Arts Activities Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,400
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Minnesota Shakes
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2017
End Date
April 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Arts Activities Support
Project Details
Funding for Minnesota Shakes, a nine week teen acting program providing an opportunity to produce a Shakespearean play in the round and learn the fundamentals of Shakespearean acting from the highest caliber teaching artists in a safe, diverse environment
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Julie Andersen: Eagan Art House Executive Director; Bethany Brunsell: Music teacher and performer; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Marisol Chiclana-Ayla: Artist, Board Chair of El Arco Iris; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Tricia Khutoretsky: Public Functionary Curator and Co-Director; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Artistic Director of World Music and Dance and the International Children’s Festival; Coleen McLaughlin: Arts Midwest Director of External Relations; Tom Moffatt: Silverwood Park Supervisor; Osman Mohamed Ali: Somali Museum of Minnesota Founder and Executive Director; Kathy Mouacheupao: Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation Cultural Corridor Coordinator; Adam Napoli-Rangel: Artist; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Djenane Saint Juste: Afoutayi Dance Company Founder; Andrea Sjogren: Hopkins Public Schools Youth Programs Coordinator; Dameun Strange: Composer and performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Carrie Vecchione: Administration, artistic, youth programming; Daniel Peltzman: Administration, organizational development; Denise Tennen: Artistic, Community Education, finance; Kari Schloner: Administration, artistic, finance; Lacey Prpic Hedtke: Artistic, administration, fundraising; Christopher Bineham: Administration, fundraising, artistic; Sara Kleinsasser Tan: Administration, artistic, education; Adam Courville: Administration, Community Education, artistic; Huda Farah: Community Education.
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2015 Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,400
Other Funds Leveraged
$2,860
Direct expenses
$8,260
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

15 students from different socio-economic backgrounds will learn Shakespearean acting techniques (voice, movement, textual analysis) while performing The Comedy of Errors in the round. Three goals are: 1) Challenge the students' intellect and their assumptions by engaging with difficult material 2) Expand worldview 3) Cultivate both compassion and confidence through collaboration across multiple boundaries. Students will also interact with and learn from visiting guest speakers and presenters from the Minneapolis theater scene who will both address the participants about the craft of acting and share exercises around acting, voice, and movement techniques through a workshop format. The students will see a professional Shakespeare production and enjoy a Q and A session with the actors. Finally, by hiring two professional Shakespearean teaching artists, Minnesota Shakes is able to provide the best training to the students and ensure growth and guidance. Success is defined by (1) Did the students enjoy themselves and feel proud of what they learned and shared? (2) Were they challenged theatrically and intellectually? (Most students will not seek a career in theater; however, the Shakespearean knowledge and confidence of stage acting will serve them throughout their lives.) (3) Did they grow through collaboration and benefit from the diversity and friendship of the other students? Since we also welcome a wide range of theatrical experience into the program, success for each student can be very different. As long as we encourage the type of success listed above, each student will have an opportunity to be challenged and express in a safe, non­-judgmental environment. At the close of the session, the students will perform for their friends and family. The students, audience, teachers, and families will all be given evaluations. The board will review the comments and make necessary changes.

Measurable Outcome(s)

13 students participated in the spring program. On the performance day, 22 people attended the show. Of the students, 7 were returning students and 6 were new. They all increased their comfort with and knowledge of Shakespearean acting. The students grew through comedic acting and learning stage combat that has a slapstick element. We saw strong growth in group work.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Kim Ford, Josie Owens, Kate Powers
Project Manager
First Name
Josephine
Last Name
Owens
Organization Name
Minnesota Shakes
Street Address
1918 Humboldt Ave S
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403
Phone
(415) 497-2767
Email
josie@minnesotashakes.org
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