The cast of commedia dell’arte performers battle for the spotlight in WTC’s June performance of A Company of Wayward Saints.
As the curtain closed Saturday, June 23 on the final performance of the play A Company of Wayward Saints, Workhouse Theatre Company (WTC) successfully completed their first full season of theatre in Camden. The full-length play on the new Workhouse Stage at The Warren drew quite a few audience members, and due to a partnership with Papa’s Pizza and Pasta, residents were able to have dinner and go to the theatre right in their own neighborhood. Audiences enjoyed the show and left eager to see what the next theatre season brings.
This past season has seen the company build upon previous success to become a vibrant, fully functioning theatre. By partnering with The Warren: An Artists Habitat (44th and Osseo Road), WTC has been able to provide the Camden community with more artistic and entertainment options than the area has seen in quite a while. Committed to the Camden neighborhoods, WTC has been able to draw talent and audiences from the greater metro area into Camden to experience the business and culture of North Minneapolis.
WTC’s Reader’s Theatre Series at the Warren was able to entertain residents with a wide range of theatre styles and themes, seating over 250 audience members for the six installment series. The low-cost, relaxed theatre offerings provided audience members with a chance to sample plays from many different genres. The popular Prometheus Bound brought ancient Greek theatre to Camden and saw an “All Camden Cast” bring to life the Greek story of the birth of human intelligence. The September 11-themed The Guys showed the audience a different side of the tragedy and No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre proved that indeed “Hell is other people.”
In another of a long line of firsts for the area, the week of August 6 to August 10 will feature a partnership between WTC and the Three Rivers Park District. The the two will collaborate to present the only environmentally-themed drama camp in town at the Kroening Interpretive Center. Act Out! Summer Camp is geared towards kids that are “naturally” dramatic. Students in the weeklong camp will work with WTC company members and interpretive naturalists to explore themes from nature; learning acting skills as they develop a deeper understanding of the environment. The camp will culminate in a final performance for family and friends. Register at the Three Rivers Park District registration line, 763-559-6700.
Staying true to the mission of the company, WTC will appear for the third year in a row at both Mississippi Heritage Day and Holiday on 44th. The company is already hard at work developing new pieces for the neighborhood festivals, and is looking for some Camden talent to help round out the cast and crews. Last year’s Mississippi Running, by company member Valerie Borey, involved some very enthusiastic audience members. The audience participation laughfest drew large crowds, so festival planners are increasing the number of hay bales for this year.
The 2007-2008 theatre season will kick off in the fall with three plays chosen to encourage conversation and debate in the community. Marsha Norman’s ‘Night Mother, which received a standing ovation during last year’s Reader’s Theatre series, returns for the full theatrical treatment. WTC class instructor Carolyn von Hauck will direct David Mamet’s Oleanna, an intense play about communication, power and the pursuit of knowledge. Finally, Steve Martin’s The Underpants will round out the season. Called “laugh out loud funny” by the New York Times, The Underpants examines the fleeting price of fame.
WTC is the only resident theatre company producing theatre in Camden. In addition to expanding the arts and cultural offerings in the area, they are continually seeking to provide a creative outlet for established and aspiring theatre artists that call Camden home. For info call 612-237-2014 or visit www.workhousetheatre.org.