Twin Cities director Kristopher Lencowski on the pleasures of independent, smaller venues and an extensive Mashup collection of indie theaters in the area
The Guthrie and Ordway Center are indubitably gems of Minnesota’s theater scene, drawing star talent from across the country to perform on their stages. But artistic risks are hard to take when you’re working to ensure the continued survival of big-budget, plush surroundings and aiming to please large mainstream audiences. Smaller theater companies carry the benefits youth: they are freer to experiment and more likely to hazard a flop for the sake of innovation. Simply put, these independent companies and smaller venues are still hungry and their productions are all the more exciting for that passion. For this issue of a+E we’ve compiled an extensive list of indie theater companies in the area for the Mashup collection, and Twin Cities director Kristopher Lencowski offers a persuasive pitch for checking them out. To make it even more attractive to line up the babysitter, mnAccess hooks you up with discounts to two fantastic shows opening next month presented by a couple of wonderful up-and-coming theaters. You Are Here offers an eclectic mix: magic, sex, tragedy, independent film for kids, and rollergirls. And don’t forget to check out One for the Road for a silly video that would make Sid and Marty Krofft proud.
