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!

We're proud and excited to announce the participants of our Night of New Works project development series:

• Jex Arzayus, Sabrina Crews & Steven Michael Hall: FOILED
• Suzanne Victoria Cross & Ricardo Beaird: SPOOK
• Beth Ann Powers: FRIGID

More about the projects will be posted soon. In the meantime, get to the know artists:

Jex Arzayus made their debut playing brother Einhart in “Pope Joan the First Transgender Pope,” and is proud to be back at the Fringe working with Womyn's Mysteries this year. Jex was most recently seen as Damis in “Tart” by The BAND Group at Bryant Lake Bowl and will be playing the judge in “American Terror The Trials of Jeffrey Dahmer” this fall at the Crane Theater. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jex has called Minneapolis home for the past 11 years. Jex is a middle school/high school art teacher in Maple Grove and recently opened a bike powered vegan food cart. Jex takes improv classes at Huge Theater, is a martial artist and a new crossfitter. Jex found their passion for acting less than a year ago and is hooked.

Sabrina Crews grew up on the Twin Cities stage, performing in a range of venues from Children’s Theatre Company to the Southern Theater to Hennepin Center for the Arts. At ages nine and ten, she toured 11 states and Canada as a full-time actor with Troupe America, which ignited her love for travel and marathon road trips. Now she’s a full-time content writer for the Center for Victims of Torture, an international nonprofit headquartered in Minnesota that provides mental health care to refugees and asylum seekers. She’s ecstatic about fusing her theatrical experience and writing background for Savage Umbrella’s Night of New Works! 

Steven Michael Hall is a St. Paul-based writer who has dedicated his personal and professional life to advancing the missions of nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities by fostering lasting partnerships, deepening community connections, and generating sustainable funding. Steven previously worked at the International Education Center and the Center for Victims of Torture, both serving the Minnesota immigrant and refugee community. Today, Steven manages corporate and foundation relations and seeks funding in support of exhibitions and programs at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. You will not remember Steven from his bit parts in dozens of suburban community theater productions in the mid-late 1990s. Savage Umbrella’s Night of New Works marks Steven’s triumphant return to the world of theater.

Suzanne Victoria Cross was born and raised in North Minneapolis, graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BA in Theater and Community Psychology. Suzanne is a local actor and teaching artist in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. She has worked with many local theater companies including touring with CLIMB Theatre as an Actor-Educator, Penumbra Theatre Company’s Education and Outreach Program, Lyric Arts Academy, Southern Theater, and Teatro del Pueblo. Suzanne is currently the Local Coordinator and Resident Stage Manager for Pangea World Theater.

Ricardo Beaird is an actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist. He relocated to the Twin Cities from Nashville, TN to work as an Actor-Educator with CLIMB Theatre. He is a company member of GTC Dramatic Dialogues, an interactive workshop collective that facilitates conversations around Date Rape, Diversity, and Substance Abuse on college campuses. Ricardo has performed and taught with several theatre companies around town including Pangea World Theater, Theater Latte Da, Penumbra Theatre, Park Square Theater, Red Eye Theater, and Yellow Tree Theater.

Beth Ann Powers is a Playwright, Performer, and Theater Artist based in the Twin Cities. Beth Ann received a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2017. She co-founded Slap Happy Studios, a local production company for which she has served as the artistic director since 2015. Beth Ann’s work as a playwright has been presented by the University of Minnesota, The Playwrights Center, Phoenix Theater, Theater Unbound, Raw Sugar, and Little Life Boats. She has also worked around the Twin Cities as a performer with such companies as The Band Group, 20% Theater Company, Wildwood Theater, and Classical Actors Ensemble. As an artist Beth Ann considers her work to be largely collaborative and focuses on social justice, equity, representation, and inclusion.

Summertime is here! Time for sunshine, cold drinks, and kicking back. Or that's what we've been told. We're a little busy over here because we're planning A Surprise Birthday Party. Save that date, you're not going to want to miss it - did you read about the free drink, and the cake? Don't worry, there will be surprises too and also plenty of... surprises. You're invited!

And after you've penned that into your digital calendar, check out these other projects the company is involved in this summer. What better way to escape the heat and humidity than to see a show, or binge a new podcast or take a class or two. Here's the roundup of radical summertime events that the company is cooking up around town:

Happy June, cuties! Guess what?... it’s Pride month!

If you’re a research nerd like many of us, you might be interested in some of the history behind all things “Pride”. One of the sparks for the gay liberation movement, as well as the modern fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in America, can be traced to the Stonewall Riots on June 28,  1969.

The events broke out when the Stonewall Inn — a NYC bar that was a welcoming place for the LGBTQIA+ community — was raided violently by police in the middle of the night. Raids like this were not uncommon — and you may remember us talking about them during our 2016 production of JUNE; however, this time patrons of the bar, including incredible transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson, said enough is enough. They risked their lives, just as many others have done throughout history, to stand up against injustice.

