And now we are here in this moment, perched on the precipice between 2018 and 2019 and more than eleven years after that first wild tour. I find my time pressed and my energy wan. I’m in need of a recharge. There have been shifts in my personal life that have added responsibilities and subtracted even more energy and time. There are new professional opportunities in front of me, that I am compelled to explore. I am large. I contain multitudes. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I have to make room to see.

“I and this mystery, here we stand.”

On January 29th, 2019 I’ll be stepping down from the Core Collective and move to Emeritus Artistic Director, in an advisory capacity. Hannah Holman will become Umbrella Collective's Producing Artistic Director. Core Collective Members Alana Horton and Megan  Clark will take on more responsibility. The beating heart of the collective thumps on.

“Urge and urge and urge,
Always the procreant urge of the world.”

Like an irritating emeritus professor who still hangs around campus too much, I intend very much to keep "office hours", as it were, with Umbrella. I am not leaving. I’m not moving. I have stories I still want to help tell with Umbrella Collective--WOLF SONG, and TWO RUM PARTIES, and A SQUID HAS THREE HEARTS, and all these other new beautiful, nascent ideas continue to live and breathe and move forward. I’ll be around. Just differently than before.

It is such an honor to continue growing, learning, and making with you, dear Minnesota artists and audience members. I know Give to the Max Day is sometimes overwhelming (so many emails!) — but it really is an important day for ambitious, small-budget organizations like Umbrella Collective. We believe that art, collaboration, and conversation build the bridges for understanding and compassion that are so essential to our communities.

Your support on Give to the Max Day helps us continue to create bold and vibrant new works that spark vital conversations. Together is better, and we’re better together with you.

Head over to https://www.givemn.org/story/umbrellacollective to make it possible.

Summer took its final bow and autumn has made its blustering chilly entrance. And with the new season comes a harvest of new theatre, and workshops, to attend. So, put on that extra layer, get your favorite spiced (or non-spiced) beverage, and go catch the collective making their thing. Here's a list of where you can see members of Umbrella Collective this fall:

Gremlin Theatre is proud to present one of the most famous thrillers of all time, staged in the up-close and intimate style of our new thrust theatre. Dial M for Murder is indeed a psychological game of cat and mouse; and of life and death.

Emily Dussault is 'characteristically superb' (Jay Gabler, City Pages) in this classic thriller.

September 7th - 30th, 2018
Gremlin Theater, St. Paul
$25-28 | Tickets
Anyone under 30: pay half your age

THE VISIT, by Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, is the most well-known play by one of the most important playwrights since the Second World War. Set in a small town that is in a deep economic depression, the townspeople await the visit of Claire Zachanassian, who was driven out of town as a young girl years ago because she was pregnant. Now the wealthiest person in the world who has just married her 8th husband, she returns to a town that desperately hopes her millions will save them. She, however, has a different agenda, returning with the mission to buy justice: she will offer the town her fortune in exchange for the life of the man who not only spurned her but rigged the public trial against her.

Allison Witham joins the cast which also features a handful of friends of the Collective

September 28th - October 21st, 2018
Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul
$22-25 | Tickets

On a rainy summer night - in a too warm room - twenty five artists gathered together to share ideas and space. TWENTY FIVE. There was sharing and checking in, there was movement and gesture, there was dialogue and essay, there was laughter and moments so disturbing we shook, there was questioning and debating, there were opinions and truths. We talked about what comprises America, how we deal with trauma, how we define “normal,” how we talk about sex, how ghosts live with us, Twister and lost needles, phone calls and paranoia, flashlights, aluminum foil, a Rubik’s cube, and so much more.

It was a beautiful - if sweaty - night. It was a lovely alchemy of artists all working and learning together. It was intimate and vulnerable and loud and challenging. Anxious, jittery, moment-before-the-storm electricity flowed through us all.

And the best part of it all? We’re inviting you in.

For three nights only THIS week - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - we will gather at the intimate and yet loud Bryant-Lake Bowl and share with our audiences all the work and growth and learning that has been this Night of New Works process. We’re excited - and nervous! - for the final component of the workshop process to arrive - and that’s our time with you.

Join us and be a part of the conversation. We can’t wait to see you there.

