Discovering a Family Legacy at the Playhouse

When Catherine Roseth first uncovered a surprising connection between her husband’s family and Duluth Playhouse, it marked the start of an incredible journey through history. Her research revealed that her husband’s grandfather, Harold Paul Schoen, had performed in several productions at the Playhouse during the 1940s, including The Rivals in 1944 and The Shop at Sly Corner in 1949.

The discovery brought excitement and a sense of connection to a man her husband, who was only seven when Harold passed away, knew little about. "To learn about his involvement with theatre added so much depth to who Harold was as a person," Catherine shared. After months of searching, the family finally located a playbill from 1949, which even noted that Harold’s daughter, Mary Lois, had helped build the set for the production.

“For Harold to include Mary Lois in his playbill bio shows how much he valued her involvement,” Catherine said. This discovery was particularly meaningful because Mary Lois herself was passionate about theatre. In the 1980s, she volunteered with the Back in Time Players, portraying a flamboyant actress from the 1910s—a role she likely drew from her deep interest in theatrical history.

As the family delved deeper, they realized Harold and Mary Lois were just the beginning of a long line of theatrical connections. Harold’s great-granddaughter, Hayley Lindbeck, reflected on her own ties to the Duluth theatre community. “Duluth has such a beautiful, vibrant theater community that I have been truly blessed to be a part of. Harold P. Schoen, my great-grandfather, died 24 years before I was born, so it’s crazy to think that he was also part of the same community generations before I was.”

Hayley’s journey in theatre began as a child at Duluth Playhouse, where she attended summer camps and classes. “One of my most cherished Playhouse memories is from a camp where we made our own paper mache masks, collaborated on an original story, and performed it on the Depot stage. It was such a unique experience—I felt like I got to be involved in every step of the creative process.”

As she grew, the Playhouse remained a formative part of Hayley’s life. In middle school, she saw Hello, Dolly! at the Playhouse twice, cementing it as one of her favorite musicals. More recently, she attended Frog and Toad are Friends, a Children’s Theatre production, and was moved by the reactions of the young audience. “There were so many kids completely blown away when the kite finally soared into the air. I know that’s going to be a cherished memory for a whole new generation of theater lovers.”

Earlier this year, Hayley and her coworkers read Murder on the Orient Express before seeing the production at the NorShor Theatre. “We all loved the gorgeous sets and the dramatic, emotional climax of the show,” she shared.

Hayley’s ties to Duluth’s theatre scene extend beyond the Playhouse. In 2019, she appeared as Guildenstern in Wise Fool Theatre’s Hamlet and performed in Wiley and the Hairy Man under the direction of Liz Larson, a mentor whose recent passing left a profound impact. “Wise Fool’s first production of Hamlet, which I saw in my high school Drama as Lit class, ignited my lifelong love of Shakespeare,” Hayley added. This summer, her passion for the Bard led her to join the Minnesota Renaissance Festival’s Shakespeare Guild.

Harold’s great-great-grandson, Leo, is the newest family member to engage with the Playhouse. He recently began attending Youth Education Acting sessions. While Leo is still learning about his great-great-grandfather’s history, the family is thrilled to see him exploring the world of theatre.

Reflecting on the journey of uncovering these ties, Catherine emphasized the importance of digging into family history. “People are so much more than a name,” she said. “Ancestry.com and census records give us statistical details, which are very helpful, but information such as playbills help us celebrate them! Ask questions now—you never know what you may find.”

For the Schoen family, this newfound connection has brought their history to life and sparked new traditions, like attending Playhouse performances. Their story is a beautiful reminder of how places like Duluth Playhouse can preserve and celebrate family legacies, connecting generations through a shared love of the arts.

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