Paul Hustoles

Paul J. Hustoles served as Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Minnesota State University, Mankato for 35 years, where he was also Artistic Director of Highland Summer Theatre from 1985 to 2020. He retired after HST 2020 (cancelled due to COVID!) and is now a Faculty Emeritus. Paul received his BFA from Wayne State University, his MA from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. He completed directing his 235th play (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) in March of 2020, having produced over 625 shows in his career. Paul is the proud recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Gold Medallion of Excellence Award, is a past Chair of KCACTF Region V and directed the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finals at the Kennedy Center four times. His production of The Odyssey was selected to be performed at the National Festival in 2011. In 2012, was he named a Distinguished Faculty Scholar of Minnesota State Mankato. Paul came out of retirement to direct the previously COVID cancelled, Mamma Mia! in the spring of 2021. He is thrilled to be coming back to direct his “official farewell” production of Something Rotten in the spring of 2023. Dr. Hustoles was just reappointed by Governor Time Walz to serve on the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, representing Congressional District 1 until 2026. His beloved wife is Mary Jo and he has two children and two grandchildren.