Creating new works involves great risks and even greater amounts of trust. A Team Lead fosters their ideas through the creative expression of the ensemble. In today's spotlight, Umbrella Collective focuses on the ensemble. We asked a member from each cast to provide their perspective on the process from the new work in which they're collaborating. 

Night of New Works is less than a week away. We are excited to reveal what's been brewing in the rehearsal room. Have you reserved your tickets?

What about this piece and/or process is important and/or exciting to you?
As a white artist, I am deeply humbled to be trusted and invited into the rehearsal room and on stage for this project. I'm excited to support the work of Ricardo, Suzanne, and the ensemble, and to learn and grow from that process.

What are you most excited about for the public works-in-progress showings?
I am excited to see in what way Umbrella Collective formats feedback sessions, to see how that shapes audience response and what it can accomplish for both audience and artists.

How would you describe SPOOK in three words?
Arresting, Sensory, Contemplative

• Read an interview with the Team Leads of SPOOK

What about this piece and/or process is important and/or exciting to you?
I think it's exciting to be able to approach the ages old concept of frigidity through a modern lens. The concept has barely changed in the cultural eye, while the science of the day has evolved throughout time. Putting a queer spin on it is important to me personally.

What are you most excited about for the public works-in-progress showings?
I am most excited to see how the people who choose to come explore these new works with us will critique the three projects.These are not completed scripts, and the input will be extremely beneficial to the creators.

How would you describe FRIGID in three words?
Average American experience.

• Read an interview with FRIGID's Team Lead

What about this piece and/or process is important and/or exciting to you?
This devising process has been super exciting because it's combined a beautiful medley of writing, improvisation, and honest conversations between the creators. I find devising produces stunningly vulnerable and earnest art; everyone has brought so much of themselves to make this story, and I'm so excited to share it.

What are you most excited about for the public works-in-progress showings?
I'm most excited to see what gets people reacting, or what makes people feel most. From the inside it's easy to miss what moments are the funniest, or most tender; sharing these pieces shows us what works. 

How would you describe FOILED in three words?
Heartfelt, refreshing, paranoid. 

• Read an interview with the Team Leads of FOILED

Experience three new works created by Beth Ann Powers, Ricardo Beaird, Suzanne Victoria Cross, Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. All three pieces performed each night.

September 10 - 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Sliding Scale Tickets: $5 - $20

Night of New Works can spark conversations that an ensemble or audience wouldn't have had otherwise. In our final team lead spotlight, we talk with Suzanne Victoria Cross and Ricardo Beaird. They both co-lead the new work SPOOK, premiering September 10th - 12th at the Bryant Lake Bowl.

Experience three new works created by Beth Ann Powers, Ricardo Beaird, Suzanne Victoria Cross, Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. All three pieces performed each night.

September 10 - 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Sliding Scale Tickets: $5 - $20

From FOILED to FRIGID. In the second of our series of spotlights, we drop-in with Project Lead Beth Ann Powers and ask about the new work, FRIGID. If these interviews peak your interest even the slightest then you're encouraged to join us as we put inspiration to action at Night of New Works, Sept 10th- 12th. Here's Beth Ann:

What are the main themes and/or questions you are exploring with FRIGID? Why are they important to talk about through art right now?

Who are the writers of our stories? What do we do when the only narratives we have of our own history are authored by others? Do we discard them? Do we reclaim them? And can we afford to get rid of them when they are often times all we have? FRIGID is an attempt to explore these questions by taking the reclamation path. It’s not so much a history as it is a re-telling of a re-telling of a history. It is the story of the Frigid person as told by the Medical Man as told by the Frigid person. It is a group of people telling their version, not of who they are, but who they have been told they are, and then making the decision to find their own definitions, identities, and labels. This may or may not be the right choice when it comes to dealing with these narratives, but the only way to find out is to try.

What is one thing in your process so far that surprised you?

Apparently we are still learning the same lessons about love that we were in 1920. I think that I expected this to some extent but it has been quite a journey uncovering all the different ways that, while we are using different language, we are very much having the same conversations about communication, education, and fear as it applies to sex, gender, and relationships today as we were back then.

If your show was a cocktail or beverage, what would it be?

