Bagley teacher relishes role in 'The Pirates of Penzance'

BEMIDJI — Jill Thompson-Bakken got her first professional acting job last year when she was cast as Emily Hobbs in the Paul Bunyan Playhouse production of “Elf: The Musical.” Before that, she was a mainstay in her hometown Bagley Community Theater. Thompson-Bakken is back on the Playhouse stage this summer.

She plays the maid Ruth in “The Pirates of Penzance,” which opens a two-week run on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Chief Theater. “Jill has been absolutely wonderful,” said director Philip Hoks.

“Because her character is so removed from the other characters, she gets to interact with everybody, so it’s not one who has to blend in with anyone else’s storyline. Ruth has her own storyline.” Thompson-Bakken, a science teacher at Bagley High School, said her experience in “Elf” helped her prepare for this year’s role.

“(Last year) was very eye-opening,” she said. “I’ve never seen a show come together in nine days. The type of things you have to do before you get here is kind of different from a community theater setting.

We’re essentially memorized before we get here. I knew more of what was going to be expected.” Jill grew up in Karlstad, Minn.

, and earned her education degree at Bemidji State University. She started acting about 10 years ago at the urging of fellow Bagley teacher and theater director Marilyn Hood, who also happens to be the costume designer for the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. “Marilyn gave me the opportunity to play some really .