Caption: L'il Bit (Jaime Kleiman) and Uncle Peck (Michael Jurenek) in WTC's How I Learned to Drive. Photo by Duane Atter.
On May 16, to enthusiastic applause, the curtain came down for the final performance of Paula Vogel's How I Learned to Drive at The Warren. The play capped off a season which saw Workhouse Theatre seat over 1,000 patrons.
Yet just five years ago, Workhouse Theatre (then Camden Civic Theatre) began as a small number of community education acting students hosting performances on the final evening of classes. The classes, at Patrick Henry High, were offered and instructed by then-and-now artistic director Jeff Redman, as a way of contributing to Camden's overall quality of life. "It all started with a livability survey in the neighborhood," says Redman. "Curiously absent from the list of businesses a resident would like to see was anything arts and culture related. Well, arts and culture are vital to any sort of renaissance in any community. You can lure all the businesses you want, but if there is no arts and culture scene - it can't last. I wanted to find a way that I could apply my skills and talents directly to the community I live in."
In the few years since, Workhouse has become the envy of many small and emerging companies throughout the metro; boasting a loyal audience base, supportive local business sponsors, and a resident performance space at The Warren - an arrangement which began in the summer of 2006.
Workhouse Theatre has also benefited from a relatively stable array of theatre artists, many who sign on for an entire season's worth of productions. With no rival companies within striking distance, artists that live in the area are more likely to get involved with the one bringing visitors (and accompanying business dollars) into their own community; as well as one which contributes to the Northside's growing air of artistic prestige. And, according to reasoning by the company, a consistent group of collaborators leads to efficiencies in the production process and a growing reputation within the wider theatre community of a standard of professionalism one can expect to encounter when coming on board for a show.
To be sure, Workhouse has managed to draw acting and directorial talent from throughout the metro. And while winning an "Overall Excellence in Theatre" Award at the Twin Cities Ivey Award Ceremony last September certainly didn't hurt [past directors and actors alike expressing interest in returning for future shows, according to one company member, "...mostly as a result of their own positive experiences of involvement."]
Through it all, however, the theatre remains steadfast in its Camden roots, and a guiding mission of theatre that is accessible to Northside audiences - captured in a mission statement penned by Redman five years ago: "We work to shatter the myth that an evening of theatre must cost a day's wage, and we find ways to make the abstract ideas of many plays a reality for the people. Theatre does not need to be obtuse or expensive to be good."
After five years of change and growth, Redman's current musing on the topic is uncanny in hitting the same notes: "Through all the artistic efforts on the Northside, I believe that the community may be starting to see what a wealth of talent we have right here in the community. There is no need to go downtown, uptown, St. Paul. You can have access to it all right here where you live."
Workhouse Theatre's 2008-2009 season was sponsored by Papa's Restaurant & Deli, Steamworks Coffee & Tea Company, and Camden Pet Hospital.