Workhouse Theatre’s growing audience base knows they have a special amenity in their neighborhood. A quick rundown of crew and cast rosters over the past two years suggests that Camden theatre artists were ahead of that curve.
These local theatre practitioners, of which there are many, have traditionally had to seek opportunities in the hundred-and-some-odd other producing theatre companies that dot the Twin Cities artistic landscape. Artistic Director Jeff Redman explains how Workhouse Theatre promotes a relationship that is mutually beneficial to both artist and company, “With the number of artists that call Camden home, we have always envisioned WTC to be the place where they would feel comfortable ‘plying their craft.’”
Such artists have lent their talents to a wide variety of essential crafts, such as costuming (Bruce Stripe and Jessica Kullander), graphic art (Travis Olson), lighting (Mark Webb), set design (Sara J Leigh), music (Don Eitel) volunteer coordination (Jenni Redman), and photography (Duane Atter).
The push for local artists onstage began in the 2006-2007 season, as WTC staged a series of six Reader’s Theatre installments. These bare-bones, staged readings gave Northside artists a chance to test the theatrical waters close to home, and featured the local talents of performers Linda Sue Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Heidi Berg, Jason Dressen, Tine Frederickson, Jeremiah Gamble, Garry Geiken, Jeff Johnson, Doreen Keuseman, Noe Tallen, and Redman, himself. Northsiders Cris Tibbetts and Diane Mountford were among the directors during that influential run of shows which established the Workhouse Theatre Company in its current, permanent space at The Warren, at 44th Avenue and Penn.
Next up for Workhouse Theatre is ‘Night Mother, a play which received a standing ovation during that same Reader’s Theatre series. In May it returns for a full theatrical treatment. Workhouse Theatre is particularly pleased to note that this haunting and unforgettable two-person play, which received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will feature Camden’s own Miriam Monasch in her first appearance on the Workhouse Stage. “I got a call from a director that I’ve been interested in working with for quite a while,” says Monasch. “He asked me to audition for ‘Night Mother and when he told me where it was being produced, I was delighted!”
Monasch, who moved to the neighborhood 10 years ago, is an experienced performer with such notable acting credits ranging from Theatre in the Round to Park Square Theatre to History Theatre. In a course of realization that seems typical for other locals artists (as well as other residents), she says, “The first I heard of Workhouse was a couple of years ago. Of course, we were already patrons of Steamworks and Rix and some of the other businesses up here. When we learned that The Warren was opening, I was pretty fascinated. An arts space within bicycling distance? Hallelujah!”
‘Night Mother will be performed May 2-5, 8-10 and 16-17 at The Warren (44th Ave N and Penn Ave N). To learn more about Workhouse Theatre or to find out about volunteer opportunities, email info@workhousetheatre.org, call 612-386-5763, or visit The Warren.