Tradition

3sisters.jpg
The ambitious Cromulent Shakespeare Co. performed Chekhov’s sprawling, complex, classic "Three Sisters" (director: Mitchell "Bucky" Fay; left to right: Allen Malicsi, Tom Emmott, Timothy "Chief" Jopek, Dawn Krosnowski Malicsi, Bethany Ford, and Kate Klippen) in 2008. Photo: Scott Pakudaitus

One of Culture's greatest benefits is that it preserves humanity's shared history—whether it be in Minnesota or around the world. Unlike almost any other modern industry, theater continues to use techniques practiced thousands of years ago and present work created by people long dead. Enjoy articles about the classics as well as oral histories with influential Minnesota theater-makers.

Mirror nature, my ass

by Alan M. Berks • Dec. 30

Tradition

Why Hamlet is the perfect Baby Boomer.

The standard rehearsal

by Alan M. Berks • Nov. 3

Process | Tradition

After thousands of years of performance, most rehearsals share a surprising amount of consistency. Why? Is this good or bad? (Part 1 of 3.)

Meet First Nations Theater

by Rhiana Yazzie • Mar. 5

Tradition | Vision

Great plays about the Native American experience exist. In a state with such a large Native population, Rhiana Yazzie explores a canon we should know better.

Celebration of spirit

by MinnesotaPlaylist • Jul. 1

Greater Minnesota | Tradition

An interview with long-time Minnesota theater legend Don Stolz who "refuses to do a play that presents life as hopeless. . . It just isn't true."

Decade by decade

by Joshua Humphrey • Jul. 1

Tradition

Use this text timeline of Minnesota Theater history to follow along with this month's video interviews.

The big G

by MinnesotaPlaylist • Jul. 20

Tradition

Sheila Livingston came to Minnesota at the same time as Tyrone Guthrie. In the early days, a big G meant cereal, not theater.

Good company

by MinnesotaPlaylist • Jul. 25

Tradition

Stephen D'Ambrose and Barbara Kingsley have built lives as actors in this community that so many admire. They're also such great fun to talk with.

Baby, it's cold outside

by Mo Perry • Dec. 7

Audience | Criticism | Tradition

What is a religious experience? What is magic? What does Fat Man Crying have to tell us about these questions and more?

Generosity and inanity

by Joseph Scrimshaw • Dec. 16

Criticism | Tradition

"Normally when I say 'cult' I’m being negative. This is a special holiday exception. "

A conversion experience

by Tom Poole • Dec. 18

Criticism | Tradition

"The dramatic structure of the play actually seems like the sort of thing a virtuosic theater director might undertake on a dare."

Too sappy?

by John Middleton • Dec. 22

Tradition

Are the biggest cynics really just wounded romantics? John Middleton demonstrates to the Morris Squill that he isn't really Scrooge.

A great space Christmas

by Tom Poole • Dec. 30

Audience | Criticism | Tradition

"You can bet if the Klingons were in two wars at once, and had been for years, they would have the knobby alien balls to own up to it."

Unbearable lightness of holiday theater

by Matt Sciple • Dec. 30

Criticism | Tradition | Vision

Snow can be heavy, dirty, and hard to handle. Holiday shows are not. Matt Sciple thinks they might benefit from a bit more blizzard, a bit less whitewash.

The Minnesota Way

by Quinton Skinner • Jan. 6

Criticism | Tradition

Wendy Knox and Bain Boehlke. Michelle Hensley and Lou Bellamy. Do they have anything in common? Quinton Skinner tracks it down.

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The big art ball

by John Middleton • Jun. 6

Tradition | Vision

What does it mean to think like an artist?

On the Interpretation of Stage Directions

by John Heimbuch • May. 6

Production | Tradition

A playwright writes about how stage directions are handled

Politics and Theater - the Federal Theater Project

by John Middleton • Nov. 8

Tradition

A look back at the Federal Theater Project

Catharsis: From Aristotle to Freud to an Egg Salad Sandwich

by Derek Lee Miller • Nov. 27

Tradition

Derek Lee Miller casts out some thoughts on catharsis.

Who's afraid of The Pirate Bay?

by Ira Brooker • Jan. 7

Tradition

While books, music and movies scramble to adapt to the age of torrents, theater enjoys its unique niche as a virtually pirate-proof art form.

Theater according to film: an actor's take

by Dawn Brodey • Feb. 3

Tradition

If you believe Hollywood, theater folks are nothing but backstabbing, heavy-drinking malcontents. Dawn Brodey takes issue with that... sort of.

Mu Performing Arts looks forward

by Rick Shiomi • Mar. 3

Tradition

Outgoing Artistic Director Rick Shiomi looks back on 20 years of Asian American performing arts and ahead to many more.

The beautiful recyclability of theater

by Ira Brooker • Apr. 18

Tradition

Theater is the rare art form that not only welcomes but requires endless remakes, and that's a great thing.

Art for everyone's sake

by Laurie Flanigan Hegge • May. 2

Tradition

We hear a lot about "art for art's sake," but these theater people are dedicated to making art for the greater good.

Major leadership changes are coming

by C. Andrew Mayer • May. 5

Tradition

In the next 5-10 years, the Baby Boomer founders of most of the metro's mid-sized nonprofits will retire soon. Is it a crisis?

"Major leadership changes" - Our readers respond

by Minnesota Playlist readers • May. 20

Tradition

C. Andrew Mayer’s "Major leadership changes are coming" sparked plenty of conversation last week. Here's a sampling of the most fascinating feedback.

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minnesotaplays: "Why should I see your show?" Our new feature finds two local productions vying for your hearts and minds. #MNPL http://t.co/e0kO0adAD5

JoshuaHumphrey: RT @minnesotaplays: Mobile phones follies in our News & Notes, plus backstage bullies, Fringe fundraising and Bedlam's bounceback. #MNPL http://t.co/O9IClpzKm4

minnesotaplays: Mobile phones follies in our News & Notes, plus backstage bullies, Fringe fundraising and Bedlam's bounceback. #MNPL http://t.co/O9IClpzKm4

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