By Lynn Venhaus

Whether you describe her as a grand dame or a beloved veteran, the multi-talented Donna Weinsting is a true all-around champion in local theater who only garners accolades from her peers.

A popular figure on stage, in films and comedy clubs throughout St. Louis for 60 years, she is not resting on her laurels, by any means. She is part of this year’s ninth annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis (Aug. 8-18), as part of the cast of “Life Upon the Wicked Stage.” (And was part of the first, in “The Rooming House Plays” in 2016).

“Life Upon the Wicked Stage” celebrates the Grand Center Theatre District and includes three one-act plays about show business — “In Our Profession,” “The Magic Tower” and “The Fat Man’s Wife.” It will also feature music and is directed by former St. Louisan Brian Hohlfeld. Donna is cast in “The Magic Tower.”

Carrie Houk, the festival’s artistic director, described the piece as a “like a mini-jukebox musical.”

“It features songs from the period to evoke an era of vaudeville and the type of entertainment Tom (Tennessee Williams) would have encountered in his Grand Avenue outings long, long ago,” she said.

Eight performances will take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 and 17 and Sunday, Aug. 11 and 18, at the Curtain Call Lounge, which is next door to the Fox Theatre, 521 N. Grand Boulevard.

Donna is enthusiastic about the show.

“It’s going to be a treat for Tennessee Williams fans. Interspersed between the three one-acts are musical numbers fitting the times accompanied by the marvelous Tom Clear on piano,” she said. “Brian Hohlfeld is a joy to be directed by and the cast of Julie Layton, Gary Wayne Barker, Julia Crump, and Dominic DeCicco is excellent. I’m happy to be in the mix.”

Weinsting has also been announced as part of the St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s 17th season “Something Old, Something New.” She and Whit Reichert will perform in an original play by Carter W. Lewis called “With,” to be directed by Annamaria Pileggi, set for April 4 – 20, 2025.

“The special thing about this project is just about everything.  I’ll be working in a two hander with Whit Reichert written by Carter Lewis and directed by Annamaria Pileggi for Actors Studio.  Dream team,” she said.

Donna will play Minnie and Whit will be Clifford, and their world will be humorous, but ultimately heartbreaking, as they navigate a blizzard, a dead son, a rat in the kitchen and worse; in order to hold on to a bit of control over their personal end of life decisions.

The couple enlists their derelict son to obtain Death With Dignity drugs from the state of Oregon, but due to an accident on the highway, the plan goes hysterically and tragically awry. As a result, Minnie and Clifford cling to daily tasks as they slowly get cut off from the world by a blizzard and disconnected utilities. Their enduring love fuels them through an obstacle course of each day’s events.

She is happy to contribute to the current arts scene.

“I feel invigorated and full of excitement again,” she said.

Earlier this summer, Donna was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the non-profit organization Arts For Life. AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

“I am beyond honored to receive this very special recognition, humbled and excited. I feel that this is a gift — to be acknowledged for something I have had a passion for nearly my entire life,” she said.

Born Donna Collins, she grew up in St. Louis, and while her family moved several times, she landed in Oakville at age 13, and that is where she has lived ever since. She was first in a summer city park production of “Sleeping Beauty,” then a play in junior high.

“The die was cast and a 60-year career in acting and stand-up comedy was launched,” she said.

A graduate of Mehlville High School, she has never shied away from a challenge, playing leads as well as supporting and brief roles. She has performed in one-woman shows, played characters like Mr. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Jabba the Hutt in “Star Wars,” and various animals in WiseWrite plays written by 10-year-olds.

Besides STLAS and TWSL, she has been on the stages of regional professional companies The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Max and Louie Productions, New Jewish Theatre, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Stray Dog Theatre, St. Louis Shakespeare, Upstream Theater, West End Players Guild, and the shuttered Orange Girls, Insight Theatre, OnSite, and others.

She has appeared at the Bluff City Theater in Hannibal, Mo., Ozark Actors’ Theatre in Rolla, Mo., Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, Mo., Stages Houston and 59E59 Theatre Off-Broadway in New York as part of the LaBute New Theatre Festival.

The community theater organizations she has worked with include Clayton Community Theatre, Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, and the no longer active Affton Players.

Her honors include a Kevin Kline Award for Lead Actress, as Bessie in “From Door to Door” at New Jewish Theatre, St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Actress as Iola in “Salt, Root and Roe” at Upstream Theater, and a St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Comedy Ensemble for “Jacob and Jack” at New Jewish Theatre, where she played both Ester and Hannah.

