Raw Stages 2024 Line-Up
When I first arrived at History Theatre in April of 2022 to start my position as the New Works Associate, the first thing that landed on my desk was the file folder full of I AM BETTY information. A draft of the script – with edits scribbled in pen and no second act yet! It's apropos that the first assignment on my desk was to support a new work in progress. Of course, that’s what I was hired for, but also, that is the bedrock of what History Theatre does.Over the years History Theatre has been investing more and more into our new play development processes. In addition to our public Raw Stages festival which we produce every January, we have an internal series called the Next Stage workshops, which generally happen over the summer. History Theatre values and nurtures new work – which puts us in a unique position in our Twin Cities community. Our emeritus Artistic Director Ron Peluso used to say, “You can’t just pull plays about Minnesota history off the shelf!” Our current Artistic Director, Richard D. Thompson, says we want to expand the breadth of our storytelling and celebrate the joys and triumphs of all Minnesotans, Midwesterners, and Americans who laid the path to who we are today.
I hope you’ll join us this coming January as we nurture and support five new works and their makers in our next Raw Stages: New Works Festival.
- You’ll love a new collaboration between veteran writer Bob Beverage and the composer from I AM BETTY and music director extraordinaire, Denise Prosek. Bob and Denise are cooking up one of Richard’s first commissions as the newly seated Artistic Director with the musical DAYTON’S – a story honoring Minnesota legend Jack Barkla and his ingenious designs for the Dayton’s department store.
- Brian Grandison, who deftly penned DIESEL HEART last season, will delight us again with his one-man story of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, who you may also know as one of the purple people eaters of the 1970s MN Vikings.
- Veteran theatre maker Rick Shiomi will turn his hand to writing the story of Nisei linguists – second-generation Japanese Americans – who used their language skills as code breakers during WWII at Camp Savage.
- We welcome back Jenna Zark, whose work was last seen on the HT stage back in the 2000-2001 season, with her take on the life and accomplishments of the brilliant and difficult Kate Millett.
- And we round out the festival with HT newcomer Josef Evans, and his musical about Nellie King, a Minnesota outlaw and wild woman of the late 19th century.
Each of these writers will be paired with a director, a dramaturg, the musicals with a music director, and a cast of tenacious actors who will read drafts, offer feedback, try out material, maybe even improvise a bit, and prepare for you a new and exciting story about our shared past. Finally, the last magic ingredient in the new play stew is you – your feedback and ideas in the Raw Stages audience help us enormously to know what works. Please mark your calendars now to join in on the new work fun, January 10 – 14 in the auditorium next to our theatre. See you at Raw Stages!
- Laura Leffler, New Works & Producing Associate
Maximo Kalaw: "Presenting A Sketch of Our National Life"
Catch THE BOY WONDER. Now playing through Oct 29.
In the preface to his novel The Filipino Rebel, Maximo Kalaw wrote that he “began cherishing the hope of presenting to our people and to the world a sketch of our national life." This resonates for Eric Pogi Sumangil as “someone who has wanted to represent our culture on stages/screens.”
Sumangil plays Maximo Kalaw in THE BOY WONDER. “It's been rare in my career as an actor to have the opportunity to play a Filipino onstage, and it's been even more rare to play an important historical figure from the Philippines with the Philippine flag flying behind me.”
Dr. Kalaw was a strong advocate and agitator for Philippine independence from the US occupation of the Philippines. He was educated at the University of the Philippines, University of Washington, Georgetown University, and got his doctorate at the University of Michigan. He put his intellect to great use as a pioneer of political science in the Philippines.
As we come to the end of Filipino American History Month we honor the history, pursuits, accomplishments, and legacy of Filipinos in the United States. It also serves to provide a link between Filipinos in the U.S. and Filipinos in the Philippines by showcasing their shared culture and heritage.
Sumangil wrote The Debutante's Ball a coming-of-age story set within Minnesota's thriving Filipino community, which premiered at History Theatre in March 2015.
“It's an honor for me to bring even a small part of Dr. Maximo Kalaw's life to the History Theatre stage in The Boy Wonder.”- Eric Pogi Sumangil
Maximo Kalaw quotes
- "The foundation for the Philippine trouble rests on the fact that America has deviated from the principle which she holds sacred--that governments derive their first powers from the consent of the governed."
- "The people must see to it that the tremendous power of the government is not misused: that the public welfare is ever its goal; that it always carries out the will of its citizens; that corruption and inefficiency do not waste the nation's substance; and that it lives up to its primal functions of justice and protection for all."
- “Without belittling what America has done for the Philippines, it must be recognized that the progress towards democracy in the Philippines has been due mainly to the materials that America found there.”
Catch THE BOY WONDER. Now playing through Oct 29.
We can't do this without YOU!
We heard your calls to renew the stalls!
We know that the theatrical experience includes every space in the theatre we visit, even if only for a short period of time. One area of our space that has generated a chorus of requests for an upgrade is the bathrooms.
We’re delighted to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution from one of our amazing donors, construction began shortly after the summer production of GLENSHEEN and the end is near.
What to expect: 2 NEW ADA-accessible private bathrooms and cosmetic updates for the existing bathrooms including paint, new stalls, and updated accessories.
Want to be part of this renovation? Your donations through October 8, 2023, will be matched dollar for dollar to continue making these improvements. It's easy, just click Donate Today button below. Every donation is gratefully received, and even a small additional amount moves us closer to our goal.
2023-24 Season opens in October: We are excited to welcome you back into the theatre soon for our fabulous lineup of productions. Our season opens on October 7 with THE BOY WONDER, a new musical exploring the young Harold Stassen’s journey as the youngest governor of Minnesota and the impact he made here and beyond.
Drama in Education
Teaching through the stages of history
Howdy, folks! Did you know that History Theatre hosts an Education Department that actively engages with many neighborhoods around the Twin Cities? Yes, actually. This is only a sample of our work.
All of our initiatives are geared toward facilitating the telling and recording of personal histories and the sharing of narratives. Regardless of the students we're teaching, our classes work to foster reflection and build connection —two qualities that might feel scarce in today's fast-paced, digital world.
We worked with AGAPE, Avalon, and Humboldt High School last year, as well as Vail Place, Episcopal Homes, and Minnesota Independence College and Community. In each classroom, we encourage our students (of any age) to view their own lives through the lens of history and as an integral part of the communities in which they live. We also want to remind them that if they don’t tell their story, someone else might tell it for them. Everyone deserves to be the authors of their own lives, and stories are a powerful way to do just that.
Please send an email to pdecordova@historytheatre.com if you have any more inquiries.
Paul de Cordova, Education Manager
HT Around Town
History Theatre at St. Paul Pride Festival
As a proud sponsor of the first St. Paul Pride Festival (STP PRIDE), History Theatre was able to connect with so many amazing St. Paul artists, businesses, and organizations that inspire, educate, and celebrate our diverse community and world. It’s great to be able to go out into the community and talk with people about their History Theatre experiences over the years and the exciting season ahead. Thank you to everyone who came to support and say hello at Rice Park!
History Theatre at the St. Paul Saints
Take me out to the BALLGAME! Jen Maren from the cast of Glensheen was invited to sing the National Anthem at the game on June 11, and we were so excited to be there. Since CHS Field is only a few blocks away from the theater, the staff was able to cheer on Jen and our friends at the St. Paul Saints on a beautiful summer day. Jen Maren will play Marjorie Caldwell again in Glensheen, which will return to History Theatre July 8-23.
