Fire fighters visit caps off Workhouse Theatre Company’s Reader’s Theatre Series Premiere
By: Dan Hylton 10/01/2006
The capacity crowd attending Workhouse Theatre Company’s performance of Anne Nelson’s 9-11 themed The Guys was treated to a special visit and demonstration by Minneapolis Fire Department Captain John Romero and Humboldt Avenue Fire Station #20 crew members on September 8 at The Warren art gallery.
In The Guys, New York City fire captain, Nick (Mark Thiel), works with journalist, Joan (Elaine Thompson), individually recalling the men in his command who died in the World Trade Center tragedy, while attempting to prepare their eulogies. Immediately following this intimate look into the lives of fallen heroes from that day, large bay doors were thrown open revealing the Minneapolis fire crew members and engine with lights flashing. A surprised audience offered up a spontaneous burst of applause to greet and pay tribute to the visitors, who had pulled up, as quietly as is possible for a fire engine, in the final moments of the performance.
“One of our goals as a theatre company is to take a play that would otherwise be a little abstract and make it more real for the audience with connections like this,” said Artistic Director Jeff Redman. The cast and director spent time with members of the Station #20 crew to research what it means to be a firefighter. They were taken on tours, tried out equipment, were given a rundown of firefighting techniques, and were treated to firehouse stories from Captain Romero in order to add a richness to their characters and the performance.
“Workhouse Theatre Co. is here for Camden and we are working to make any kind of connection we can between the community and the theatre arts. On an individual level, a business level and a public service level,” said Redman. “All of us know that a willingness to work together can only benefit Camden and the arts. I love that everyone coming to see our show was able to mill about in The Warren’s galleries and see their new exhibit, Hunting and Gathering. And, if I’m not mistaken, almost everyone in cast, crew and audience trekked across the street to Rix (restaurant), following the show. That’s just great.”
The next in the Workhouse Theatre Company Reader’s Theatre Series is ’Night, Mother by Marsha Norman. It will be directed by Camden resident Leann Olsen and performed at The Warren, Osseo Rd and 44th Ave. N. on Friday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. For info/tickets visit www.workhousetheatre.org.