It is a wonderful thing to be a part of the St. Louis theatre community. When Richard & I moved to St. Louis 10 yrs ago, there were hardly any professional theatre companies. The growth that has now become St. Louis theatre is remarkable and it is has been my pleasure to make a contribution - however small. 

Since moving to St. Louis, I have worked with Orange Girls, New Jewish Theatre, Hot City Theatre , Mustard Seed, and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. I have been a member of award winning ensembles...namely Going to See the Elephant and Women’s Minyan.

Thanks St. Louis!

Kevin Kline Award Wins

2006:  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:  Going to See the Elephant (The Orange Girls)

Kevin Kline Award Nominations

2008:  Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:  Women's Minyan (The New Jewish Theatre)

10 Questions:

2.  When did you know you were going in to the theatre? 
After seeing Destry Rides Again, with Andy Griffith or Gypsy, with Ethel Merman. I can’t remember which one I saw first...they were both magical.

3.  What does St. Louis Theatre mean to you? 
Creativity, community, commitment and caliber

4.  What’s in your fridge right now? 
Tofu, veggies and beer for Richard.

5.  What was the first car you drove? 
1966 Gray Mustang (my dad’s).

6.  What’s the last book you read? 
I am currently reading The Age of American Unreason, written by Susan Jacoby. Before that, The Lost, A Search for Six of Six Million, by Daniel Mendelsohn.

7.  What’s your favorite St. Louis restaurant? 
For fresh, organic food, Local Harvest, on Morganford. But I love Bar Italia as well!

8.  If you weren’t in the theatre, what would you be doing? 
Jungian analyst.

9.  What is the most played song or artist on your iPod? 
All the music on my iPod supports a yoga/spiritual practice.

10. What is your guiltiest guilty pleasure?
Chocolate or coconut gelato!

Donna Weinsting is living her dream.  As a little girl she always knew she wanted to be an actor, and now she has worked with most of the professional theatres in St. Louis. Performances are exciting and gratifying but the rehearsal process and feeling a production come together is equally thrilling.  Theatre has provided personal satisfaction and a plethora of creative, talented friends for which she is eternally grateful.  Donna has been nominated twice for a Kevin Kline Award for outstanding lead actress in a play, 'night, Mother for Stray Dog Theatre and From Door to Door for New Jewish Theatre.  She was thrilled to actually receive the Kevin Kline for her performance in From Door to Door in 2006.  Donna loves being in theatre but her crowning achievement is her long and lasting marriage to her high school sweetheart, Mike, and her 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Kevin Kline Award Wins

2007: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: From Door to Door (The New Jewish Theatre)

Kevin Kline Award Nominations

2009: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: ‘night Mother (Stray Dog Theatre)

10 Questions:

 1.  What is your favorite theatrical memory?

Hands down it was winning my Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play. I was flabbergasted and thrilled.

 2.  When did you know you were going in to the theatre?

I honestly don’t remember a time when I wanted to do anything else. It seemed inevitable.

 3.  What does St. Louis Theatre mean to you?

It is ever-expanding and ever-changing my life. It fills me with pride whenever I see one of our many wonderful performances.

 4.  What’s in your fridge right now?

What isn’t would be a better question. I always have something I can throw together in case a bus breaks down in front of the house.

5.  What was the first car you drove?

Oh dear God! It was a 1957 black DeSoto and the breaks went out one day in rush hour traffic downtown.

6.  What’s the last book you read?

Tick Tock by James Patterson.

7.  What’s your favorite St. Louis restaurant?

Citizen Kane’s for steak and the OC for burgers and drinks.

8.  If you weren’t in the theatre, what would you be doing?

Making everyone else’s life miserable because I would be miserable.

9.  What is the most played song or artist on your iPod?

Right now it’s “The Music That Makes Me Dance” by Barbra Streisand because I’m learning it for a cabaret.

10. What is your guiltiest guilty pleasure?

Eating a Snickers bar while reading a new diet book.