Arts Activities Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Fortune's Fool Theatre
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2015
End Date
September 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Arts Activities Support
Project Details
Funding to produce the North American premiere of Why We Laugh: A Terezin Cabaret, a play by Kira Obolensky, adapted from a cabaret written by Jewish prisoners during World War II. Performances will take place at Open Eye Figure Theatre September 2015.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Julie Andersen: Eagan Art House Executive Director; Jill Anfang: Roseville Parks and Recreation Program Director; Bethany Brunsell: Music Teacher and performer; Kathy Busch: Realtor, Shakopee School Board Member; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Joan Elwell: Lakeshore Players Executive Director; Mary Erickson: Eastern Carver County Schools Community Education; Anthony Galloway: Actor, storyteller, West Metro Education Program; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; Coleen McLaughlin: Arts Midwest Director of External Relations; Tom Moffatt: Silverwood Park Supervisor; Christine Murakami Noonan: Minnesota State Fair Foundation; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Rachel Smoka-Richardson: Minnesota Public Radio Development Officer; Dameun Strange: Composer and performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Joseph Hagedorn: Marketing, organizational development, education; Jason Peterson: Artistic; Paul Rudoi: Artistic, administration; Donna Saul Millen: Administration, organizational development, volunteerism; Cathy Gustafson: Administration, education; Denise Tennen: Artistic, youth programming, administration; Ellen Fenster: Artistic, administration, education.
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$10,330
Direct expenses
$20,330
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

We expect 400-700 people of a wide range of ages to experience both Kira Obolensky's artistry and the authentic voice of Jewish prisoners in World War II, and to learn something about the Holocaust--while, at the same time, enjoying themselves. We will work with Holocaust education groups and Jewish arts councils (as well as other community groups) to maximize attendance, and we will provide surveys for all audience members so that we can measure our success. We will have panels after two shows that will give audience members to learn more about Terezín, the Holocaust, and the making of this play; the number of audience members who stay for the panels and the degree to which they participate will be one way we will measure success. The number of audience members will also be a measure of success, but equally importantly, we will survey attendees to a) find out what effect the play has had on them b) gather demographic information to see how diverse our audience was.

Measurable Outcome(s)

476 audience members attended a musical theatre piece created by 12 Minnesota artists. According to surveys and according to feedback at two post-show events, they were moved to both laughter and sorrow as they were educated about the past. We offered discounts and two (2) pay what you can performances, thus enabling large numbers of audience members an affordable theatrical experience.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Chris Carlson, Roy Close, Jane Johnston, Wendy Knox, Erin McGonagle, Ruth Virkus
Project Manager
First Name
Daniel
Last Name
Pinkerton
Organization Name
Fortune's Fool Theatre
Street Address
2113 22nd Ave S
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55404
Phone
(612) 298-2783
Email
fortunesfooltheater@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency
Location

PO Box 14106
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114 

Phone
Project Manager: Kathy Mouacheupao
651-645-0402
Email the Agency