Meet the Cast: "Life Could be a Dream" Part III

He's the only North Dakotan on the DPRCA stage this summer. Grand Forks native Drew Relling is entering his junior year at North Dakota State University, and he's ready to reprise the role of Duke Henderson in "Life Could Be a Dream."

Duke is the new guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and a natural singing whiz. He works for Big Stuff Auto, the group's new sponsor, and he is added to the fledgling Dreamers group to turn it into a proper quartet. Duke is definitely the new alpha male, and frontman Denny feels pushed aside and ignored for the seemingly brighter talents Duke brings to the table. Duke is also conflicted about falling in love with the boss's daughter, Lois, the girl that Eugene and Wally are already fighting over.

It's the perfect role for Relling, given the fact that Relling began his theatre career as an elementary school student, performing with the Summer Performing Arts Company (SPA). The program, which is part of the Grand Forks Public School District, offers activities in the summer months, as well as special projects throughout the school year, for students in grades K-11.

He also was active in track and cross country, but in high school he chose performing over running. He then began working with SPA full time during the summers, taking roles in "Annie," "Oklahoma" and "Carousel," but he still wasn't convinced he wanted to pursue acting as a career. Relling's father is a physical therapist, so he considered "following in his footsteps." He went on a tour of NDSU, first visiting the exercise science department. When he saw the theatre department, however, he was enthralled.

Relling spent the past two summers on the payroll at Frost Fire Park, way up along the U.S./Canadian border near Walhalla, N.D. In 2019, he performed the role of Duke in Frost Fire Summer Theatre's production of "Life Could Be a Dream. Then last year, he was part of their pre-recorded cabaret show featuring classic country hits and songs from the '40s and '50s, which was live streamed on Youtube.

Elijah O'Sullivan, a fellow NDSU thespian, who DPRCA patrons know from his performances in "Oklahoma" (2019) and Songs on Central, introduced Relling to New Rockford.

"You should get over there and audition," O'Sullivan advised him, when he heard of the open casting call from DPRCA Artistic Director Elliott Schwab.

Any concerns Relling may have had about being the "stranger" on stage with four Western Illinois University friends were allayed when he started working with them. "This show is a lot of fun," Relling said. "We have good chemistry on stage."

Now entering its third week of performances, "Life Could Be A Dream" is gaining popularity among audiences. It's a must see! Call or text (701) 399-9634 or go online to http://www.dprca.com to book your seats today!