Living life by lies.
We are excited to announce that Market Garden Theatre will be producing a show with the Minnesota Fringe Festival 2014! This is our inaugural production of a play commissioned to Amy Seham, professor of Theatre Arts at Gustavus Adolphus. Please note that we are listed under Wolf's Mouth Collective.
Inspired by Ibsen’s Wild Duck, when dead animals start appearing, four millennials, a baby boomer, and an internet guru are forced to examine the lies we live by. Is truth becoming a thing of the past?
Five recent college graduates wrestle with love, work, and the meaning of life in the millennium. With humor and sympathy, the play follows a young idealist, a disillusioned composer, a radical artist, a computer nerd, and a battered wife, as each character confronts his or her own “life lie.” Their responses might surprise the old Norwegian playwright – but then again, we think he’d understand.
We are excited to announce that Market Garden Theatre will be producing a show with the Minnesota Fringe Festival 2014! This is our inaugural production of a play commissioned to Amy Seham, professor of Theatre Arts at Gustavus Adolphus. Please note that we are listed under Wolf's Mouth Collective.
Inspired by Ibsen’s Wild Duck, when dead animals start appearing, four millennials, a baby boomer, and an internet guru are forced to examine the lies we live by. Is truth becoming a thing of the past?
Five recent college graduates wrestle with love, work, and the meaning of life in the millennium. With humor and sympathy, the play follows a young idealist, a disillusioned composer, a radical artist, a computer nerd, and a battered wife, as each character confronts his or her own “life lie.” Their responses might surprise the old Norwegian playwright – but then again, we think he’d understand.
REVIEWS
"Life is very gray and this show illustrated that with the interconnected lives of the characters. Odd and quirky and random--much like our lives."
"Overall, I enjoyed myself and would recommend this show to others who wish to see it in the future beyond the Fringe."
"As a recent college grad, I loved the characters-- their struggles with finding meaning in their post-grad lives and jobs were heartbreakingly accurate portrayals of what it means to be a floundering millennial in 2014. The writing was funny, touching, and, frankly, hit uncomfortably close to home."
"Overall, worth your time"
"Life is very gray and this show illustrated that with the interconnected lives of the characters. Odd and quirky and random--much like our lives."
"Overall, I enjoyed myself and would recommend this show to others who wish to see it in the future beyond the Fringe."
"As a recent college grad, I loved the characters-- their struggles with finding meaning in their post-grad lives and jobs were heartbreakingly accurate portrayals of what it means to be a floundering millennial in 2014. The writing was funny, touching, and, frankly, hit uncomfortably close to home."
"Overall, worth your time"
Minnesota Theatre Garage
711 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
August 2nd at 5:30 PM
August 4th at 8:30 PM
August 6th at 7:00 PM
August 7that 10:00 PM
August 8th at 4:00 PM
Tickets $12 + $4 admission button; save with multi- show passes
https://www.fringefestival.org/
711 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
August 2nd at 5:30 PM
August 4th at 8:30 PM
August 6th at 7:00 PM
August 7that 10:00 PM
August 8th at 4:00 PM
Tickets $12 + $4 admission button; save with multi- show passes
https://www.fringefestival.org/
Cast
Suzie Cheng (Juliet)
Suzie is psyched to be doing her first Fringe show! Active member in the theatre/film scene for the past 7 years, you may have recently seen Suzie in Nacirema: Stories of Color at nimbus theatre as well as the Nurse in YAC's Romeo and Juliet. Other work includes: 'Shift' in Box Wine Theatre's What Happened to the Dollar, 'Selina' in U. of MN/Guthrie Program's Loose Ends, 'Girl' in blank slate theatre's touring company of Disordered [thy name is teenager], as well as being a core artist with the Unit Collective at the Playwrights' Center. Rep: History Theatre, Pangea World Theater, Teatro del Pueblo, Mu Performing Arts, La Mirada Theatre, Directors' Studio, Theatre Terra Firma. Suzie would like to thank her friends and family for all their support, and Baby Sinclair.
Suzie is psyched to be doing her first Fringe show! Active member in the theatre/film scene for the past 7 years, you may have recently seen Suzie in Nacirema: Stories of Color at nimbus theatre as well as the Nurse in YAC's Romeo and Juliet. Other work includes: 'Shift' in Box Wine Theatre's What Happened to the Dollar, 'Selina' in U. of MN/Guthrie Program's Loose Ends, 'Girl' in blank slate theatre's touring company of Disordered [thy name is teenager], as well as being a core artist with the Unit Collective at the Playwrights' Center. Rep: History Theatre, Pangea World Theater, Teatro del Pueblo, Mu Performing Arts, La Mirada Theatre, Directors' Studio, Theatre Terra Firma. Suzie would like to thank her friends and family for all their support, and Baby Sinclair.
