SHANNON ELLIOTT (Lighting Designer) joins Theatre Unbound for the first time. A Minnesota native, Shannon earned her generals at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and her B.A. in Theatre from University of Northwestern-St Paul. Currently, Shannon works as a tech manager at Minnehaha Academy, freelance lighting designer, and theatre educator. You may have seen her onstage in the Minnesota Fringe Festival 2013 as Tisbe in La Bella Cinderella or Julie in Torch Theater’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Upcoming: Anything Goes with Cross Community Players (Lighting Designer) and Into the Woods with Youth Artists Initiative (Lighting Designer).

 THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Grotesque, Decaying, and Gnarled.

Tell us about your vision for your design/work on this production.
We are working with lighting angles and how they can distort the face, how they can reveal or separate, and the differences in the surreal moments of the play. In my design, I’m looking forward to playing with how to present the storytelling as a dialogue with the audience. A tale of caution and sentimental destruction. The story speaks for itself, Shakespeare needed nothing fancier than his pen and I’m merely inviting the creative.

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
He wrote about the most basic human emotions, ones that transcend generations and yet still hold us captivated and curious. This show has been done thousands upon thousands of times, I’ve seen it staged numerous times myself, and yet we still come back to it and still find reasons for it to be fresh and engaging. Shakespeare shows me that art is not about someone screaming into a void, but calling out to each other to wonder and question. To return to what we know and think deeply, feel deeply, and imagine deeply.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
Currently I’m fascinated by the women pilots in the World Wars, ones that went home silenced and unknown because they weren’t male war heroes. More historical dramas about women in general.

Where is your favorite place to be?
I’m going to say a food place, hopefully it’s alright to make a plug… Shish on Grand. That’s my coffee shop. Only it’s better than a coffee shop because it has hummus.

What’s your motto?
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” (Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare)

SHANNON ELLIOT joins the creative staff for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

JENNY MOELLER (Prop Designer) joins Theatre Unbound for a third time, after writing Synchronicity for this year’s Girl Shorts and directing for the 2013 Xtreme Theatre Smackdown. Jenny is co-artistic director of Raw Sugar and a freelance theater artist. She has had the pleasure of working with Four Humors, Bedlam, Nimbus, Cerulean River Productions, and Stages, among others. She is very excited about being a part of Hamlet and hopes you check out Raw Sugar’s The Funny coming in June at Bedlam Theatre!

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

 In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
rot, coverings, presence

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
Shakespeare used myths and old stories to inspire his work. These are timeless stories, stories that have been kept alive for centuries. There is something humbling about working on stories that have that history and universality to them.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
Something about Ada Lovelace or Rosalind Franklin. They are two super smart women who’s contributions to science and our modern world, who’s works are often ignored.

Where is your favorite place to be? 
Outside with a nice cold drink and a big book.

Who would play you in a movie?
Janeane Garofalo

What inspires you?
Women. Hearing women’s stories is always inspiring.

JENNY MOELLER joins the creative staff for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

LISA CONLEY (Costume Design) designs locally for the Minnesota Children’s Museum, as well as many local theatres, including Swandive Theatre, Minnesota Jewish Theatre, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz, and Public Dreams Theater.  She holds a BA from Hamline University and an MFA from the University of Georgia, and studied traditional Commedia del Arte mask making in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Exploring Women Classically

Tell us about your vision for your design work on this production.
Leah’s created this incredibly neat conceit for the show, of a group of women players presenting this story, and a lot of my work is balancing the presentation of this particular group of women players, with the very human characters they present.  The fun is in keeping it stripped down and simple but still letting their identity shine through the things they wear, and making it fit with each of their characters with minimal additions.

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
As someone who gets to play backstage, I do a lot of Shakespeare because of it, but that opportunity rarely extends to the stage, where a typical production might only have room for 2-3 women tops in a cast of 30.  So despite the utterly beautiful poetry, Shakespeare’s dominance often works in support of the disparity between men and women in the art.  Which is why a production like this, or any one that throws the gender norms, is such an incredible thing.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
All of them.  Honestly.  There is so much theatre in this town, there’s so much potential room for more.

