Victory resident, Jeff Redman, is probably familiar to most of you through his work as Artistic Director of the Workhouse Theatre Company (WTC). I’d like you to help you get to know Jeff a little better and what drives him to produce such good theatre in Camden. The end result, I hope, is that you’ll be curious enough to join the audience for the next season.
Jeff admits reluctance when he and wife Jennifer came from South Minneapolis looking for a larger home in Camden seven years ago. With small children they were concerned about what they’d heard about the Northside, but they moved into their dream home with an open mind and are now active community residents and supporters of Loring Elementary School. Jeff is committed to helping others gain a better perspective of our community with theater.
As an eight-year teacher at Sandburg Middle School Jeff fought fiercely, under threat of budget cuts, to maintain the theater arts programs because of the value he sees for students in exploring everything from creative play and imagination to problem solving and working as a team. He believes in the transformative power of theater and is thankful for the opportunity to combine his two passions in a fulfilling career.
When he’s not teaching, he’s an active dad, community supporter and the driving force that challenges the WTC with edgy and thought-provoking productions. “The Workhouse Theatre’s mission is to provide the residents of the Camden neighborhoods with an opportunity to attend and to participate in quality theatrical works.”
WTC has collected data showing that nearly half of their production staff and crew have been/are Camden residents. WTC participants have contributed thousands of hours in volunteer time to ensure these quality productions by Camden residents. Their research goes on further to show that cast and crew as well as theater patrons are pumping thousands of dollars into the local economy by partnering with and promoting neighboring businesses. They estimate about $10,000 in theater related spending occurred in the Camden area with just their last three productions.
These are the benefits of Jeff Redman’s contributions to our community so far: sustainable commerce, quality theater with thought provoking topics which create community dialogs (and more local commerce when we do it over coffee or dinner out), a little income for the staff and crew, and volunteer opportunities for folks with an itch for theater. When actors and theater patrons ask questions like, “If I go outside, am I going to get shot?” “I’ve never heard of this neighborhood before. This is North Minneapolis, right?”, Jeff helps change their perceptions. And when excited Camdenites who’d driven past thousands of times are glad they finally stopped in, he knows his efforts are paying off.
There are three exciting new plays coming next season including a comedy putting Jeff back on the stage! Why don’t you come see what your neighbors are talking about! For more on WTC visit www.workhousetheatre.org.