You know I tried really hard to come up with a joke about some kind of frozen cocktail to go with the title FRIGID but I came up short. I  think I’m gonna go with an old fashioned because it sounds pretty classic but there are a million variations of it and you can kind of go with your own unique twist on it that works for you - just like love! Also it sounds old and we are talking about old stuff in this show so there you go.

Experience three new works created by Beth Ann Powers, Ricardo Beaird, Suzanne Victoria Cross, Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. All three pieces performed each night.

September 10 - 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Sliding Scale Tickets: $5 - $20

Hey, what are all these new works about? As Umbrella Collective counts down to Night of New Works 2018, let's get to know a little about each project. First up, FOILED, lead by Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. We asked the team three questions and all three leads responded with their perspective.

What are the main themes and/or questions you are exploring? Why are they important to talk about through art right now?

SC: On the surface, FOILED's a dark comedy about a young humanitarian who gets consumed and vanquished by paranoia. On a deeper level, at least to me, it's about flawed, peculiar people connecting in extraordinary ways, but ultimately failing to understand each other. We've got a dynamic cast of complicated personalities that makes it easy to present this disorienting and timely narrative. As for themes... Well, there's a sort of hysteria surrounding millennials in our culture that's been hard to escape for a while now, and we have a lot of fun toying with the stereotypes perpetuated by pop psychologists, various media outlets and... well basically anyone who isn't a millennial. We also examine fringe theory, specifically the way conspiracy theorists are perceived by society, and whether that perception's still valid, given our dystopic, post-truth climate.  

JA: (I think) it's important because we are in a state of distrust in our country now.

What is one thing in your process so far that surprised you?

SC: I'd never devised before. Rehearsals were essentially a series of exercises, and I wondered how integral they'd be to the actual script. Turns out the exercises had an enormous impact. So much of what we developed together as an ensemble is reflected in the play; this is a true collaborative effort.

JA: One process that surprised me was how amazing our cast was at capturing their characters and life-like they brought the story.

SH: Through the devising process our talented ensemble brought our ideas and their characters to life. I was surprised every rehearsal by the wealth of content that was being generated.

If your show was a cocktail or beverage, what would it be?

SC: Wild Turkey cocktail with a twist

JA: I think we should be a viente soy latte with an extra pump of vanilla from Starbucks
​
SH: Four Loko (original recipe)

Experience three new works created by Beth Ann Powers, Ricardo Beaird, Suzanne Victoria Cross, Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. All three pieces performed each night.

September 10 - 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Sliding Scale Tickets: $5 - $20

Night of New Works is coming up next month! You might be wondering: what’s it gonna be like?

Here under the umbrella, we believe together is better, and we live out this value in every step of our process — with our artists and with our audiences. We truly believe that our audience members are our valued collaborators. That’s why we invite you in to experience the messy parts of new play making — the first drafts, the unfinished movement sequences, the big ideas. We want to show you something before it’s finished because we want you to have a voice in the process.

Experience three new works created by Beth Ann Powers, Ricardo Beaird, Suzanne Cross, Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews, and Steven Michael Hall. All three pieces performed each night.

September 10 - 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Sliding Scale Tickets: $5 - $20

It's August! and that means it's Minnesota Fringe Festival time for Umbrella Collective members and the Minnesota theater community. We asked our Collective members to tell us a little about their show(s) and what they 'pair best with'. If Fringe is not your thing, you can catch Umbrella Collective members singing, dancing, and drumming all over the Twin Cities. Here's a list of where you can find Umbrella Collective this August:

You can catch Emily Dussault in two fringe shows, Blood Nocturne and Couple Fight: The Musical

Tell us about your shows?
Blood Nocturne is a play with music about the infamous Countess Elizabeth Bathory. You may know her as the noblewoman who bathed in the blood of virgins. Pairs well with a bold red wine and a deep sense of injustice about how women's stories are told throughout history. 

Couple Fight: The Musical is a hilarious, musical romp through the world of... fights that couples have. This cast has some of the most incredible comedic performers in the Twin Cities (including my scene partner and fellow Umbrella Collective company member, Allison Witham. And I get to play her girlfriend, and fellow Collective member, and one of my besties: Leslie Vincent). Its going to be SO CUTE. And funny. And musical! Pairs well with pancakes and the ability to laugh in the face of deep frustration.

