Twelve-year-old Maeve Finn of Edina is spending her holiday season in Whoville this year, performing in the ensemble of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” at Children’s Theatre Company. For Maeve, this marks an exciting step in a theater journey that began close to home.
Maeve first got a taste of the stage in 2019 when she played Auntie Em in “The Wizard of Oz” at The Little Theater on 42nd Street. But it wasn’t until 2023, when she was cast as Duffy in “Annie Jr.” with the Morningside Theater Company that acting really became a passion. “That’s when I really started to love it,” Maeve says. “My mom signed me up and I just thought it was fun to play someone else and act out emotions.”
Maeve describes herself as someone who enjoys a little drama – in the theatrical sense – and loves the chance to express different feelings and personalities on stage. “You’re not yourself when you’re acting. You get to be someone else for that show,” she explains.
Her path to Children’s Theatre Company began with a one-night audition, where she sang and danced before waiting several weeks to hear back. “I was very excited when I found out I got in. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to,” she says.
Her parents, Tara and Huck (whose nickname comes from his military days), were away at a work conference in Minneapolis when they got the news. Tara remembers how special the moment was. “Children’s Theatre is just such a legacy here in town,” she says. “We wanted to tell her right away, but since we were away for a couple nights, we FaceTimed her after sending a photo of her from when she went to see the Grinch in 2018. That made it feel really full-circle.”
Maeve is already enjoying the experience of rehearsing at CTC. “The rehearsals are long, but that means you get to make a lot of friends,” she says. “I’m already friends with all the other child actors. It’s really fun.”
Outside of theater, Maeve enjoys reading—particularly historical fiction and biographies. “I like the ‘Christian Heroes: Then and Now’ series, which are biographies about real people,” she says. “And I really like World War II historical novels.”
Maeve lives in Edina with her parents and three brothers: Cal, Silas, and Thaddeus. She’s still thinking about her future but knows that being a mom is something she really wants. “That’s the only thing I’m sure of right now,” she says with a smile.
The Finn family also embraces the spirit of the season with a few special holiday traditions. A newer one is a cooking competition that pairs off family members. “Last year, me and my mom made deviled eggs, and they were really good,” Maeve says. Another favorite is their gift exchange: instead of buying presents for everyone, each family member draws one name and shops for that person, often at Bachman’s. The gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve. “It’s one of my favorite things,” Maeve says. “Everyone’s just so happy, and it’s usually dark and snowy outside. I love that.”
Their family also takes part in Operation Christmas Child, packing shoeboxes filled with toys and essentials for children in need around the world. “It’s something we do every year with my mom,” Tara says. “This year we packed 86 boxes!”
As Maeve prepares for opening night, she’s soaking up every moment of the experience. From a preschooler in the audience to a performer on stage, this is a holiday she – and her family – won’t soon forget.
For tickets, visit childrenstheatre.org/grinch.