Where is your favorite place to be?
A big comfy chair with tea and a book.

Who would play you in a movie?
I honestly have no idea.  Someone relatively short 🙂

What do you do right before a performance?
Sigh in relief that I get to let my work go and just watch.

What’s your motto?
I don’t really have one, but I love the art rule “Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there is only make.”

What inspires you?
Everything.  I get caught up in projects endlessly.

LISA CONLEY joins the creative staff of Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

NICOLE JOY FRETHEM (Laertes +) joins Theatre Unbound for her second time, after appearing in Lessons of the Woods during the 2012 Xtreme Theatre Smackdown. You may have seen her around town as Olivia in Twelfe Night and Julia in Duchess of Malif with Classical Actors Ensemble, Venus in Dido with Theatre Pro Rata, Dierdre in I Hate Hamlet with Shadowplay Theatre, and numerous roles with Shakespeare and Company in White Bear Lake. Nicole, her husband, Stephen, and daughter, Signe, are excited to welcome a new member to their family this November.

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Unfinished.

Tell us about your character/s in the play.
Each of them has surprised me. I came in to the process with a set of ideas about each of them which has been torn down and rebuilt.

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
I appreciate good stories and beautiful words. Shakespeare was a master at both. Everytime I work on one of his plays I learn more about him and his work and that’s exciting to me.

Where is your favorite place to be?
Snuggled up with my kiddo, husband and dog watching something nerdy.

Who would play you in a movie?
Alyson Hannigan. But she’s older than me so maybe I’d play her in a movie.

What do you do right before a performance?
Run my lines.

NICOLE JOY FRETHEM joins the acting ensemble for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

KATHLEEN A. HARDY (Polonius +) is an actress, singer, voice and commercial talent.  This is her first production with Theatre Unbound and she is excited to be working with such a talented cast. She has performed with several groups including, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Illusion  Theater, Theatre in the Round,  Starting Gate Productions, Troupe America, The John Hassler Theater, Gremlin Theatre, Skylark Opera and The Phipps Center. As the soloist and storyteller, for the Music in the Schools Program of The Minnesota Sinfonia, Kathleen performs for thousands of Twin Cities children, each year.  She attended Macalester College and graduate school  at the University of Minnesota.

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Love, Lust, Revenge

Tell us about your character/s in the play.
Polonius is a good parent, an excellent adviser and humorously verbose

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
I am excited to be able to be one of many who bring Shakespeare’s characters to life. These characters have stood the test of time.  Even though they were written centuries ago, modern audience can still relate to their human experience.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
for colored girls who have considered suicide /when the rainbow is enuf

Where is your favorite place to be?
Hawaii

Who would play you in a movie?
Oprah Winfrey

What do you do right before a performance?
Deep breathing and run lines.

What’s your motto?
Fairness and Justice should go hand-in-hand

What inspires you?
Kindness

KATHLEEN A. HARDY joins the acting ensemble for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

GRETCHEN EMO (Gertrude +) enjoys her first production with Theatre Unbound, and her fourth time playing Shakespeare.  She has played Hippolyta in Midsummer, Celia in As You Like It, and Marrianna in Measure for Measure.  Other noteworthy Twin Cities productions include many with Stages Theatre Co. Including Caroline in Little House Christmas, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Charlotte in Charlottes Web, Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp in Miss Nelson Is Missing, Mrs Murphy in Madelines Christmas, and Mrs Claus in the recent production of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.  Other productions include Chelsea in On Golden Pond with BCT, Helen in Helen with 20% Theatre, Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit with Shoestring Players, Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes with Mayer CAST, and The Witch in Into The Woods with Normandale.  She can also be seen in the upcoming film One Song shot in Excelsior Mn, and on The History Channels America Unearthed. Gretchen would like to thank her Husband and four Ginger children for stepping up and working together so she could make a play with these fabulous women.  I thank God for this experience and ask him to bless yours as you watch us play…

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Challenging, spiritual, therapeutic.

