Community Arts

The Park Theater Company’s production of 8 performances of Finian’s Rainbow achieved and exceeded its artistic goals. This production provided a theatrical production of the highest quality for the residents of St. Louis Park and surrounding communities. It also engaged 21 local actors and musicians ages 7 to 70, 60% who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, in song and dance, supported by 34 volunteers as tech support, set construction, transportation, ushers, and front of house personnel. Nine of the performers were under the age of 19 years old. The selection of Finian’s Rainbow addressed the relevant social issues of race, social status, immigration, income inequality, and political oppression. This production has resulted in a stronger and broader platform for the support of community theater in St Louis Park. The Park Theater Company was able to engage Julliard-trained, and accomplished, international musician, Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell as its Musical Director. Mr. Phipps-Kettlewell had served as the Musical Director of The Park Theater Company’s production of The Forger’s Apprentice – The Musical in June 2015. Five of the principal actors had also been part of earlier The Park Theater Company productions while 16 were new to The Park Theater Company. Finian’s Rainbow was the first formal stage experience for five of the youth performers. Under Mr. Phipps-Kettlewell’s musical direction and the stage direction of Jim McDonough Jr., The Park Theater Company’s Board Chair, the troupe of performers was able to coalesce and gain command of the script and score with 13 two-hour rehearsals in November prior to opening night on December 2, 2016. The set, stage dressings, props, lights and sound created an enchanting and captivating context for the performances. Master craftsman and The Park Theater Company’s Artistic Director managed the design and construction of the set. Another long-term The Park Theater Company Board Member, performed in her first The Park Theater Company production and coordinated and managed the youth choral. The significant challenges with this performance were scheduling the venue and securing the lead principal performers. The two lead actors who were specifically cast for their roles had to abandon the project after the first four rehearsals because of unexpected work commitments and transportation limitations. The original choir which indicated an interest in the production was not able to commit to the project because of lack of availability and other performance commitments during the holiday season. So the Director was compelled to re-cast the leads and assemble a choral ensemble in 10-days during on—going rehearsals. The Park Theater Company would secure written commitments from the principals with specified circumstances that might interfere with their performing. In June 2016, the Jewish Community Center Theatre Manager asked The Park Theater Company to reschedule because the Management strongly wanted to accommodate a new client request for time in November. This placed The Park Theater Company performances in the most hectic and competitive times of the holiday season but resulted in a significant rental fee reduction. The Park Theater Company did successfully reach its intended community regarding artists, performers, participants, volunteers and audiences. The total number of audience attendees was 56% or 555 persons of the proposed target of 1,000 persons originally projected in the project proposal. The Populations Benefiting in regard to age, diversity and access were not significantly different from the original projections and objectives. The group of artists/performers/volunteers/audience attendees engaged in this production was the most diverse, in regard to age and race, ever in The Park Theater Company’s eight-year history of producing theatrical performances in St Louis Park. The age range of performers was from age seven to seventy and racial diversity included three African Americans, one Korean American, and seventeen of European Descent. The audiences were similarly reflective of this racial diversity. Accessibility was ensured for those audience members with disability challenges including physical, emotional, and social challenges. Specific arrangements were made for the hearing impaired including hearing aid loop technology, microphones and sign language interpreters. Over 200 complimentary tickets were provided to community members including fifteen Sabes Jewish Community Center Inclusion Program participants, 25 veterans and their families, 50 seniors, and 10 low-income families. Meeting the projected general attendance objective of 1,000 persons was not reached due to changes in community notification in local community newspapers, and as a result only being able to purchase advertising for the last four performances. The first four performances had 225 audience attendees while the last four performances had 330 audience attendees resulting in a 47% increase in the second weekend. Increased advertising and targeted group solicitation through the schools, places of worship, and senior residences will be implemented for future productions. Three successful project outcomes include engaging 55 artists and volunteers in St. Louis Park; performing for 555 audience members including 315 paid attendees and 240 complimentary admissions; and attaining 100% of audience satisfaction and reviews in the “Good to Excellent” categories measured by written comments and one to one interview responses with 20% attending multiple performances.