In our take on Jane Austin’s Emma money and socioeconomic power take center stage. Being that we like to have conversations around here AND being that money can get so darn ishy to talk about, we’re going to get the ball rollin’. Right. Now. I asked Company Members Tanner Curl, Hannah Holman,and Mason Mahoney along with Sound Designer and Composer Ted Moore a few questions about money and here’s what they think. – Heidi

1. Why do you think money and socioeconomic power are still such difficult topics to discuss?

Ted: “I think there are strong stereotypes about values assigned to different economic classes. It’s often assumed that wealthy people regard earning and keeping money as a priority in their life, which can make them seem shallow, so sometimes wealth is downplayed. Also, people who pursue passions in lieu of money (ahem, artists) tend to be thought of as being rewarded in “invaluable ways,” and therefore don’t need as much financial compensation.”

Tanner: “Yeesh. This is a loaded question. My character, George, has a line in the play about how "money makes people weird." Very true, for almost everyone. I think that money leads to freedom. And people want more freedom. From hunger, from stress, from you-name-it. And then there's this recognition that life and money in our society are inherently unequal and, in many instances, unfair. I also think biology plays into this mix, but I'm not smart enough to write about it articulately.”

Lemme tell ya what. We've got lots to be thankful for under the umbrella. In addition to the unparalleled generosity we experienced on Give to the Max Day, we SUers have got so many wonderful things in our lives. 

Hannah Holman:

I am thankful for...

1. Puppies. ALL the puppies. Everywhere.
2. Always, my supportive family that takes care of my friends, believes in my work, and still loves me when I'm a little (okay, a lot) crazy.
3. All the wonderful (and infinitely interesting) people creating (and seeing!) new work in the Twin Cities. What an awesome place to play

Tanner Curl, head writer on RAPTURE, reflects on Savage Umbrella's most recent project.


I remember the precise moment I first conceived of RAPTURE. It was around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2010. I was in my bed, my fiancee, Emily, snoozing beside me. As was typical of the time, I was in the midst of doubting myself and just what the hell I was doing--or namely, not doing--with my life. You see, Emily had just closed a run in Savage Umbrella’s THE AWAKENING. Neither of us had worked with the company before, and after going to the closing night party, I was really impressed by the quality of the work and the spirit among the ensemble. It was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to be making, but why, oh, why don’t I have cool friends and maybe I  just need to stick my ass in a chair and write, but I always give up, and it’s scary and wahwahwah!!!

Lisa Brimmer: I’d rapture Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Quincy Phillips, Terrance Hayes, James Tate, Carl Hancock Rux, Taylor Mac, Daniel Alexander Jones, Jeannette Winterson, Common, Alice Walker, Thomas Sayers Ellis, The Roots, Phonte, Dave Grohl, Kehinde Wiley, Robert Glasper, Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, Frank Ocean ...locally, I am inspired by people like SUPERgroup, Toki Wright, Tacoumba Aiken, Laurie Carlos, Paige Collette, J.T. Bates, Michael Lewis, Mally, K. Raydio, Todd Clouser, Sha Cage, Samantha Johns.

. . Overall I dig on folks that have a sense of perspective, style and grace in portraying their own story. To me being an artist isn’t just about technique in your medium. Artistry should be something you do with your whole mind, whole body and in every aspect of your life.

How did you get involved with SU?

Heidi Jedlicka and I were meeting for a reunion drink after her return from South Korea.  As we were catching up, she mentioned that SU was still looking for a few men for THE RAVAGERS, and wanted to know if I was interested. I was, and Blake called me the very next day. A few days later rehearsals began, and I was all about it. The stars totally aligned and I couldn't have been happier!

What excites you about SU?

Many many things. Here are a few:

SU does new work. I love new work. LOVE. IT. Further, these new works are allowed to grow so much throughout the process of creating them that, by the end, everyone involved feels ownership over what is presented.  It is such a satisfying and welcoming process for artists.

SU loves the audience. Loves them enough not only to challenge them and deliver thought-provoking work, but to also have a conversation with the audience about that work. Sometimes, the audience even gets to truly help shape the work, as in RAPTURE. Love it.

SU is made up of some really wonderful and inspiring artists. They aren't afraid to take risks or to challenge one another, and they have welcomed me in to the fold. Squeee!!!

See this cutie in action during the FINAL RAPTURE READING, eek! (for awhile, anyway) November 2 and 3 at 7:30p at Interact.

The writing team of Savage Umbrella’s current creative baby sure has hit the ground running. Trust me when I say our Google Drives overfloweth with scenes and material these talented scribes are creating.

Rachel Nelson stares out at the writing team of Lisa Brimmer, Megan Clark, Seth Conover, Timothy Otte, Blake E. Bolan and Tanner Curl, who are furiously pounding away at keyboards before being taken up.

Here’s the story the writing team started with:

In Rapture, a tenth of the world’s population suddenly disappears. This isn’t a biblical event. It is pieced together that all those who vanished were, in some fashion, artists. The media dubs the event, "The Artists’ Rapture." Two of those left behind are Evelyn and Lucy, a grandmother and granddaughter. Evelyn is a commercially successful painter. Lucy is a post-college artist trying to figure out who she is and what/why she wants to create. They are both left wondering, "Why wasn’t I taken in the Rapture?" Joining Evelyn and Lucy: the alcoholic specter of controversial artist Thomas Kinkade and a young, enthusiastic art appreciator, Eddie.

Intrigued? There are THREE chances for you to engage with the creative process! Open table readings on Sept. 22 and Oct. 12, and then a public workshop Nov. 2 and 3.

Join us THIS weekend! On Saturday Sept. 22 at 7:00 pm actors will read scenes hot off the press, followed by a social hour featuring home brew, nosh, and a chance to give YOUR feedback to the artists. This will all go down at The Cake Shop, a hot, house-show venue in South Minneapolis - RSVP to [email protected] for address and directions.