Tell us about your character/s in the play.
Francisco is a nervous Nelly.  The ghost won’t even waste time appearing for him. Gertrude, what can you say?  There are so many layers. Mom, queen, wife, woman.  Strength, power, love, compassion, composure, and a bit of neediness.  She wants to fix, mend, and take care of the brokenness around her, and at the same time let it all go.

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
The significance of Shakespeare to me is its timeless quality of people and relationships.  The  language doesn’t give you room to be lazy.  You have to think, feel, and trust it.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
I would like to see quality, respectful, honest and tasteful plays about biblical women.  Especially Ruth and Sarah (Abraham’s wife).

Where is your favorite place to be?
Outside in the summer at my grandfathers 80 acre farm just outside the cities.  It is a place of nature, space, fresh air and good memories.  I feel close to my mom there.

Who would play you in a movie?
Julia Roberts

What do you do right before a performance?
Pray and breathe deeply.

What’s your motto?
It’s all good.

What inspires you?
Laughter.

GRETCHEN EMO joins the acting ensemble for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

ANNIE ENNEKING (Fight Choreographer) is pleased to make her debut with Theatre Unbound. Annie has been a performer for thirty years. As an actor she has performed on nearly every stage in the Twin Cities, and has choreographed fights for numerous theaters including Park Square, The Children’s Theatre, Frank Theatre, Walking Shadow, Theatre Latte Da, and Ten Thousand Things Theatre. She teaches at the University of Minnesota and at Augsburg College. Annie is a musician and songwriter, fronting the band Annie and the Bang Bang, who are putting out their second album this summer. Annie was a 2010 Playwrights’s Center McKnight Theater Artist Fellow, and recently received the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant (Music) and a Jerome Fellowship in order to create what i want now i will want later, a performance event with music.

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Fierce, true, present.

What inspires you?
People in a room coming together to make something. I try to see what is happening and to build on what I see.

ANNIE ENNEKING joins the creative staff for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

LAURA MAHLER (Horatio +) enjoys her 2nd performance with Theatre Unbound, having recently played Winnie, the rhythm guitarist in Girl Group. She has also performed with Dangerous Productions in Happy Cafe, Happy Craziest New Year and Hear No Evil from the Twin Cities Horror Festival. Laura got her BFA from Depaul University’s Theatre Conservatory and has studied improv comedy with Brave New Workshop and Huge Theatre. When she is not performing, she teaches/choreographs with Stages Theatre Company and plays Roller Derby with the North Star Roller Girls. She is a Captain of the Delta Delta Di’s! Thanks for coming to the show!

 THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Humanity, Ensemble, Theatrical

Tell us about your character/s in the play.
I mostly play Horatio. Hamlet’s Wing Man. His #1 Homie. It is my responsibility to tell the story. Hamlet’s story.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
Jane Goodall’s story!! Think of all the Monkey’s we could play with!!

Where is your favorite place to be?
Outside when its nice out or scoring points on the derby track.

Who would play you in a movie?
Emma Stone.

What do you do right before a performance?
I like to get into the “zone.” Warm up. Sweat a bit and stretch. Sing with the guitar. Laugh and connect with the cast. Make eye contact. Breath Deep and GO!

What’s your motto?
Work hard. Play Hard.

What inspires you?
LYFE and rap videoz.

LAURA MAHLER joins the acting ensemble for Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com

LEAH ADCOCK-STARR (Director) made her Theatre Unbound debut in 2011 (directing 1/7 of Anne Bertram’s Murderess) and is delighted to be returning to their boards with the Bard.  From the Midwest to the Northwest, Shakespeare is Leah’s first theatrical love. Seattle directorial dalliances include a Mardi Gras fueled Twelfth Night at the University of Washington and a stripped-down ensemble driven Julius Caesar with Handwritten Productions.  Notable MN encounters include an outdoor, promenade A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Upright Egg and assisting director Greg Banks on an Ivey Award winning immersive Romeo and Juliet with The Children’s Theatre Company.  Last year, Leah presented work on Shakespeare’s girls and contemporary performance practices at the Societe Francaise Shakespeare 450 conference in Paris.  Leah holds BAs in Theatre Arts and Theology from Hamline University in St. Paul and an MFA in Directing from the University of Washington School of Drama in Seattle.

