Shared vision of the Camden arts takes form in Reader’s Theatre Series
By Dan Hylton
Meet Victor. His mother is possessed by the devil, his father is the saddest man in the world, his sister is in love with a dog, the one he loves is not in love with him, and he has no place to live.
Workhouse Theatre Company (WTC) will kick off the spring half of their Reader’s Theatre Series Friday, January 12, with a one-man show based on that premise. Daniel MacIvor’s House is, as the company explains, “an illustration of one man’s inhumanity to himself that presents a troubling portrait in which the ties that bind also terrorize the human heart.” Oh, and a hilarious one, at that.
WTC founder and artistic director Jeff Redman, who has a lengthy Twin Cities theatre scene resume, will make his first onstage Camden appearance as he takes the role of the dysfunction-beset Victor. Northsider Cristopher Tibbetts brings a wealth of experience to the role of director, having directed as well as acted, written plays and taught performance throughout Minnesota. As with all Reader’s Theatre Series shows, House will be performed at The Warren, 4400 Osseo Road.
With ongoing displays of local visual art by Camden artists, art fairs and storytelling events, Duane Atter of The Warren has been working hard lately to establish the intersection of Osseo Road and 44th Avenue North as a nexus of Camden artists and entertainment. And it is this shared vision of increasing exposure and participation by Camden-based artists that led to the current partnership between The Warren and Workhouse Theatre Company.
“With each performance,” says Atter, “the visibility of The Warren has skyrocketed.” He notes how, since its opening on June 3 2006, the facility “has evolved from a personal space to now involve a whole community. The response from the neighbors and businesses surrounding me have been overwhelmingly positive.” The support was certainly evident at the Holiday on 44th event, as an estimated 300 patrons turned out to attend the Workhouse Theatre performance of A Christmas Carol (as well as consume seven gallons of cider, two gallons of coffee, and seven dozen holiday treats). Well-fed attendees from as far away as St. Paul, Minnetonka and North Branch can now return to their communities and tell friends and neighbors about how the Camden visual arts and theatre scene is alive and well. “Most people I come into contact with agree that there is a need for more art/theatre related events in this neighborhood,” continues Atter. “And I feel it is important to make it an accessible experience for all.”
House will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 12. Tickets are $3 at the door and may be reserved at www.workhousetheatre.org. Other upcoming events and activities at The Warren are listed at www.thewarrenhabitat.com