Making a Scene
Welcome to our new series, Making a Scene (formerly Spilling the HT) with Artistic Director Ron Peluso and Artistic Associate Laurie Flanigan Hegge and the people who make it happen at History Theatre. It's a chance for us to share the inside scoop of what's happening with YOU, our loyal History Theatre audience.
Now Streaming
Episode 7: RUNESTONE!
Ron and Laurie catch up with the creative minds behind Runestone! Mark Jensen (playwright) and Gary Rue (composer). Hear about their long-time collaboration and the Runestone's journey from page to the stage. Video by Pedro Juan Fonseca
Posted April 28, 2022
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Previous Conversations
Episode 6: PARKS
Parks is the compelling coming-of-age story of prolific American photojournalist, film director, musician, and writer Gordon Parks. Interviews with Talvin Wilks (Director) and Kevin Brown, Jr. (starring as Gordon Parks). Video by Pedro Juan Fonseca
Posted March 18, 2022
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Episode 5: "Not for Sale"
Join us for a fascinating conversation with two remarkable professors from St. Catherine University , Dr. Taiyon Coleman and Dr. Daniel Williams. Take a deep dive into the context of "Not for Sale," a new play by Kim Hines and Barbara Teed, now playing at History Theatre through Feb. 27. Learn why this story is deeply relevant to the communities in which we live and how racial convenants, redlining, and a history of housing injustice continue to harm communities of color today.
Posted February 8, 2022
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Episode 4: "Welcome Richard D. Thompson, new Producing and Directing Associate"
History Theatre is excited to welcome Richard D. Thompson to the artistic staff as our Producing and Directing Associate. This is a new position designed to expand capacity and perspectives of the artistic decision-making team which includes Artistic Director Ron Peluso and Artistic Associate Laurie Flanigan Hegge. In his new role, Rick will produce Raw Stages: New Works Festival (Jan 13-16, 2022), the theater's new works series, assist with planning for the mainstage shows.
Posted December 17, 2021
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Episode 3: "Christmas of Swing: The Andrews Sisters USO Show"
Tune in for a very special conversation with Dr. Harold Brown, a WWII Tuskegee Airman. Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American miltary aviators in the United States Armed Forces. Dr. Brown is our featured guest as a character in our all-new adaptation of "Christmas of Swing: The Andrews Sisters USO Show." Also joining the conversation is Kevin Brown, Jr. who will portray Dr. Harold Brown in the all-new musical.
Posted November 17, 2021
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Episode 2: "Not in our Neighborhood"
History Theatre Artistic Director Ron Peluso and Artistic Associate Laurie Flanigan Hegge talk with "Not in our Neighborhood" lead actors Darius Dotch and Erin Nicole Farsté about starring in History Theatre's first mainstage production since the pandemic cancelled in-person shows in March of 2020.
Posted October 7, 2021
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Episode 1: "Welcome Back"
History Theatre Artistic Director Ron Peluso and Artistic Associate Laurie Flanigan Hegge discuss the highly anticipated reopening of History Theatre by giving an overview of the 2021-22 Season and the safety protocols History Theatre will have in place for performances. Cheers and welcome back!
Posted September 24, 2021
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Episode 15: "Diesel Heart" and Policing
Playwright Brian Grandison and author and former St. Paul police officer Melvin Carter Jr. return for a deeper dive into the complex relationship between community and policing. Brian and Melvin share their personal experiences and perspectives about the role of policing as seen through the lens of Melvin’s memoir, Diesel Heart, the inspiration for a new play in development at History Theatre.Posted May 21, 2021
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Episode 14: The Root Beer Lady
In this episode, Ron Peluso and Laurie Flanigan Hegge chat with Kim Schultz, the writer and star of the new one-woman plan, "The Root Beer Lady." Posted April 23, 2021
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Episode 13: Jack and Lily
Ron and Laurie chat with artistic directors Jack Reuler of Mixed Blood Theatre Company and Lily Tung Crystal of Theater Mu about their roles in new play development and how they tackle social and economic issues in the Twin Cities theater landscape. Listen to how both theaters have adapted to virtual programming during the pandemic. Posted February 26, 2021
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Episode 12: Education, Vail Place
Ron and Laurie shine a spotlight on our Education Department headed by Paul de Cordova. Interviews with Stefano LoVerso (Vail Place Development Communications Manager), Annie Enneking (Teaching Artist) and Fatuma Ali (Vail Place Clubhouse member). Posted January 22, 2021
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Episode 11: Raw Stages 2020 workshop: The Betty Crocker Musical
New episode explores how the legend of America’s First Lady of Food will be turned into a musical. Featuring interviews with former General Mills researcher and cook Barbara Jo Davis, playwright and lyricist Cristina Luzarraga, composer Denise Prosek, musical director Jason Hansen, dramaturg Susan Marks and director Austene Van. Posted November 27, 2020