She will be shooting a movie in Springfield this fall called “Big Mike’s Cabin,” and has appeared in other locally shot films “Ethan and Edna” and “Doubting Thomas.”

 “It is wonderful that we are giving the film industry the incentive to come to Missouri again,” she said.. 

While awards are a cherry on top, Donna said she is most proud of her family — her two children, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and her 63-year marriage to her high school sweetheart, Mike.

“Being with my amazing family is the absolute joy of my life,” she said.

Questions and Answers with Donna Weinsting

1. Why did you choose your profession/pursue the arts?

“I didn’t choose the arts, they chose me.  I don’t ever remember wanting to be anything but an actor.”  

2. How would your friends describe you?

“My friends would all say I’m their funny friend.  They support me and make me feel special.”

3. How do you like to spend your spare time?

“I used to fill my spare time with tennis and golf. Lots of tennis and golf. COVID took me away from that and I just got less active. Now my spare time is seeing plays and lots of television.”

4. What is your current obsession?

“My current obsession is binging the really great series you can watch in the comfort of your home.  Love Ted Lasso, Outlander, Hacks and many others.”

5. What would people be surprised to find out about you?

“People would probably be surprised to know I have a basement full of archery, tennis and golf trophies.”

6. Can you share one of your most defining moments in life?

“One of my most defining moments in life was entering a talent contest on a cruise and doing stand-up for the first time in my life at 48. It was an epiphany to know I could make 2,000 people laugh just being myself. I can’t explain how overwhelming that feeling of euphoria was.”

7. Who do you admire most?

“I admire the most people who can do it all and do it well.  People who can write, perform, direct and produce are superstars.  People who devote themselves to the betterment of others is inspiring.”

8. What is at the top of your bucket list?

“Top of my bucket list is to be in a television series. Betty White is gone and can never be replaced but there is a definite need for a sassy old woman.”

9. How were you affected by the pandemic years, and anything you would like to share about what got you through and any lesson learned during the isolation periods? Any reflections on how the arts were affected? And what it means to move forward?

“The pandemic sort of ended my acting career for a while. I got older and even though I am not a strong singer, COVID took a great deal out of my voice and now I no longer have confidence in it. I got through the pandemic by watching a lot of television and keeping track of the lives of my family. I learned from the isolation that I don’t have the drive I would like to have. I could have used the down time to learn a new language, play the piano, write a play and clean out my closets, instead  I watched television and bitched about not being in a play.

“The pandemic was disastrous for the arts. Many small companies closed and some of the big ones were hit with financial hardships. I am encouraged by the fortitude of those in the arts though.  New companies are springing up and the talent here in St. Louis is so rich and full of promise.”

10. What is your favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

“My favorite thing to do is be on the stage, but if I’m not, I love to see good theatre and support and encourage our plethora of talent here. I love a good martini and being with old and dear friends too. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 63 years and have a son and daughter, five grandchildren and eight of the most beautiful, smart and intelligent great grandchildren in the world.

12. What’s next?

“In the fall I have been cast in a film being shot in the Ozarks called “Big Mike’s Cabin.”. Then in April of next year I will be doing the play with Whit Reichert.  I feel reinvigorated and full of excitement again.”

More About Donna Weinsting:

Age: 82
Born: Arbyrd, Missouri in the bootheel.
Currently live: Oakville, Missouri
Family: Husband of 63 years, son, daughter, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Education: I have an associate degree from Meramec Community College.
Day job: I have been a Real Estate Salesperson for almost 50 years.
First job: My first job was working the lunch counter in a Walgreen’s Drug Store when I was 15.
First play: My first play was in Sleeping Beauty in a St. Louis park summer production.  I was a handmaiden.
Favorite Roles: It is hard to choose my favorite roles but the ones that stand out are, “‘Homebody” Off Broadway, ‘ “Salt, Root and Roe”, “Gray Gardens”, ” ‘night, Mother”, “From Door to Door”, and “The Lion in Winter”.  I also got a kick out of playing Jabba the Hutt, Mr. Potter and Donald Trump.
Dream Role: My dream job is a television series, Broadway play or major film role.
Awards: I’ve won a Kevin Kline for Outstanding Lead Role, a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Lead Actress in a drama, a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Comedy Ensemble and have had several nominations.
Words to Live By: My favorite words to live by are never give up.  Life can throw unbelievable obstacles in your way and its easy to throw in the towel but working through them and coming out a better and stronger person is so fulfilling.
A Song That Makes Me Happy: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, beautiful and full of hope.

Cover Photo by Don Quon