Readers of the Star Tribune may have noticed a reference to the creation of a new theatre company to based in Northeast Minneapolis in this article.
The company in question is, in fact, TheatreX . We didn't spend much time talking about it during the interview as it wasn't the focus of the piece, but I wanted to be sure to mention it. And, as promised, more information will be coming soon.
Additionally, residents of Northeast can expect to see another theatre company taking up residence in the area. Morris Park Players, one of the oldest community theatres in the state, is moving to its new home at Edison High School. The company was previously based in South Minneapolis and performed at Folwell Middle School, which closed as of the end of the 2009-10 school year. The company traditionally performs 2 large cast musicals every season as well as an occasional holiday show. Please support them in their new home.
UPDATE 6/4/10:
Saint Anthony Community Theater, which traditionally produces one large cast musical each summer, announced early this morning that the group will not stage a production this year because the high school auditorium isn't available. Instead, they will be offering a selection of youth theater workshops.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Phase 1
Plans are underway for what I will generically refer to as “Phase 1.”
More news to come… SOON!
More news to come… SOON!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A Visit to the Hollywood Theater
Last week I was fortunate to visit the Hollywood Theater on Johnson Street in Northeast Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis, which owns the theatre, was selling surplus theatre seats as a way to raise funds for building improvements. TheatreX purchased some of the seats and I am hopeful that we’ll be able to refurbish them for a special use when TheatreX is up and running.
We chose to purchase the seats for two reasons…
1) We are very hopeful that the Hollywood Theater may yet have a second life, whether as a theatre space or for another use. Any funds we are able to direct to that end are worth it.
2) As TheatreX will be based in Northeast Minneapolis, we’d like to do whatever we can to make sure the company has trademark Northeast elements. Our plans for the vintage Hollywood seats will be a part of that.
I walked about inside the Hollywood for about a half-hour when I went to pick up the seats. The last time I was inside the theatre was 22 years ago, shortly before it closed. I went to see the Steve Martin film ‘Roxanne’ with my Mother and Aunt. I remember how musty the theatre smelled that evening in the summer of 1987. This was shortly after what the media dubbed the “Superstorm,” a line of powerful thunderstorms that raged through the Twin Cities in July of that year. If memory serves me, the storm caused some flooding in the small basement area in the theatre and/or possibly some other water damage, thus the musty smell. Last week when I visited the Hollywood, I was struck by how much large it seemed than I remembered. Part of this could be due to the increase in floor space from the removal of seats, as well as the removal of the ceiling from the asbestos abatement the city undertook.
It’s always been my hope that the Hollywood would be renovated a space for live performance. This has never seemed to be likely because, among other reasons, there is virtually no backstage or wing space off the sides of the stage. While this is very true, it became quite clear that creating a performance space is still very feasible. The stage area would have to be moved to a new location and the seating area would need to be reconfigured. This would not only create a backstage, it would also open up space to be used for a rehearsal room, office space, and a scene shop. Granted, this is easier said than done. Virtually every individual or group that has made an effort to redevelop the Hollywood has encountered one common and insurmountable roadblock: Money.
While it would be like a dream for TheatreX to be involved with the redevelopment of the Hollywood in some respect, it looks very unlikely. We are focusing on raising funds to launch TheatreX… a lofty goal in itself, and one that is nowhere near the magnitude of the Hollywood Theater redevelopment. In the mean time, we have gladly put a small sum toward building improvements by purchasing some of the Hollywood’s “retired” seats. Aside from that, we will anxiously await news of the Hollywood with the rest of the community.
We chose to purchase the seats for two reasons…
1) We are very hopeful that the Hollywood Theater may yet have a second life, whether as a theatre space or for another use. Any funds we are able to direct to that end are worth it.
2) As TheatreX will be based in Northeast Minneapolis, we’d like to do whatever we can to make sure the company has trademark Northeast elements. Our plans for the vintage Hollywood seats will be a part of that.
I walked about inside the Hollywood for about a half-hour when I went to pick up the seats. The last time I was inside the theatre was 22 years ago, shortly before it closed. I went to see the Steve Martin film ‘Roxanne’ with my Mother and Aunt. I remember how musty the theatre smelled that evening in the summer of 1987. This was shortly after what the media dubbed the “Superstorm,” a line of powerful thunderstorms that raged through the Twin Cities in July of that year. If memory serves me, the storm caused some flooding in the small basement area in the theatre and/or possibly some other water damage, thus the musty smell. Last week when I visited the Hollywood, I was struck by how much large it seemed than I remembered. Part of this could be due to the increase in floor space from the removal of seats, as well as the removal of the ceiling from the asbestos abatement the city undertook.
