Operating Support
Operating Support
Illusion Theater`s mission is to create theater that touches people of all ages deeply and personally, that energizes the community around important and complex social issues, and that illuminates the myths and realities of our times to catalyze personal and social change.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Officer-at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Officer-at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
ACHF Arts Access
Illusion will engage Minnesotans in thoughtful discussions and reflection on race, gender, culture, ethnicity, and other issues through its productions. Track audience attendance; document feedback to plays online and via email, website, and social media; qualitatively assess and document post-show talkbacks that occur at least weekly during the season. 2: MN youth will gain theater and leadership skills, developmental assets, and be better prepared for further education through Illusion's arts programs. Track number of school/organization partners and youth participating; survey/interview youth participants and teachers, school staff, and organizational leaders.
Illusion produced six plays engendering discussion by Minnesotans about current issues including racial equality, gender equality, ethnicity and others. Conducted and documented post-show discussions following performances. Documented online and media feedback. Conducted and documented debriefs with participating artists. Tracked audience attendance at all performances. 2: Illusion delivered arts education to 4,300+ Minnesota youth, including 2,453 students who received special arts/leadership training to help prepare them for high school. Maintained accurate records of number of participating schools and youth. Conducted pre- and post-program surveys and interviews with youth participants. Conducted post-program interviews teachers and school staff.
Other, local or private