The first Pride march occurred the year after the riots in 1970, and the parades and festivities that continue today celebrate how far we’ve come and remind us how far we still have to go to ensure safety and fundamental rights for all. People participate in Pride month in many different ways, so get out there to celebrate with radical joy, protest for safety, support the community, and be kind to one another.

Speaking of radical joy, we invite you to join us under the umbrella for some exciting events this summer:

Save the date for our Surprise Birthday Party on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Okay, okay, we know that it's happening... but it will be full of other surprises just for you! Official season announcements, delicious treats and bevs, super special news, and all kinds of goodies and fun. Seriously, you don't want to miss this.

There will be cake and a full bar... your first round is on us!​

Saturday, July 21, 2018  |  8:00 PM - 11:30 PM (or when your party heart desires)
​Nomad World Pub (501 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454; 21+ Event)

You'll need to reserve your ticket to get the secret password for entry to the super-secret-surprise party location! Pick your own price!

Hurry! Only a few days left to get those applications in for Night of New Works. Do you have an idea that needs a little collaborative push and support? Three projects will be chosen to engage in an exploratory and collaborative rehearsal process culminating in a public final presentation of works-in-progress at Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater in Uptown Minneapolis, MN (September 10-12).

Application deadline is 11:59 PM on Friday, June 8, 2018
More information available at http://www.savageumbrella.org/nnw-application
Email hello@savageumbrella.org with any questions.

Happy PRIDE, everyone! We’re kicking off our month by taking over the Phoenix Theater stage with What’s Next Productions for their monthly sex ed comedy improv show:

Sex is fun! Sex ed should be, too. How many of us sat through an awkward health class that everyone giggled through or didn't even get the birds and the bees talk? Probably most of us, right? We're teaming up with What’s Next Productions to put those giggles to good use for their sex ed comedy show (18+ event). Join us for Sex Ed: a sexprov PRIDE edition:

Friday, June 8, 2018  | 10:30 PM
at Phoenix Theater (2605 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis)

Tickets are only $10! Save your spot today.

BONUS: Phoenix Theater will be hosting a happy hour before the show. Purchase a ticket online or at the door and receive $1 OFF drinks from 9:00 - 10:00 PM at the theater bar.


See you under the umbrella!

xoxo

​Emily Dussault ("Signy"): Men take action to prove their power and strength. They use marriages, swords, traps, revenge, fire, and heroic acts. Women feel powerless and trapped. They use dreams, prophecies, sorcery, potions, and secrets.

Eli Purdom ("Sigmund"): Wolf Song is about the cyclical nature of violence and lies. Drawing on themes of destiny, loyalty, and family honor, the story follows the Volsung line from prophecies of devastation to the eventual fallout of their actions as they and those around them careen into fires – literally!

​Foster Johns ("Gunnar"): Musky, emasculated, and willing.

Nick Wolf ("Eirik"): Benevolent King, desperately trying to hold it together.

Antonia Perez ("Gudrun"): Gudrun is the old dress you used to wear that doesn't really fit anymore so you don't wear it but, you can't bring yourself to throw it away either. 

Morgen Chang ("The Stranger"): Unexpected, ephemeral, circumstance.

Emily: Stuck, angry, self-righteous.

​Emily: The men in this story are like dogs doing tricks. The women are like cornered, angry snakes.

Eli: The first part of the story is a swirling, dark wild looking at the edge of every moment, the second part brings the wild outside into the home, like a tornado in a shoebox.

Nick: It's like a sitcom without a laugh track.

Morgen: This world is like a viewfinder with three slides stacked over each other. Signy tries to elude her premonitions by carrying an umbrella into a swimming pool. 

Laura Leffler ("Brynhildr"): The end is like a carousel you can't get off of. 

​Emily: I love taking an incredibly complex plot and figuring out the psychology behind it. There are obvious choices, more "traditional" ways of seeing the story... But we are finding different ways of understanding the characters. It is exciting and funny and weird... It is an adventure! 

Foster: I love how we find what's redeeming in unlikable characters/gross about likable characters and really just tackling something huge in an open and exploratory manner.

Antonia: We are changing this male-driven, male-centered, male-glorifying tale into a story that makes you care about everyone.

Laura: It's amazing the work that can happen with really talented people in the room. We had an open rehearsal and invited in a bunch of outside guests to come and play and the idea explosion that came from that work was awesome.

​Eli: People should come see this show because always support new work, but also because this show has a lot of themes that people will be able to identify in their world around them - the tribalism and loyalty to an idea over a person.

Morgen: It's a unique chance to shape how a story, a piece of theatre, will speak to you personally. The saga is historic, but not sacrosanct. As an audience member in this process, you become a teller, and can help the characters find their new meanings.

Nick: You won't believe the shit these people do to each other. 

Foster: We take the epic and the operatic and we playfully unpick it.  Folks who see this will find new ways of relating to the folklore that underpins our culture. 

Laura: Savage Umbrella always asks the audience what they like and what they want to see more of in our workshops. Then as the final script and production is put together we use audience input. So, we want - and need - audience to come help us make this play.