THEATER CRUSH THURSDAY
The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers are taking this long intermission in live theater to highlight some of our favorite #TCTheater Companies.
Ten Thousand Things Theatre has a unique mission. They bring theater to people, performing in schools, shelters, jails, and in smaller venues like the one I attended at Open Book in Minneapolis to see their most recent "Thunder Knocking on My Door" and other shows. Most of the paid performances sell out. They keep their set and props to a minimum. The cast is usually small. This one has five actors and two musicians, and a few stage hands. The founder Michelle Hensley started the theater company in 1991. Her book "All the Lights On" is an insightful look at doing theater and making it accessible to all people. Marcela Lorca has taken over as Artistic Director and is carrying on the excellence of TTT.
Most of the time, I drive to Minneapolis to see their performances at Open Book. I always check to see where they're bringing the show around the state. They brought "Elecktra" up to Emily, MN, which is closer to my home.
What impresses me most about the creative team of TTT is how they get to the heart of the story. I am emotionally connected to the story and characters. Perhaps, it's the intimate experience, small spaces, chairs set around the acting space, you can see every eye twitch and facial expression, and their musicians are always top notch. What must this experience be like for someone who is incarcerated? They bring life and imagination to each performance. Themes of the shows bring out the human experience, ask questions, and give hope.
- Mary, Play off the Page
