Arts Activities Support

906 patrons attended 15 performances and 113 attended the three complementary programs, all of which were free. Surveyed patrons aged 18-49 made up 26% of "Bad Jews" attendees, up from 6% for our previous production. A valuable connection was made with participating community partner Beth Jacob Congregation, which brought in 15 of 47 young patrons who attended the 20s and 30s Night. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company produced a top quality regional premiere of "Bad Jews" at the Highland Park Community Center, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s theater home. It ran for 15 performances, April 30 to May 22. There were 906 attendees. The production received 6 reviews noting its artistic achievement as a “sharp comedy” (Star Tribune) that was “compelling, hilarious, well-acted” (Cherry and Spoon) with “masterful direction” (MN Playlist). We received over 15 unsolicited messages through email and social media from impacted audience members who identified with the emotional performances. Michael S. emailed us to say “There were audible sobs from the audience before applause at the final curtain, a fine example of why I love the theatre.” The project successfully fostered thought about personal identity in our diverse and assimilated society. The blog TC Jewfolk praised the production for posing “deeply personal questions about identity and legacy” and providing “opportunity for community discussion.” Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s Outreach and Engagement committee designed three Doorways programs to facilitate conversation around Bad Jews: a continuing legal education seminar that weaved perspectives on inheritance from secular law, Jewish law and familial obligation; a storytelling event at Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s space that allowed patrons to share their own family drama; and a 20s and 30s Night which offered patrons 20-39 discounted tickets ($15) and entry to a private event with the Bad Jews cast at the Highland Grill restaurant. These Doorways programs were attended by over 100 patrons: 52 at the continuing legal education seminar, 47 at the 20s and 30s Night event and 14 at the storytelling event. Patrons aged 18-49 made up 26% of Bad Jews attendees, compared to 6% for our previous production ("The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife"), proving success in engaging our target audience. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company made effective use of social media to reach our target audience. During our Facebook campaign (March 13-May 28), our page averaged 322 unique users/day with users ages 25-34 making up 30-40% of those reached/week. Through incentive-led marketing, we held ticket and gift card giveaways, and discounted student group tickets ($14) and student rush tickets ($12). We offered comp tickets to reviewers from culture sites (American Jewish World, TC Jewfolk, Not So Kosher podcast) and theater blogs (Cherry and Spoon, MN TheaterLove, MN Playlist, Talkin’ Broadway) to increase visibility to younger audiences who read and share information online. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company created a one-to-one communications plan to offer group sale packages and engagement opportunities. We contacted university-level students and community organizations. We faced some challenges with universities whose semesters were ending and groups whose own programming prevented participation. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s most significant partnership was with Beth Jacob, who co-promoted 20s and 30s Night. 15 of the 47 attendees at Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s 20s and 30s Night came through Beth Jacob’s efforts. As a cultural learning experience on identity, assimilation and community, "Bad Jews" brought together a diverse audience. Through our survey at time of their ticket purchase, our audience self-identified religious and cultural backgrounds. 64% self-identified as Jewish, higher than our average. Other audience members described themselves as Atheist, Agnostic, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopalian, Muslim, Lutheran, Messianic, Presbyterian, Protestant, and Unitarian. While Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company always produces stories based in Jewish content, the questions "Bad Jews" posed around how to “correctly” perform Jewish identity may have attracted a larger percentage of audience members who are Jewish. This project was promoted for teens and up, and successfully drew patrons aged 18-49 (26%), 50-64 (31%) and 65+ (42%). Nine artists and staff involved with the show were in our target age range of 18-49, four of whom were new to the theater. The Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company’s Outreach and Engagement committee brought together a diverse group of staff, artists and board members to plan our three Doorways programs. The programs explored the themes of the play and impacted over 100 participants, including artists, cultural leaders and community organization leaders. Our performance space was advertised in all materials as fully accessible. 15 patrons requested access seats including wheelchair seating and seats without impediment of stairs. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company also designated one performance for audio description. In addition to our range of ticket pricing ($32-12) and group discounts, patrons 20-39 were eligible to receive discount tickets ($15) to attend on a designated 20s and 30s Night performance. Doorways programs were free and open to the community. The theater is accessible by several public transportation lines. As a supplement, Beth Jacob Congregation, one of our Doorways event partners, already had in place a volunteer system of providing transportation to make events accessible to both Beth Jacob members and non-Beth Jacob members. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company 20s and 30s Night attendees were able to participate through this system.