'Doc Wild' back on stage this week

It’s been years since “Doc Wild” has come out to play and teach in the Flathead Valley, but Denny Olson is dusting off his furs for one more show on New Year’s Eve.

Olson masquerades as a variety of characters, from “Doc Wild,” draped in furs and more than a little socially inept, to “Dr. Loonacy,” a loon expert who may have spent too much time with those he studies. A performer by nature, Olson uses these personas to teach students of all ages about the great outdoors.

“My goal is to keep people so entertained that they don’t even realize they’re learning,” said Olson, whose acts often include growling, bird calls, unpredictability and audience participation.

Olson is a zoologist by profession, but always has been a story-teller, and found the best way to teach is through an engaging story.

“I believe learning is an emotional experience,” he said. “All my life, I remember the things that made me the happiest, or the angriest, the something-est. I wanted to use that.”

In recent years, Olson has shifted away from his zany story-telling characters to video production. However, for special occasions such as First Night Flathead, he’ll bring the old gang back out.

Olson, masquerading as Doc Wild, will perform at 8 p.m. at the Central Christian Church as part of the First Night event. Doc Wild, who’s been living in the woods far too long, will take the stage to teach the crowd about his “unhuggable” friends. But anything can happen while he’s performing.

“Every show is unpredictable,” Olson said. “You never know how it’s going to turn out.”

Doc Wild has been known to drop shaving cream globs on a volunteer’s head, or growl like a bear protecting food. While there’s no telling where the show will go, Olson promises everyone will learn something.

Due to the demanding nature of his performances, Olson was on the road for more than 150 days each year, and eventually he decided to retire his acts. In recent years, he has instead turned his skillful storytelling toward video production. Olson operates Pan West, a production studio that specializes in promotional and instructional videos for Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Performing doesn’t pay the bills as it once did. Schools have less money to spare, so fewer teachers have been able to hire Olson for special events.

Although Olson may not be interacting with as many students as he once did, he said it always has been his personal philosophy that students learn best in practical settings, such as working with a mentor.

“We as people are just happier when we’re able to be outside and doing things,” he said.

Olson is now in the process of writing a book that will focus on the challenges in the American education system. He plans to merge his love for storytelling with research, and the chapters will flow from fanciful wildlife stories to pragmatic educational practices.

“We need to look at historic and even prehistoric ways of teaching and realize there are things that have always worked,” he said.

For more information on Olson or his many personas, visit www.docwildsworld.com, and for a complete schedule of performing artists during First Night Flathead, visit www.firstnightflathead.org.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.