This week’s spotlighted MHS graduate is Leila Heise from the class of 1977. This interview was conducted by phone to Leila in Dallas, Texas.
Leila’s fondest memories of life at MHS revolved around the theater. Her dream was to be an actress, as evidenced by the fact that she performed in every play that was produced during her high school years. We specifically talked about her starring role as Winifred the Woebegone in the musical “Once Upon a Mattress” directed by one of Menomonie’s premier teachers/directors—Ellwynn Hendrickson. Forensics—so closely related to drama—was another important part of her life at this time.
After graduation, Leila attended UW-Stout for one semester and then transferred to Yankton College in Vermillion, SD, where she majored in theater. During her sophomore year, she went to the Black Hills Playhouse to gain acting experience. Unfortunately, Leila dislocated her knee the first week she was there, so was unable to do any acting. But fortunately, she began working with Dean Mogle, costume designer with the University of South Dakota-Vermillion and the Black Hills Playhouse. Seeing promise in her sewing abilities and creativity, he encouraged her to go into costume design.
Following Mogle’s advice, she earned a BFA in costume design and construction from Yankton College. In 1986, Leila moved to Dallas, Texas, where she still resides today. She first worked with the Dallas Theater Center, one of the most noted regional theaters in the country.
In the late 1990’s, Leila began working in the film industry, starting with two children’s series, “Barney” and “Wishbone.” Among the movies she has worked on are “Prison Break,” “Chase,” and “Good Guys.” While she was working on a Chuck E. Cheese promotional video, Leila received a call from the producer of a crowd-funded religious series. She signed on as the costume designer for “The Chosen,” a series about the life of Christ, and has been with the series for its six seasons.
Leila said that one of her most amazing experiences on this series was the month she spent in Matera, Italy. Matera is located in the “heel of the boot” of the country and was built in 1200 B.C. While working in Italy, she also got to visit Pompeii, the ancient city which was buried by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Because of her career demands, Leila is unable to visit relatives and friends in Menomonie often, but is planning to return in the late summer or early fall.
Leila Heise’s story is dramatic, adventurous, and fulfilling…all because of a dislocated knee!
Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]