Ethan Bjelland (Mark)
Ethan Bjelland originally of Decorah, Iowa, is proud to finally call Minneapolis his new home, having worked in and around the Twin Cities for the last six years. Ethan holds degrees in both Theatre and Scandinavian Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College, with marked studies in the works of Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, community engaged theatre, stage direction, gender and race performance, and translation studies. As an actor, Ethan has spent the last year and half with the Commonweal Theatre Company (Lanesboro, MN), and Festival Theatre (St. Croix Falls, WI). Here in the Twin Cities, he has recently performed with Theatre Pro Rata's Elephant's Graveyard and will be appearing in Shadow Horse's Crazyface.
Ethan Bjelland originally of Decorah, Iowa, is proud to finally call Minneapolis his new home, having worked in and around the Twin Cities for the last six years. Ethan holds degrees in both Theatre and Scandinavian Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College, with marked studies in the works of Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, community engaged theatre, stage direction, gender and race performance, and translation studies. As an actor, Ethan has spent the last year and half with the Commonweal Theatre Company (Lanesboro, MN), and Festival Theatre (St. Croix Falls, WI). Here in the Twin Cities, he has recently performed with Theatre Pro Rata's Elephant's Graveyard and will be appearing in Shadow Horse's Crazyface.
Jay Kistler - Josh
Jay Kistler is a transient South Carolinian who currently lives in St. Paul, MN. His previous credits have been with Shadow Horse, Gadfly, Dana's Boys, Box Wine and Freshwater theatres. He's a member of the Murder Mystery Company who kills people while you eat spaghetti. You can also see him yes anding over at the Brave New Workshop Student Union some Fridays. He barely sleeps and he's beginning to see sound. Enjoy!
Jay Kistler is a transient South Carolinian who currently lives in St. Paul, MN. His previous credits have been with Shadow Horse, Gadfly, Dana's Boys, Box Wine and Freshwater theatres. He's a member of the Murder Mystery Company who kills people while you eat spaghetti. You can also see him yes anding over at the Brave New Workshop Student Union some Fridays. He barely sleeps and he's beginning to see sound. Enjoy!
Constance Brevell (Dahlia)
Constance Brevell is a recent graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College majoring in Theatre Honors and minoring in English. She is very passionate about acting, writing, and reading. She feels very honored to work with such an amazing group of people who welcomed her with open arms. She hopes to continue her career in acting on stage and/or for the camera. But for now, she's going to talk life one giant step at a time.
Constance Brevell is a recent graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College majoring in Theatre Honors and minoring in English. She is very passionate about acting, writing, and reading. She feels very honored to work with such an amazing group of people who welcomed her with open arms. She hopes to continue her career in acting on stage and/or for the camera. But for now, she's going to talk life one giant step at a time.
Fawn Wilderson-Legros (Christina & Aunt Mabel)
Fawn Wilderson-Legros is returning to the MN theatre community after a hiatus during which she lived in France. She has acted with such theatres as the Children's Theatre Co., the History Theatre, the Arena Stage, the Guthrie, Illusion, Jeune Lune, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, Minneapolis' Shakespeare in the Parks, Council of Doom and Zornongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. In 2001, she formed Théâtre du Monde (T.D.M.) to produce Readers Theatre productions in the Twin Cities. However, a one year trip to Paris to pursue an Masters degree in French Cultural Studies and Theatre turned into a stay of several years during which she married a Frenchie and mounted T.D.M. Readers Theatre productions in Paris. She is excited now to be performing in her very first ever Fringe Festival production and is doubly excited to be working with the great creatives at Market Garden Theatre!!
Fawn Wilderson-Legros is returning to the MN theatre community after a hiatus during which she lived in France. She has acted with such theatres as the Children's Theatre Co., the History Theatre, the Arena Stage, the Guthrie, Illusion, Jeune Lune, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, Minneapolis' Shakespeare in the Parks, Council of Doom and Zornongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. In 2001, she formed Théâtre du Monde (T.D.M.) to produce Readers Theatre productions in the Twin Cities. However, a one year trip to Paris to pursue an Masters degree in French Cultural Studies and Theatre turned into a stay of several years during which she married a Frenchie and mounted T.D.M. Readers Theatre productions in Paris. She is excited now to be performing in her very first ever Fringe Festival production and is doubly excited to be working with the great creatives at Market Garden Theatre!!
