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Right place, right time

Humboldt native Eriq Nelson is making a difference with sick children as the ‘Dude’

-Submitted photo
Eriq Nelson, dressed as the character “The Dude,” films a scene for Star Studio at the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota with co-host Taylor Mills. Nelson, a native of Humboldt, is also the producer for a series of shows that help children during their stay in the hospital.

MINNEAPOLIS — The saying, “right place, right time” fits perfectly for what has turned into a career-defining experience for Eriq Nelson.

Nelson, a 1991 graduate of Humboldt High School, is the producer and part of the talent team for Star Studio, the in-house television station at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

The studio produces 10 unique, live and interactive shows that are filmed at either Children’s Minneapolis or Children’s St. Paul, providing 24 hours of family entertainment for patients of the hospital.

And it all started because of a random performance witnessed by a random person.

“It’s really a funny story,” Nelson said. “I was working at an arts day care center for people with disabilities during the day and still performed as an actor at night. I was in a musical called ‘Gypsy’ in 2006.

-Submitted photo
“The Dude,” Eriq Nelson, works on a scene with co-host Taylor Shiff for Star Studio at the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Nelson, a native of Humboldt, is a producer for the studio, which airs live programming to help children during their stay in the hospital.

“I played like 12 different characters and even played sax in that show. A year later, someone from Children’s Minnesota called up my day job office and said they saw me in that show, kept their program and said they remembered me. They were looking to re-launch their in-house TV network at the hospital and needed a consultant. I returned their call and met with them, and after about two minutes I knew I wanted to do more than consult.”

From there, Nelson pitched them an idea that sparked plenty of interest, including a character called “Dude,” described as “Wayne’s World meets Mr. Rogers.”

“We worked on the format of the show and on Jan. 3, 2008, we launched the new show and did it twice a week,” Nelson said. “Things grew in popularity, so we added a show. Then we added ‘Bingo’ and other shows and hired more people.

“A job was actually created for me and now we have two studios, seven staff, 11 hours a week of live TV that kids can call into from their rooms and participate in or come in and watch in the studio live.”

Nelson credits his brother, Iowa Central head rugby coach Brent Nelson, and his mother, Penny, along with his high school theater teacher, J.D. Ulstead, for inspiring him each and every day.

“Brent definitely impacted me by always pushing me to try harder. He was never a quitter and believed in himself, so I followed the trail he set,” Nelson said. “My mom was so supportive of me majoring in theater at Minnesota State. She probably wasn’t thrilled, but as she saw me grow and get better as an artist, her faith was solidified. She also knew that I wanted to do something impactful.

“My theater teacher in high school, J.D. Ulstead, was instrumental too. He believed in me as well, and held me to a high standard, as well as giving me the chance to play big parts.”

Nelson also noted that the work he was able to do at the Brave New Workshop, an improv sketch comedy theater, was “a really intense training ground for writing and creativity.”

The programming, under the direction of Larry Johnson, first started in 1984 and lasted for 22 years before shutting off the lights.

“I literally get to brighten a kid’s day after they have may be been in pain or are scared,” Nelson said. “Star Studio becomes the destination, just as much as the hospital itself, for kids to come play ‘Bingo’ or see the Dude.

“It’s amazing.”

For more information on Star Studios, visit them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarStudioMN/

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