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Episode 10: Raw Stages 2020 workshop: The Boy Wonder: Stassen Musical
Ron and Laurie are back with another installment of Spilling the HT! This time on the making of the next Raw Stages reading, The Boy Wonder: Stassen Musical, a new musical that explores the life of a man who was supposed to be President. Until he wasn't. Hear from Harold Stassen's daughter Keen Berger Stassen, playwright/lyricist/composer Keith Hovis, musical director Brian Pekol and dramaturg Richard D. Thompson. Posted September 23, 2020
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Episode 9: Raw Stages 2020 workshop: Wilson's Girl
Wilson's Girl is an emotionally-charged recounting of the turmoil in Albert Lea during the 1959 Wilson's meatpacking strike as seen through the eyes of a teenager. Hear from History Theatre Board Member Lois Duffy, playwright Eva Barr, director Laura Leffler and actor Norah Long. Posted September 18, 2020
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Episode 8: Behind the Scenes: Sweet Land, the musical
Spilling the HT with the creators Laurie Flanigan Hegge, Perrin Post & Dina Maccabee and actors Ann Michels and Matt Riehle. Posted September 13, 2020
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Episode 7: Raw Stages 2020 workshop: Diesel Heart
Watch an emotion-packed conversation about Diesel Heart, the second new work in Raw Stages 2020 on Zoom. Hear author Melvin Carter Jr., playwright Brian Grandison and director H. Adam Harris discuss this timely piece. Posted August 21, 2020
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Episode 6: Raw Stages 2020 workshop: Not in Our Neighborhood!
Hello from History Theatre's first virual Raw Stages 2020 on Zoom workshop, "Not in our Neighborhood!" Hear from playwrights Eric Wood and Tom Fabel, director Richard D. Thompson and actor Aimee K. Bryant. "Not in our Neighborhood!" streams on August 7-13, 2020 on Zoom. Posted July 24, 2020
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Episode 5: Cast of Glensheen
Hello from the cast of Glensheen on what would have been their opening day! Catch up with Ron, Laurie and the Glensheen team as they reflect on the last five years and revisit fond memories of creating and performing this History Theatre blockbuster hit. July 10, 2020 would have been opening day of the seventh run of this show. Cheers to them and our audience, who we all miss. Posted July 9, 2020
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Episode 4: Behind the Scenes with Rick and Gunther
Go behind the scenes with Scenic Designer Rick Poleneck and History Theatre's veteran Technical Director Gunther Gullickson in the shop where "it" happens! Posted July 2, 2020
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Episode 3: The Highwaymen
A conversation with playwright Josh Wilder and members of the cast of Josh’s play THE HIGHWAYMEN, which premiered at History Theatre in 2017. The play tells the story of how I-94 was routed through St. Paul’s thriving Rondo neighborhood, decimating the city’s Black community. Special guest Melvin Carter, Jr., who grew up in Rondo in its heyday. Posted June 26, 2020
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Episode 2: PARKS, a portrait of a young artist
PARKS creators Harrison David Rivers and Robin Hickman-Winfield of SoulTouch Productions will share about a new work commissioned by History Theatre. It tells the story of a young black man's journey to becoming an artist, as he endures poverty, racism, and violence during his lifetime. Gordon Parks brought a depth of understanding and humanity to his photographs, films and writing that still resonantes today. His book "A Choice of Weapons," served as an inspiration for this new work by playwright Harrison David Rivers. Robin Hickman-Winfield, Gordon's great niece, served as a consultant to the project. To learn more, go to HT blog post. Posted June 12, 2020.
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Episode 1: Laurie Flanigan Hegge
Artistic Director Ron Peluso and Artistic Associate Laurie Flanigan Hegge look back on their long history of collaboration at History Theatre. Posted May 15.
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Note: Topics and dates are subject to change.
Your Hosts
Ron Peluso (History Theatre Artistic Director) Now in his 25th season as Artistic Director, Ron has commissioned over 90 playwrights and composers and produced more than 70 original works, including the popular Sisters of Swing and Beyond the Rainbow. He has also commissioned and directed Jeffrey Hatcher’s critically acclaimed scripts A Piece of the Rope and Tyrone & Ralph. He commissioned The Incredible Season of Ronnie Rabinovitz from Eric Simonson after directing his Broadway-hit play Lombardi in 2012. He has directed over 175 professional productions with such companies as Florida Stage, Riverside Theatre, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Old Creamery Theatre, and the Minnesota Opera. Ron holds an M.F.A. in Directing from the University of Minnesota.
Laurie Flanigan Hegge (History Theatre Artistic Associate) is a Twin Cities playwright and lyricist. Her plays include: Dirty Business, Sweet Land, the musical, Twenty Days to Find a Wife, Hormel Girls, and Tales Along the Minnesota Trail (History Theatre premieres) and Loose Lips Sink Ships, See Jane Vote, and Boxcar. She serves as the Twin Cities Regional Representative for the Dramatists Guild.