THEATRE UNBOUND ASKS

In three words, describe this production of Hamlet.
Brave.
Play - full.
Ensemble.

Tell us about your vision for this production.
There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
An act of violence and significant loss has created a  disruption in the natural order of the state on both a personal and political scale and now all touched by the event (whether they realize it or not) must contend with that disruption.  How does one grapple with the rot at the center of a soul?  A mind? A family?  A political state?  These are the questions that the play asks of it’s characters. And it’s audience.

The style of the production is very minimal, it is an actor driven ensemble event.  We want to ignite the text in a muscular way, find a poetry in the physicality and staging of the action, interrogate our assumptions of this iconic piece of classical text, and illuminate the ordinary and extraordinary nature of the characters and their relationships at the heart of the story.

TU puts women’s stories on stage. What is a story about women that you would like to see on stage?
All of them.   We need more than one story.
Stories are important.  Stories create the space for change.  The theatre can allow for a multiplicity of voices heard, where many points of view are revealed, and all kinds of experiences and lives are made visible.  And - I also think Good Stories belong to everyone.  Is Hamlet a woman’s story?  Yes?  No?  It’s a Good Story.  So perhaps it can extend beyond a gender binary - illuminate an experience - expand a point of view - or break open an assumption.   Sometimes it may take a re-framing (like an all-female cast) to unearth and explore the ways in which stories we think we know and believe might be about or belong to someone else, might in fact, be more ours than we first imagined.

Shakespeare is the most commonly produced playwright of all time. Does that hold any significance for you as an artist?
Yes.
It’s a big question; why do Shakespeare?  Still?  (I have a hundred answers…) What is it that compels us to return to Hamlet hundreds of years after the first Hamlet ever took the stage?  What about this playwright and these plays is it that still resonates in us now?  What can we discover?  What can we illuminate about our present moment?  This is a question that drives my work- keeps me coming back to the playground with William Shakespeare.

These plays demand my best; my best work, my best self, my best intentions..  The plays require the artists who take them on to reveal our thoughts and fears and put words to our most intimate and grand experiences - this is what Shakespeare does.  I am at my best - most generous, most playful, most intelligent, most silly, most revealed, most brave when playing with Shakespeare.  I am addicted to that - and that’s why I keep coming back.  Why I’d rather be in the room with Shakespeare than any other playwright.

Maybe that is why we keep making his plays. That, and they are royalty free.

Where is your favorite place to be?
With my husband, Kieran.
or
In rehearsal.
or
By water.
or
On a horse.
or
In the midst of; a great story and a deep glass of red and a big bowl of popcorn.
or
Some magical simultaneous version of all of the above.

Who would play you in a movie?
I would want Ava DuVernay to direct it (and if she’s too busy; Robin Wright) and I’ll leave casting up to them..

What do you do right before a performance?
Breathe.

What’s your motto?
I don’t have a single motto - there are so many great words in the world why limit myself to a single phrase or motto.

Right now I keep  hearing that song on the radio by Walk the Moon.  It gets stuck in my head.  So…amidst all the Shakespeare (To thine own self be true..) and inspiring words of change and art and justice (Ghandi et all ) is this silly perfect nostalgic song on repeat.
My motto today?
Shut up and Dance.

What inspires you?
Every. Single. Brutal. Beautiful. Moment.

LEAH ADCOCK-STARR joins the creative staff of Theatre Unbound’s all-female cast production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

May 16-31, 2015
JSB Tek Box in the Cowles Center
Downtown Minneapolis

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:  theatreunbound.com