Lindey Krug was destined to be a part of the Fort Dodge Senior High School Speech and Drama Department.

Yes, her dad was a long-time teacher and coach, but a significant event as a young child drew her to the stage at the high school’s Little Theater.

As a young child, she was part of the cast of the musical production, “The King and I.” She played the youngest daughter of the King in the 1982 performance, then held at the high school.

“At the conclusion of the show, myself and another actor performed an entire scene between the King and Anna and the whole cast erupted in applause,” she said. “I think that was the moment I was truly hooked. From then, there was no looking back.”

She has been part of the Speech and Drama Department for the past 13 years. Four years ago, she was given the opportunity to direct the spring musical.

“Funny how things come full circle,” she said.

It was a long and winding road back to Fort Dodge Senior High, but once there, Krug has helped develop a strong program in both drama and speech. The drama and speech department has earned several awards under the guidance of Krug.

“We have been nominated for All-State every year since I started coaching here in both large group and individual speech,” she said. “On a more personal note, I was selected by my peers to serve as an officer for the northwest district for the Iowa High School Speech Association for a three-year term and most recently was asked to be on the convention committee.”

Krug has also added several other opportunities for students to perform. In her years at the high school, she’s added Poetry Out Loud, the Diversity Action Troupe, and a Short Film Festival.

“The most rewarding thing is seeing the growth of my students,” she said. “From the first read-through to the final performance, they improve their communication skills and grow in confidence.”

“The biggest challenge we face is scheduling,” she added. “Our students are highly involved in fine arts, sports, academics, work, and church activities. Trying to get all of them to be available for rehearsal at the same time is a daunting task.”

As a performer herself, Krug has appeared locally for Comedia Musica Players, Hawkeye Community Theatre, Fort Dodge Senior High, and Creative Concepts; she also took dance, piano, and voice lessons.

After graduation, she went to the University of Iowa in Iowa City and pursued a degree in theater arts.

Hawkeye Community Theatre gave her an opportunity to direct for the very first time one of the summers she was home on break. From there, she got married and moved around a bit, ending up in Minnesota where she performed with the Highland Park Community Center Theater and the Lakeside Players.

Three years later, she moved back to Iowa where she began coaching speech and theater at Woodward-Granger schools.

“That is where I discovered my penchant for teaching,” Krug said. “I decided to go back to school and get my master’s in teaching. When I graduated, I took a job with Southeast Warren Jr./Sr. High School where I assisted in directing their fall musical, coached the speech and drama team, and directed the spring play.”

At the end of her third year there, she heard that the theater director in Fort Dodge was retiring, so she applied and was offered the job. She’s been leading the Speech and Drama Department ever since.

As for the future, she has some lofty goals for her department. Krug would like to inventory all the school’s costumes and props, among other things.

“It would also be nice to win an all-state large group critics’ choice banner,” she said. “That would be akin to winning a state championship.”