It’s always been my hope that the Hollywood would be renovated a space for live performance. This has never seemed to be likely because, among other reasons, there is virtually no backstage or wing space off the sides of the stage. While this is very true, it became quite clear that creating a performance space is still very feasible. The stage area would have to be moved to a new location and the seating area would need to be reconfigured. This would not only create a backstage, it would also open up space to be used for a rehearsal room, office space, and a scene shop. Granted, this is easier said than done. Virtually every individual or group that has made an effort to redevelop the Hollywood has encountered one common and insurmountable roadblock: Money.
While it would be like a dream for TheatreX to be involved with the redevelopment of the Hollywood in some respect, it looks very unlikely. We are focusing on raising funds to launch TheatreX… a lofty goal in itself, and one that is nowhere near the magnitude of the Hollywood Theater redevelopment. In the mean time, we have gladly put a small sum toward building improvements by purchasing some of the Hollywood’s “retired” seats. Aside from that, we will anxiously await news of the Hollywood with the rest of the community.
Monday, October 5, 2009
‘X’ Marks the Spot
When forming a new theatre company, one unavoidable question one must ask is: “Where will you be performing?”
The fact that the Northeast Minneapolis area really only has one functioning “Theatre” – that is a theatre building that is operating as such (The Ritz Theater) – could be seen as limiting. I, however, feel differently. In addition to The Ritz, the Northeast area has several schools with theatres/auditoriums and churches with stages/gathering halls – these options are often considered the mainstay of “community theatre.” In addition to these spaces, the area is home to The Heights Theatre – a fully restored 1926-built movie theatre with a small stage for occasional live performance, and The Hollywood Theater – a 1935-built movie theatre. The Hollywood Theater currently sits vacant, in great need of repair and rehabilitation. Additionally, there is a new amphitheater at the recently renovated Silverwood Park and a handful of event halls.
As warm and inviting as a nicely furnished theatre space may be (and a luxury that TheatreX may use from time to time), I am hoping to make use of non-traditional performance spaces for many of our shows. Ultimately, the selected show will dictate the type of space we seek out. It could be a warehouse, a vacant storefront, a parking garage, or an open field. Locations will vary throughout Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, and St. Anthony. Not having a "home" venue may be problematic. Publicity and marketing will play an important role in informing the public about our current venue. But, it will help us meet our goal of reaching the broader Northeast area.
The fact that the Northeast Minneapolis area really only has one functioning “Theatre” – that is a theatre building that is operating as such (The Ritz Theater) – could be seen as limiting. I, however, feel differently. In addition to The Ritz, the Northeast area has several schools with theatres/auditoriums and churches with stages/gathering halls – these options are often considered the mainstay of “community theatre.” In addition to these spaces, the area is home to The Heights Theatre – a fully restored 1926-built movie theatre with a small stage for occasional live performance, and The Hollywood Theater – a 1935-built movie theatre. The Hollywood Theater currently sits vacant, in great need of repair and rehabilitation. Additionally, there is a new amphitheater at the recently renovated Silverwood Park and a handful of event halls.
As warm and inviting as a nicely furnished theatre space may be (and a luxury that TheatreX may use from time to time), I am hoping to make use of non-traditional performance spaces for many of our shows. Ultimately, the selected show will dictate the type of space we seek out. It could be a warehouse, a vacant storefront, a parking garage, or an open field. Locations will vary throughout Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, and St. Anthony. Not having a "home" venue may be problematic. Publicity and marketing will play an important role in informing the public about our current venue. But, it will help us meet our goal of reaching the broader Northeast area.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Why Northeast?
The Northeast Minneapolis area may not seem like an obvious choice in which to base a theatre company. After all, how many theatres are there in Northeast?
Reasons for choosing this area...
*Northeast Minneapolis contains the city's official "arts district" and is home to a large annual arts crawl/festival.
*I have strong ties to the community, having grown up in Columbia Heights and worked in Northeast for many years.
*Small number of active theatre groups.
First, let's assign a definition to the Northeast "area" to which I repeatedly refer. The core area and base of operations will be within the boundaries of Northeast Minneapolis - the area contained by the Minneapolis city limits along the North and East and the Mississippi River on the West. The Southern border of Northeast Minneapolis is not as cleanly defined, but roughly follows E. Hennepin Avenue to 35W.
By extension, our definition of the "Northeast Area" includes the city of Columbia Heights on the North, The city of St. Anthony on the East, and the Old St. Anthony/riverfront area on the south. I do not anticipate extending into the University area or across the river to the Downtown and North Minneapolis areas.
This bring me to my next point... our "service area." This may seem like something a foreign concept for a theatre. Why even have a designated area that the theatre serves? After all, isn't it the audience's job to come to the theatre?
