Top 10 of 2016 by Hannah

12/15/2016

Well, friends, here we are in our last few weeks of 2016. And what a year it has been.

There have been some wild successes, many challenges, and a whole lot of experiments along the way. I would be lying if I said I wasn't pretty excited to kick ol' 2016 to the curb on December 31st (I think we can agree that it's been a pretty rough one, right?), but that doesn't mean I'm not so, so thankful for the beauty, learning, and conversation that has come out of this tumultuous year.

As for 2017, we've got big plans. We're bringing back some old favorites like THE AWAKENING (an original adaptation of Kate Chopin’s landmark feminist novel), EX-GAYS (a scathing socio-political camp satire), and THE RAVAGERS (a site-specific and haunting version of Aeschylus’ THE SUPPLIANTS). We're continuing our commitment to supporting the voices of emerging ensemble makers through NIGHT OF NEW WORKS. We're digging into a brand new workshop with VELVET SWING (inspired by the notorious tale of Evelyn Nesbit). And on top of all that, we've got some new experiments up our sleeves!

All of these works open up conversations of who we are, how we are, where we come from, and how we all exist together in this complicated, messy, beautiful thing called life. In times that feel ever-changing and uncertain, we are committed to sharing stories that ask important questions, tickle funny bones, haunt dreams, and transform hearts. We feel energized, excited, and ready to get to work. But we can't do it alone (nor do we want to). We want to do it with you.

Will you join us under the umbrella
with a year-end contribution of $10, $20, or $50?

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TODAY

Together, with your generous support, we're able to make theater that engages, reflects, and inspires. We're excited to make this work. We're excited to have you be a part of it. Thank you for contributing the resources it takes to create new theater and keep Savage Umbrella going strong.

Together is better... and we're better together with you.

We'll be making some exciting announcements over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, here are 10 of our favorite moments from 2016 (in no particular, though mostly chronological, order):

1. Creating JUNE as part of ARTshare

Photo credit: Dan Norman

We kicked off another year of ARTshare with the JUNE, a story about community, resilience, and the often unheard stories of queer women. And audiences were really into it:

"[JUNE] was so captivating. A truly important piece of theater. Thank you for sharing that story with the world!!"
"It's hilarious and sad and sexy and brave. You will find yourself somewhere on that stage."
"So thoughtful, complete, fresh, surprising, haunting. What a cast!"

2. Launching Night of New Works at SPACE

Photo credit: Carl Atiya Swanson

Night of New Works launched this year featuring brand new works-in-progress by local makers: Katie Kaufmann, Harrison David Rivers, and collective unconscious performance. Where are they now?

collective unconscious performance just closed the full production of sleeping beauty in the wood!
Katie Kaufmann was recently awarded an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to continue her work on Keeper of the Light.
Harrison David Rivers is rockin' it all over as the 2016 Playwright-in-Residence at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and a Core Writer at the Playwrights' Center.

3. Digging into the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Workshop

We asked you to join us in the year 2066 for the workshop of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Through the lens of revolution and what could be scripture, we examined leadership, communal thought, and survival strategy as the connective tissue between zeitgeist ideas and social movements. Talk about conversations that have become even more relevant...

4. Learning, sharing, growing at #MTASTC

We had the opportunity to share space, conversation, and creation methods with other artists at the first annual Minnesota Theater Alliance Statewide Theater Conference! It was a theater camp experience of our dreams, and we can't wait to go back next year!

5. Partying with PENELOPE at the MN Fringe Festival

Photo credit: Carl Atiya Swanson

PENELOPE got funky in the park during the MN Fringe Festival and was a 2016 Critics' Pick by Twin Cities Arts Reader. We had so much fun, and our audiences did, too!

"I wasn't sure what to expect from Penelope, but what I got was a quirky fun show with strong characters and some great physical acting."
"Loved the use of the park as a venue, and I loved finding a scene to watch and being able to peek at something odd happening in another scene."
"You get a great show, great characters, the great outdoors, and glimpse of what more productions should be doing: taking a chance on being different."

6. Performing JUNE at the Ivey Awards

The cuties of the JUNE cast performed at the Ivey Awards (and some even said it was "hands down [their] favorite moment"). What an honor to perform on the same stage with so many Twin Cities powerhouse artists. Definitely an unforgettable night.

7. Celebrating with the BIG PARTY at SPACE

We had a really fun party! There was food and drink. There was a cake walk. There were games and sneak peeks. There was even a late night impromptu dance party. We felt the love and had so. much. fun. <3 <3 <3 (Also worth mentioning, all the incredible work throughout the year by other awesome artists in SPACE!)

8. Haunting with SWEET DREAMS, ALFIE at #TCHFV

Photo credit: Dan Norman

We had the opportunity to reimagine SWEET DREAMS, ALFIE for the fifth annual Twin Cities Horror Festival! It was hilarious and terrifying, and we loved every minute of it. MN Theater Love did, too:

"This is probably the most unsettling show I've seen at the Twin Cities Horror Festival, but unsettling in a wonderful, thoughtful way. You can just feel that it's made with authenticity and kindness. [...] A well-told (and rather sad) story, with haunting imagery and marvelous performances. This show will stay with me for quite some time."

9. Blushing because we're on the cover of a magazine!

JUNE was named the #4 top production of 2016 by Lavender Magazine! It was also nominated by BroadwayWorld.com for Best Ensemble Performance in a Play and Best Original / New Work. We are so humbled to have this work recognized alongside other incredible makers in the Twin Cities. *blush blush blush*

10. Announcing our tenth anniversary season

We announced our tenth anniversary season full of stories and conversations that are near and dear to our hearts. Keep your eyes peeled for our TENTH BIRTHDAY PARTY (yay!) sometime in July 2017. We can't wait to celebrate with you.