Creative Team
Amy Seham (Playwright)
Amy Seham (Playwright) has written and directed plays in New York, Los Angeles and multiple cities in between. After graduating from Wesleyan University and achieving her MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University, Amy was Artistic Director of Performance Studio/Free Shakespeare on the Green in New Haven Connecticut, an independent theatre that concentrated on original plays, interactive cabarets, and innovative approaches to the classics. Eight years later, Amy returned to graduate school, earning her PhD in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her book, Whose Improv Is It, Anyway?, based on her dissertation, discusses the development of Chicago-style improv-comedy, and discusses the interplay of race, gender and power on the improv-comedy stage. She has given her workshop on “Resisting Stereotypes in Improv” to academic and professional groups throughout North America, including Second City, Toronto, Fringe Benefits, Los Angeles, and at the Funny Women Festival in Minneapolis. Amy teaches Acting, Directing and Social Justice Theatre at Gustavus Adolphus College. She directs plays and musicals (including several original pieces) and is the advisor for I Am We Are, the social justice theatre troupe in residence at the college. While teaching at Gustavus, Amy spent one early sabbatical semester at Playwrights’ Center, where she taught classes and helped judge play submissions. A more recent sabbatical semester was spent teaching American Drama and Improvisation in Southern China.
Amy Seham (Playwright) has written and directed plays in New York, Los Angeles and multiple cities in between. After graduating from Wesleyan University and achieving her MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University, Amy was Artistic Director of Performance Studio/Free Shakespeare on the Green in New Haven Connecticut, an independent theatre that concentrated on original plays, interactive cabarets, and innovative approaches to the classics. Eight years later, Amy returned to graduate school, earning her PhD in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her book, Whose Improv Is It, Anyway?, based on her dissertation, discusses the development of Chicago-style improv-comedy, and discusses the interplay of race, gender and power on the improv-comedy stage. She has given her workshop on “Resisting Stereotypes in Improv” to academic and professional groups throughout North America, including Second City, Toronto, Fringe Benefits, Los Angeles, and at the Funny Women Festival in Minneapolis. Amy teaches Acting, Directing and Social Justice Theatre at Gustavus Adolphus College. She directs plays and musicals (including several original pieces) and is the advisor for I Am We Are, the social justice theatre troupe in residence at the college. While teaching at Gustavus, Amy spent one early sabbatical semester at Playwrights’ Center, where she taught classes and helped judge play submissions. A more recent sabbatical semester was spent teaching American Drama and Improvisation in Southern China.
Lucas Skjaret (Director)
Lucas is a Twin-Cities based theatre artist who is working in the fields of directing, design, and dramaturgy and has worked both on a national and international level. Graduating summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a B.A in Theatre Arts and a B.A in Scandinavian Studies and studied at The University of Olso and The International Summer School of Oslo. He acted, stage managed, designed and was a production dramaturg on numerous professional and academic productions. His directing credits include: Crush(ed), University of North Dakota; In the Veins, The Unit Collective;Tastes Like Teen Spirit!, Box Wine Theatre and many more with recent assistant directing with Park Square's Behind The Eye (dir. Leah Cooper) and Carousel at Northern Light Opera Co. (dir. Lisa Dove). He is a proud member of the Sons of Norway, The Ibsen Society of America, The Theatre Communications Group, and The Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of North America. lucasskjaret.com
Lucas is a Twin-Cities based theatre artist who is working in the fields of directing, design, and dramaturgy and has worked both on a national and international level. Graduating summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a B.A in Theatre Arts and a B.A in Scandinavian Studies and studied at The University of Olso and The International Summer School of Oslo. He acted, stage managed, designed and was a production dramaturg on numerous professional and academic productions. His directing credits include: Crush(ed), University of North Dakota; In the Veins, The Unit Collective;Tastes Like Teen Spirit!, Box Wine Theatre and many more with recent assistant directing with Park Square's Behind The Eye (dir. Leah Cooper) and Carousel at Northern Light Opera Co. (dir. Lisa Dove). He is a proud member of the Sons of Norway, The Ibsen Society of America, The Theatre Communications Group, and The Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of North America. lucasskjaret.com
Alyssa Thompson (Stage Manager)
Alyssa is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a double B.A in Theatre Arts and Communications. Alyssa is a trained stage manager, theatre director and arts administrator. During her time in North Dakota she was part of numerous productions, both off and off stage. Some such credits include stage managing South Pacific, Anton in Show Business and Bus Stop, while appearing as Loud Stone in Eurydice and numerous parts in Parallel Lives and directed Lee Blessing's Two Rooms. Alyssa also staged managed the premiere of The Sweet Stuff with Chased by an Elephant Theatre Co., which toured in North Dakota, Minneapolis and Chicago and was a Marketing Intern with Children's Theatre Company. In Cities she has staged managed the productions of Happy Birthday, Wanda June and The Lower Depths, The (New) Colored Museum and Freshwater Theatre's Mrs. Charles (May 2014).
