nimbus has begun rehearsal for its next production, tentatively called The Shadows. Rehearsal began Monday, March 11 for this new play that seeks to understand and retell the stories that we have told since the beginnings of time about humans and their relation to the natural world. Inspired by Trickster myths and the many common threads between them, directors Mitchell Frazier and Ernest Briggs had initially started discussing the show concept several years ago. As they grew more excited about the idea, they brought in playwright and co-Artistic Director Josh Cragun.
“As you look across cultures, you see the incredibly similar themes in these stories, often in cultures separated by thousands of miles, thousands of years, and sometimes both,” said Frazier, “and we began to wonder about why these similarities exist, what they mean, and what they can tell us about who we are.”
The cast featuring Aleya Berry, Wasimah Farah, Kirby Hoberg, Starla Larson, Peytie McCandless, David Schneider, Kolie Shaw, Jon Stentz began table work last week, diving into a selection of myths and stories from around the world. They were joined by the design team, featuring set designer Erin Gustafson, lighting designer Alice Endo, properties designer Nina Gourley, costume designers Rubble&Ash (Andrea M Gross and Barb Portinga), and sound designer Dameun Strange at their first rehearsal.
“We’re really excited to get started,” said Gross, “this concept is a rich area to draw inspiration from that suits itself to compelling live theater.” The production will be developed using nimbus’ unique collaborative approach to creating new works of theater with a playwright, an ensemble, and a design team working together to build new stories and worlds to set them in.
The production opens May 18 at The Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis and will run through June 9th. A final title is expected early April, with tickets going on sale shortly thereafter. Follow us on social media to see updates about the concept as the show develops.