While it is our intent to base TheatreX in Northeast Minneapolis (by establishing a business office or box office or resident theatre space), it is also our intent to produce shows at multiple locations within our target area. For example, if we produce three shows in a year, we might produce 1 in Northeast Minneapolis, 1 in Columbia Heights, and 1 in St. Anthony. There is also the possibility of a mini-touring company that would perform a single show at multiple locations, if there is a need for such a venture.
I also want to be clear that there are other theatre groups in this area, including a community theatre and a professional dance/theatre group. We will make every effort to respect these other groups and offer something that they do not.
In the sense that we are targeting a specific area, we could be considered a community theatre, though I don't know if that's an accurate moniker. I believe that our Northeast Area has a very strong identity as a community, and we want to be associated with that identity.
Reasons for choosing this area...
*Northeast Minneapolis contains the city's official "arts district" and is home to a large annual arts crawl/festival.
*I have strong ties to the community, having grown up in Columbia Heights and worked in Northeast for many years.
*Small number of active theatre groups.
First, let's assign a definition to the Northeast "area" to which I repeatedly refer. The core area and base of operations will be within the boundaries of Northeast Minneapolis - the area contained by the Minneapolis city limits along the North and East and the Mississippi River on the West. The Southern border of Northeast Minneapolis is not as cleanly defined, but roughly follows E. Hennepin Avenue to 35W.
By extension, our definition of the "Northeast Area" includes the city of Columbia Heights on the North, The city of St. Anthony on the East, and the Old St. Anthony/riverfront area on the south. I do not anticipate extending into the University area or across the river to the Downtown and North Minneapolis areas.
This bring me to my next point... our "service area." This may seem like something a foreign concept for a theatre. Why even have a designated area that the theatre serves? After all, isn't it the audience's job to come to the theatre?
While it is our intent to base TheatreX in Northeast Minneapolis (by establishing a business office or box office or resident theatre space), it is also our intent to produce shows at multiple locations within our target area. For example, if we produce three shows in a year, we might produce 1 in Northeast Minneapolis, 1 in Columbia Heights, and 1 in St. Anthony. There is also the possibility of a mini-touring company that would perform a single show at multiple locations, if there is a need for such a venture.
I also want to be clear that there are other theatre groups in this area, including a community theatre and a professional dance/theatre group. We will make every effort to respect these other groups and offer something that they do not.
In the sense that we are targeting a specific area, we could be considered a community theatre, though I don't know if that's an accurate moniker. I believe that our Northeast Area has a very strong identity as a community, and we want to be associated with that identity.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Timelines
I've been asked by several people at what sort of timeline I'm looking for the intended launch of TheatreX.
The short answer to that is, "I'm not."
TheatreX has been in development for a while and there was a time when I was working on a timeline. However, I came to realize that forcing myself and the company into a timeline could ultimately compromise the quality of work that is initially produced. I've seen far too many theatre companies start on a whim, only to disappear shortly after.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done and, at present, this is a one-man operation. I'll be continuing to operate as a freelance director, writer, and actor in that time. I also may have a couple of side-projects that I'll be starting before TheatreX launches.
I'm committed to taking my time and doing this right. Thanks for your support and patience.
Good things come to those who wait.
The short answer to that is, "I'm not."
TheatreX has been in development for a while and there was a time when I was working on a timeline. However, I came to realize that forcing myself and the company into a timeline could ultimately compromise the quality of work that is initially produced. I've seen far too many theatre companies start on a whim, only to disappear shortly after.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done and, at present, this is a one-man operation. I'll be continuing to operate as a freelance director, writer, and actor in that time. I also may have a couple of side-projects that I'll be starting before TheatreX launches.
I'm committed to taking my time and doing this right. Thanks for your support and patience.
Good things come to those who wait.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Beginnings
Allow me to introduce TheatreX.
While it would be safe to say that the official launch is still a ways off, TheatreX will be a theatre company serving Northeast Minneapolis and surrounding communities.
It is my feeling that, while a beacon in the visual arts community, the Northeast communities are underserved in the realm of theatre. TheatreX will produce new and existing works that will entertain, inspire, and foster discourse. By this method, we will not only be a part of the community, but help create community.
Updates will most likely be sporadic at first, but will hopefully become more regular as things progress.
While it would be safe to say that the official launch is still a ways off, TheatreX will be a theatre company serving Northeast Minneapolis and surrounding communities.
It is my feeling that, while a beacon in the visual arts community, the Northeast communities are underserved in the realm of theatre. TheatreX will produce new and existing works that will entertain, inspire, and foster discourse. By this method, we will not only be a part of the community, but help create community.
Updates will most likely be sporadic at first, but will hopefully become more regular as things progress.
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