Alyssa is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a double B.A in Theatre Arts and Communications. Alyssa is a trained stage manager, theatre director and arts administrator. During her time in North Dakota she was part of numerous productions, both off and off stage. Some such credits include stage managing South Pacific, Anton in Show Business and Bus Stop, while appearing as Loud Stone in Eurydice and numerous parts in Parallel Lives and directed Lee Blessing's Two Rooms. Alyssa also staged managed the premiere of The Sweet Stuff with Chased by an Elephant Theatre Co., which toured in North Dakota, Minneapolis and Chicago and was a Marketing Intern with Children's Theatre Company. In Cities she has staged managed the productions of Happy Birthday, Wanda June and The Lower Depths, The (New) Colored Museum and Freshwater Theatre's Mrs. Charles (May 2014).
Stephanie Rosenthal (Costume Designer)
After Graduating for the University of North Dakota with a Bachelors in Theatre Arts, Stephanie moved to Minneapolis, MN in order to pursue her passion for acting and costume design. In Minneapolis, she has designed for several shows including Orpheus Descending with the Six Elements Theatre Company and Failing Consumption for The Chameleon Theatre Circle . Along with continuing her career in design, she has acted in several films within the Minneapolis area and plans on writing/directing several of her own in the near future. In her free time she enjoys dances and visual art. She is very excited to continue her journey here in Minneapolis.
After Graduating for the University of North Dakota with a Bachelors in Theatre Arts, Stephanie moved to Minneapolis, MN in order to pursue her passion for acting and costume design. In Minneapolis, she has designed for several shows including Orpheus Descending with the Six Elements Theatre Company and Failing Consumption for The Chameleon Theatre Circle . Along with continuing her career in design, she has acted in several films within the Minneapolis area and plans on writing/directing several of her own in the near future. In her free time she enjoys dances and visual art. She is very excited to continue her journey here in Minneapolis.
Theresa Akers (Scenic Designer)
Locally, Theresa has worked with Pangea World Theater and Teatro del Pueblo - Bandara, Mixed Blood Theater - Stars and Stripes, Freshwater Theatre - Beacon of Belle Isle, Mrs. Charles. Regionally, she has worked with Stonestreet Studios in New York as the Production Manager for - Eating Shakespeare (2011), and Party at Micah's (2013). Theresa Akers received her formal training in the boroughs of New York City. She pursued her passion for spatial expression in performance through formal architectural training at Pratt Institute and honing them through a refined study of Spatial Psychology, Visual Design, and Business a Bachelor of Arts from NYU. She will be designing the set for Mu's A Little Night Music playing at Park Square Theatre this summer.
Locally, Theresa has worked with Pangea World Theater and Teatro del Pueblo - Bandara, Mixed Blood Theater - Stars and Stripes, Freshwater Theatre - Beacon of Belle Isle, Mrs. Charles. Regionally, she has worked with Stonestreet Studios in New York as the Production Manager for - Eating Shakespeare (2011), and Party at Micah's (2013). Theresa Akers received her formal training in the boroughs of New York City. She pursued her passion for spatial expression in performance through formal architectural training at Pratt Institute and honing them through a refined study of Spatial Psychology, Visual Design, and Business a Bachelor of Arts from NYU. She will be designing the set for Mu's A Little Night Music playing at Park Square Theatre this summer.
Sponsorships & donors
Mark Sandberg
Ruth Virkus
Scott Pollock
Gustavus Adolphus University, Department of Theatre Arts & Dance
Ruth Virkus
Scott Pollock
Gustavus Adolphus University, Department of Theatre Arts & Dance
