Musical Theatre in Minneapolis: Theater Latté Da
Minneapolis is a hidden gem of a city. A lot of people look past it due to the unpredictable weather and unbearable winters, which I don’t blame you for – they can be brutal. However, what you shouldn’t look past is the absolutely amazing arts the city has to offer. Minneapolis is ranked 2nd in live theatre per capita next to New York City. It is home to one of the top regional theatres, The Guthrie, and also has the 3rd largest theater market in the U.S. Are you surprised? You should be. Minneapolis is definitely an underdog.
I am now reacquainting myself with Minneapolis theatre after a few years in Chicago and San Diego and have had nothing but great experiences so far. The current project I’m involved in is with Theater Latté Da. They are a powerhouse musical theatre company who make it their mission to “seek to create new connections between story, music, artist, and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theatre.” They produce amazing work and are a theatre company you should keep your eye on.
My involvement with Theater Latté Da started fairly recently; I am a Production Assistant for their workshop series NEXT: New Musicals in the Making. The workshops showcase 3 new musicals with 3 performances each. The first show I had the pleasure of working on was Lullaby with a book by Michael Elyanow and music and lyrics by Jonatha Brooke and Michael Elyanow. It was a wonderful way to start off the series and it was truly a remarkable reading. Next up in the series is The Last Queen of Canaan with a book by Harrison David Rivers, music by Jacob Yandura, and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik. I was blown away after only one rehearsal and can’t wait to see how the show continues to transform. The final show of the series is Stu for Silverton with a book by Peter Duchan and music and lyrics by Breedlove. Rehearsals will begin shortly for Stu for Silverton and I can’t wait to see what is in store. If you are intrigued by the creative teams involved or want to learn more about the shows, make sure to click here.
It has been an amazing experience so far getting to see the process of a new musical up close in person from rehearsal to rehearsal. The great thing about these workshops is that they are very interactive with the audience. Each performance includes a post-show discussion with the creative team. It is a great opportunity for people to discover and learn more about the process while it also benefits the writers as they hear actual feedback from the audience.
This is just one example of the really exciting work being produced in Minneapolis. If you find yourself in the area, do yourself a favor and see a show, any show. You will not be let down.
Behind the scenes of Steerage Song, an original docu-musical developed by Theater Latté Da that was presented in 2013.
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