Meet Director Torsti

I love musical theater. I strive to create a space where people of all ages can find self-expression, friendship, fun, challenge, and beauty—and on top of it all, work together to create a special, magical show. I love watching the many sides of a community come together to make these wonderful experiences happen, from actors to volunteers to orchestra members to backstage folks. I hope the warmth of these experiences will be treasures everyone involved can look back upon with happiness whenever they wish.

Further, I take great care in creating original Inspirations Theater shows that serve two purposes: to be interesting, engaging, challenging, and fun; and for the shows to be entertaining for adults and children alike.

Past Theater Work

(A detailed list of my past directing, acting, and pit orchestra work is at the bottom of this page.) 

I have directed or co-directed ~thirty productions, composed the songs for five musicals and one short play-with-music, and written or adapted scripts for several shows. I have myself acted in several shows and played in the pit band for many musicals, often as musical director / conductor. I have taught drama part-time for twelve years, teaching basic and advanced acting, improvisational theater, musical theater, and more traditional drama.

• Here are some impressions others have had of me in our youth production work Torsti as Teacher / Director

Other Past Work / Volunteerism

I have taught middle school history, math, science, English, music, concert band, basic circus arts, and movement education. I have spent summers on Forest Service trail and wilderness crews, taken teams of educators on environmental education projects, and led low-ropes courses for Americorps volunteers. I've taught math overseas in Nepal with the Peace Corps, been a semi-professional dogsitter, and played piano for weddings and at the Portland International Airport. 

Education / Training

I initially received a B.A. in Education and Mathematics with a certification to teach Grades 7-12. Later in life I spent 2.5 years in teacher training at the Micha-el Institute for Waldorf Education. I have studied drama as part of a teacher-training program, and taken a number of drama classes from Acting to Improvisational Theater. I have training in conflict resolution and Non-Violent Communication.

Just For Fun

I once decided to take four months to walk across (parts of) the country. Wherever I live I usually have visitation rights at a half dozen houses to play with the dogs who live there. I've played piano at the Portland International Airport, played with 300 other low brass for TubaChristmas concerts, and for three years played keyboard and trombone in a rock-and-roll band. 

Directing

All the shows I've done are new adaptations I wrote or co-wrote based on original works by varied authors, except for Arsenic and Old Lace

2014 - 2024 ~30 productions for Inspirations Theater
2013   Arsenic & Old Lace
2012   Ramayana   (Musical)
2011   The Twins of Nottingham Downs
2010   Midsummer Night's Dream   (Musical)
2008   The Boy Who Kept A Secret   (Musical)
2007   East o' The Sun & West o' The Moon   (Play-with-music)

Acting

2013   Arsenic and Old Lace
2011   Guys and Dolls
2006   Two Gentlemen of Verona
2002   Puss in Boots
1999   Barbie Get Real

Pit Orchestra (**also music director/conductor)

2014-2024 ~30 productions for Inspirations Theater
Piano, Accordion, Baritone, Drums
2014  West Side Story — Baritone Horn
2013  Beauty and the Beast — Accordion
2012  South Pacific — Baritone / Trombone
2012  ** Ramayana — Piano / Baritone / Recorder
2011  The Boyfriend — Baritone / Trombone
2010  Edwin Drood — Baritone
2010  ** Midsummer Night's Dream — Piano / Trombone
2008  ** The Boy Who Kept A Secret — Piano / Accordion