Arts Activities Support

We engaged 644 audience members over 10 performances. 100% of post-performance survey respondents indicated connection to the themes and a positive experience of the work through thoughtful and engaging feedback. In addition, audience members reacted overwhelmingly positive in post-performance informal conversation and on social media: "A truly important piece of theater." (Audience member) We greatly surpassed our artistic goals for this project: GOAL: To develop a high quality production in which all artists involved are integral to and invested in the production. EVALUATION: The artistic process for researching and creating JUNE was inspiring for the artists involved. Many of the performers approached the director to say how important the process was to them as queer women. Some had never had the opportunity to play a character with which they identify, or that has a romantic or complex story (they are often playing boys or older women or animal characters; the funny parts). They described the experience as “life-changing”: having your first stage kiss (at age 28), or exploring a character that looks and moves like you, or researching a place in time that opened the doors for who you are today. We focused on creating a cohesive team and a respectful rehearsal room from the start and it made a huge difference. From performers during the process: “I feel like the cast is bonding quickly because you have created a safe, respectful space. I'm very excited and grateful to be a part of this project.” "I have to say, it's been awhile since I've felt this excited to be going to rehearsals where I don't know anyone. It feels wonderful to be creating with, and getting to know, a whole group of kick ass women. Thank you for including me in this process. I couldn't be happier to be involved." "I feel like a completely new person." GOAL: To serve as a space for critical thought and conversation in our community. EVALUATION: Our audiences engaged in thoughtful post-show conversations, and brought those conversations out into their communities. This buzz around this show on social media (including positive reviews and thematic conversation) was unprecedented for Savage Umbrella: “It's important that you go see Savage Umbrella's JUNE at the Southern if you want to support art that has a message relevant to our community. Even better, it's relevant beyond our community and pretty much everyone would benefit from seeing it. It's hilarious and sad and sexy and brave. You will find yourself somewhere on that stage. And you will be confronted with people that maybe you never thought about, but you probably should have.” (Unsolicited audience feedback via Facebook.) Audience members who identify as queer thanked us for telling this story and said, “This is exactly what I needed” and called it “a truly important piece of theater.” Audience members who do not identify as queer reported connecting the universal themes and gaining expanded knowledge of this tumultuous historical time. Our post-performance community talkback was not well attended, but the conversation was incredible. Instead of a formal structure, we adapted to have an informal conversation in the audience seats including the cast and company. In the future, we plan avoid holding talkbacks on Sundays and publicize the event much further in advance. We view our community as two core (and often intertwining) constituencies—artists and audiences. ARTISTS: As we described in the previous question, we were incredibly successful in engaging our artists on this project. The performers, musicians, designers, and other team members built the production from the ground up including the characters, story, music, and mood. Each artist expressed feeling integral to the process as a whole (and expressed interest in working with Savage Umbrella in the future). In post-production artist surveys, the following feedback was provided: “This project was very focused and we had a lot to inspire us. The structure around the free-wheeling creation helped us make the most of the time.” “Communication of expectations was very clear, and my input was valued.” AUDIENCES: Audience members of ARTshare are much less likely to fill out post-performance surveys than audiences we’ve encountered in other venues. Possible reasons for this include that more attendees are new to Savage Umbrella, the venue is less intimate, the Southern also asks for a survey (fatigue), and we have a less personal connection with each audience member than we do at our own space. This lack of survey responses means we do not have sufficient data to accurately assess diversity. Anecdotally, our audience was more diverse in age than Savage Umbrella’s usual audience (ARTshare members tend to skew older) and, based on post-performance audience conversations, it seemed there was a much higher percentage of attendees who identify as queer than is usual for the Southern Theater (though not for Savage Umbrella). However, due to the thematic content of the show, it may also be true that more attendees were discussing their own identification than they would after a different production. There may also have been more queer audience members (especially women) because of our marketing and outreach efforts with local queer arts and community organizations. ACCESSIBILITY: We had a number of attendees with mobile impairments that reported being able to engage with the production wholly through quality seating arrangements. Although we made extra efforts to publicize our offered ASL interpreted performance, we did not have any attendees take advantage of this service. This is not unusual for Savage Umbrella (and other small companies). Through conversations with the interpreters, we’ve identified some potential marketing strategies for our next project and will avoid scheduling this service on performance dates that are historically less attended (Wednesdays and Sundays). ADDITIONAL OUTREACH: We also engaged in outreach with theater students at the University of Minnesota (through Lisa Channer). After they attended the production, we attended their class to have a guided conversation about the creative process and themes of the work. It was invigorating and useful for us, as well as the students.