Kansas City Fringe Festival is the largest celebration of arts and culture in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Now in its 18th year, the festival continues its mission to attract diverse people, nurture artists, and strengthen the economy. Over its two-week run-time, the Fringe Festival will have 277 performances at 13 venues, and include various visual arts exhibitions and events showcasing the work of local, national and international artists.
In the coming years, Lindquist plans to obtain his Master of Fine Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design. “Theatre isn’t just about performing and being on a stage. It’s about gaining confidence in yourself and being able to communicate and advocate for yourself,” he says. When coming to see Mind-Set, he challenges his audience to “stay present with the use of a story about setting goals through obstacles and triumphs.”
Mind-Set is directed by Tyler Lindquist and Tinna Rivera. It will be at the Whim Space at 415 Prospect Ave., opening on July 21. Available dates for this weekend are Friday, July 28 at 10 pm and Saturday, July 29, at 8:30 pm.
Visit kcfringe.org for dates, ticketing details and more.