It would be easy to say that actor Monty Hays is carrying the family torch.
“I’m a little conflicted,” said Monty, thinking out loud. “If I’m carrying the torch, does that mean it was already lit and just passed on to me? I would say that I am carrying it in my own way.”
Monty (they/them) is both lighting and carrying a flame of their own, starring as Emma Nolan, the lead in Chanhassen Dinner Theater’s “The Prom,” a musical production running through June 10.
This Broadway hit won a Tony for best musical score and is now a Netflix film. At Chanhassen, the non-binary Monty plays Emma, a lesbian in a small Indiana town who only wants to take her girlfriend to prom. A troupe of self-absorbed Broadway stars arrive to rally behind the cause. Reactions, good and bad, ensue.
This is Monty’s Chanhassen debut, but they are no stranger to the Twin Cities’ theater scene. A recent graduate of Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts, previous roles include those at Children’s Theatre Company, Artistry and in the Guthrie’s A Christmas Carol.
At 20, Monty Hays is the youngest member of a Northeast Minneapolis performing arts family, with a brother, parents, aunts and grandparents who are musicians, writers or dancers.
Katy Hays, mother and vocalist, says, “It’s Monty’s time to shine.”
A Performing Arts Family
The Hays family moved to Northeast Minneapolis 23 years ago and bought a house near Stanley’s Bar.
Katy Hays describes her brood as “…eclectic, perhaps eccentric. The kids didn’t have normal parents. We were constantly going to rehearsals. Great Grandma was a dancer—‘Gotta keep them limber,’ she advised.”
“I’ve been doing music and theater for most of my life,” Monty recalled. “When I was 6 or 7 I thought, ‘I can do this too, it’s not just for adults.’”
Monty’s mentor and favorite person is brother Joseph Carl Hays. Some of his first gigs were at Art-A-Whirl®. Now, Joey is a 28-year-old, in-demand drummer who writes songs and plays bass and guitar. He just returned from a U.K. tour as part of the opening act for hot band Samia.
“Joey is my biggest inspiration,” Monty enthuses. “Even if we do very different things, we both care about each other’s craft. He is 6 feet tall and I’m 5 feet 2, but we see each other as equals.”
Katy Hays said Monty’s passion for performing was clear early on. “Monty was incredibly precocious–definitely spicey. When they were in the third grade, I got an email asking me to sign them up for a Children’s Theater audition. A week or so later, I got a follow-up email, just to make sure I did it!”
Katy sings with Uncle Katy, a rock band which can be heard this May 20 during Art-A-Whirl at Lisa Elias’ art studio stage. Katy also performs with Janis Joplin and other tribute shows, and in the long running ’80s hits revue “Power Balladz,” which coincidentally can still be seen at Chanhassen.
Katy and husband Beau Hays met while performing in Tony and Tina’s Wedding. Beau now focuses more on writing, with two books to his credit. He was also the screenwriter for Vampires! Horror! a campy musical turned film that drew heavily on Northeast talent.
Summer Arts Camp
Some of Monty’s first performing experiences were at home during Katy Hays’ Summer Arts Camps. The enterprise began with one, 4-day-long camp each summer. Inspired by the TV show Glee, the campers would learn 8-10 songs with choreography and present a showcase in the Hays’ garage. Most of the participants are from the neighborhood. “It’s very bare bones,” described Katy. “We’ve met a lot of cool people through our kids.”
Katy relishes seeing Monty on stage. “Anytime we see our kids doing what they love and being so good at it – it’s wonderful. They know how to be kind, how to take direction and come up with creative solutions.”
The Prom
“The Prom” role is special for Monty. “I’ve never felt this connected to a character before. Having a queer story on a main stage is huge. It’s a beautiful love story that doesn’t perpetuate stereotypes. Carrying this on stage is being super vulnerable. I hope this show opens up conversations within families. My parents are my biggest supporters. I started coming out when I was very young. But they understood and I am beyond thankful.”
Director Michael Brindisi said, “When Monty auditioned for The Prom, we hit the jackpot. There is a LOT of great talent in our market and Monty represents the absolute best of the young talent. Monty has a great work ethic as well. I can’t imagine a stronger ‘Emma,’ and we are so fortunate. We clicked from day one, and it was a joy working with them throughout the production process.”
Northeast is Good for Creativity
When asked if Northeast has been a positive background, Katy says, “Good God, yes – it’s a good place for creative people. We love the community. People here see the arts as a true vocation.”
Monty said they haven’t run into any issues in Northeast. “My family and I surround ourselves with people who are comfortable with ‘Be who you are. Love who you want.’”
“We are all learning,” adds Katy Hays. “We have a very supportive family; my 80-year-old mom has worked really hard. We live in a very progressive city, but I do worry about Monty if they go somewhere that’s not so open.”
When asked what lies ahead, Monty hesitates. “I’m dedicated to a lot of different things – which is really hard to balance. I’m inspired by my dad and writing. I love making things –textiles, crocheting and clothing. Theater and musical theater will always be a core part of me. Even if I take a break, I will still be doing this.”
Northeast resident Monty Hays stars in the Chanhassen Dinner Theater’sproduction of the musical “The Prom.” Hays plays a lesbian in a small Indiana town who wants to take her girlfriend played by Maya Richardson (below) to prom. (Photos by Dan Norman; provided headshot)