Anything else in August?
Shoot! You just missed Emily singing at Musical Mondays (Lush at 7pm on Monday, August 6th), but you should subscribe to the Champagne Drops' YouTube channel -- if you haven't already!

You can find Allison Witham in Justice League of Their Own and Couple Fight: The Musical

Tell us why we should catch these shows?
'Justice League'  will be funny, topical, an homage to a great movie, and has an amazing cast.  'Couple Fight' is so funny and heartwarming.  Amazing cast, and Keith Hovis is a phenom. I think they'd both pair well with a 2 rosé pregame.  

Anything else in August?
Speaking of Keith Hovis, Collective member Leslie Vincent is doing a reading of his musical, Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant, directed by the incredible Laura Leffler.  I'm really excited to see that and watch as it progresses to a full length show next summer at Park Square from its smash hit status of the 2017 Fringe.

You have a few gigs coming up, can you tell us about them?
My band The Controversial New 'Skinny Pill" is playing along with one of my FAVORITE national DIY groups, Sloppy Jane at the Turf Club - August 18th. They're a 8-to-11 piece music project whose live show includes: laughter, choir vocals, xylophone, saxophone, kazoo, television, slide whistle, vomiting blue dye, a naked body, a rotting suit, guitar, bass, drums, tambourine, ruby red slippers, violent shifts in genre and speed, a make-believe maestro, and a set that does not stop moving once it has started.

My other band, Bella Yaga, just had an album release at Open Eye on August 4th. Bella Yaga was joined by opener Eric Mayson, as well as a special roster of video artists, dancers, musicians, clowns, and puppeteers contributing performance and projections to the show, including Ari Newman, Emma Barber, Jay Owen Eisenberg, Katie Kaufmann, Kristi Ternes, and Tony Williams. You can now listen to the album on your favorite streaming service!

Beehive is the ultimate celebration of 1960’s female empowerment. Featuring such timeless classics as “My Boyfriend’s Back”, “Be My Baby”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, and “Me and Bobby McGee”, Beehive nostalgically recalls the days of miniskirts, transistor radios and flower power. Leslie Vincent belts her way through the classics all summer long.

June 29th - Oct 13th 2018
Old Log Theatre, Excelsior MN
$30 |  Tickets

Whip-smart sorority sister Elle Woods blasts beyond expectations in this fast-paced, energetic musical based on the hit 2001 movie. Antonia Perez brings her extraordinary dancing skills to this fast selling show!

July 21st - August 19th 2018
Artistry, Bloomington MN
$15 - 46 |  Tickets

It's important to make sure your Fringe includes delicious food and drink. (You definitely don't want to get hangry during a marathon binge of daring, heartwarming, and sometimes super weird theater!) So, if you find yourself around Mixed Blood, Augsburg, Rarig, The Southern Theater, or Theatre in the Round ... West Bank lover Kathryn Fumie wants to share some of her favorite food establishments with you. Hopefully, once you try them out, they'll be your favorites too.

Keefer Court - close to Mixed Blood - Chinese - treat yourself to the steamed buns - for $1.75 you can have one filled with korean bbq pork or beef curry. Take a couple to-go and stand in line for the show.

Malabari Kitchen - next to the Cedar Cultural Center - delicious Southwestern Indian food (flavors not often represented at many of our Indian restaurants) - curries and sandwiches and vegetarian options. I would order ahead, as sometimes there is only one person working and the orders take a little longer.

The Wienery - only open during the day - tiny TINY tiny diner with a compact and thorough menu of sandwiches and hot dogs (6 different dog options, including vegetarian sausage). When you order their homemade fries, they ask you if you want one potato or two, and drop it into the hot oil.

Jambo! - African and other flavors  - MISSION: "Beyond our culinary mission is a deeper mission to make positive social impact in our community; 50% of our profits are reinvested into community lending, financial education, youth development programs, and other efforts to economically empower disenfranchised communities with an emphasis our home - Cedar-Riverside." Gyro, rice dishes, stirfries - they have nice to-go containers, if you need to eat and wait in line.

The West Bank is rich in flavors, international fare, and history. Dive in! Happy eating! or, I mean... happy Fringing!