Workhouse Theatre Company is the only independent theatre company residing and producing in north Minneapolis. Based in the Camden neighborhoods of Minneapolis, WTC produces a full season of theatre offerings. WTC collaborates with established and emerging artists to interpret plays generate new theatrical works.
Our Mission
The Workhouse Theatre's mission is to provide the residents of the Camden neighborhoods with an opportunity to attend and to participate in quality presentations of theatrical works.
WTC will accomplish its mission by:
- Producing a broad range of interpretive and generative theatrical presentations of the highest possible quality
- Providing hands-on learning experiences for emerging artists in all aspects of theatre production and management
- Promoting the artistic, creative and civic qualities of the Camden neighborhoods
At Workhouse Theatre Company we believe:
Theatre arts can be accessible to everyone. We work to shatter the myth that an evening of theatre must cost a days wage, and we find ways to make the abstract ideas of many plays a reality for the people. Theatre does not need to be obtuse or expensive to be good.
Lack of a degree in theatre does not mean that you have no right to partake in the creation of theatre. We find ways to bring every interested person into the Workhouse and capitalize on their inherent skills and abilities. We pair the theatre newcomer with a theatre veteran in a mentoring relationship and we challenge participants to reach further than they ever thought possible.
Theatre can be transformative in nature. We look at the Camden community, the Camden residents, and we look at all people as the beginning of a transformation through theatre.
Company History
| September 2006 |
The first full season produced by WTC.
A Company of Wayward Saints by George Herman
No Exit by Jean Paul Satre
*Love Letters by A.R Gurney
*HOUSE by Daniel MacIvor
Scenes from a Christmas Carol by Valerie Borey and Charles Dickens
*Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus
*‘Night Mother by Marsha Norman
*The Guys by Anne Nelson
Mississippi Running by Valerie Borey
* denotes a part of the R9: Reader’s Theatre Series
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| August 2006 |
The company changed its name from the Camden Civic Theatre to the Workhouse Theatre Company. The theatre's dedication to Camden remains the same and WTC still maintains the title of the first and only independent theatre company based in the Camden community. |
| June 2006 |
Neil Simon's The Good Doctor: Marks the first fully produced mainstage production. The production became an instant success and played to sold out houses each night. The final performance became a hit as audience members unable to get a seat in the house vowed to make reservations early next time. The production exceeded all expectations for live theatre in Camden. |
| March 1, 2006 |
Camden Civic Theatre becomes officially incorporated with the State of Minnesota. |
| December 9th, 2005 |
Holiday on 44th (Stories from the Northside): The company reprised their Heritage Day performance at Camden's 8th Annual Neighborhood Holiday on 44th Celebration. The evening included storytelling by David Zander and monologues from Camden's history performed by Jeff Redman, Amanda Harvey, and Valerie Borey. |
| November 21, 2006 |
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson: Presented by members of the beginning acting class on November 21st in the auditorium of the Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis. This informal presentation highlighted the valuable experience that students in a WTC theatre class receive. |
| September 2005 |
First Annual Mississippi Heritage Day (Stories from the Northside): Original monologues researched and written by company member and dramaturg Valerie Borey. The performance included storytelling by David Zander and monologues from Camden's history performed by Jeff Redman, Amanda Harvey, Valerie Borey, Dan Hylton and Jeff Johnson. |
| May 2005 |
An Evening of Nightmares |
| April 2005 |
Camden Civic Theatre is formed as a company of theatre artists at Rix Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Minneapolis. Jeff Redman, Valerie Borey, Kelly McGowan, Doreen Keuseman, Jane O'Brien, and Norma Peterson are in attendance. |
| March 2005 |
An Evening's Diversion |
| December 2004 |
A Snowbound Christmas Carol: The first Camden Civic Theatre production. Encountering a lack of 4 person, family oriented, one act, holiday plays, Redman leads an intrepid band of theatre students through their first "company developed piece". A Snowbound Christmas Carol highlights the inherent talent in the Camden community. Local landmarks, personalities and neighborhood humor pepper the riff on the traditional A Christmas Carol production. Featuring: Wayne Anderson, Doreen Kueseman, Kindi Harala, and Jeff Redman |
| October 2004 |
After a year of planning and structuring, Jeff Redman teaches the first series of beginning theatre classes offered by Camden Civic Theatre through the format of the Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education classes held at Henry High School. |
| October 2003 |
The idea for a permanent independent theatre company in the Camden community was developed and then presented at a monthly Victory Neighborhood Association meeting. The idea was unanimously supported and several in attendance began to offer their names as volunteers. |
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