nimbus presents The great armistice day blizzard
nimbus premieres its latest original work at the Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.
Written and directed by Liz Neerland.
Opening December 5th and performing through December 21nd, 2025.
85 years ago, a massive blizzard hit Minnesota. Known as the Armistice Day Blizzard, it became the deadliest storm in state history and even changed the way that weather is reported. But for many Minnesotans, the effects were personal. nimbus theatre’s latest original production based on those stories, The Great Armistice Day Blizzard, is coming to The Crane Theater this December.
Director and playwright Liz Neerland explained the origins of the show: “Both of my parents were born in 1940. My dad always told stories about how his mother ran out of milk during the storm, and his older brother had to struggle through the snow to a neighbor’s house to get food for the baby. That image stuck with me, and I’ve always wanted to tell the story of this storm that impacted Minnesota so deeply.”
The intimate ensemble includes four nimbus veterans, who spent a month immersing themselves in historical research about the storm as they developed their characters and storylines we would see on stage.
The show focuses on two major groups who were impacted by the blizzard: the residents of Minneapolis, and the countless duck hunters who went out to enjoy a holiday with no idea what was headed their way. Often also called the Duck Hunter’s Blizzard, dozens of deaths in the state were because inaccurate weather forecasting gave people no sense of what was headed their way. Men headed out on the water with their dogs and guns, in light coats and jackets, with no idea that the unseasonably warm weather was about to change into a raging tempest that would trap them with little warning.
“At least 49 people were killed just in Minnesota during this storm,” said Neerland. “It is a tragic story about nature’s wrath and the limits of human knowledge, but it’s also a story of hope. Countless people helped their neighbors and banded together to help each other survive. We want to portray all aspects of this story - the triumph and the tragedy.”
Opening December 5 at The Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis, this show explores an important part of Minnesota history, honoring the survivors and those who were lost.
Written and Directed by Liz Neerland
Featuring Cate Jackson, Song Kim, Starla Larson, and Quintin Michael
Design by Forest Godfrey, Jon Kirchhofer, Jenny Moeller, Rubble&Ash, and Sadie Ward
Stage Managed by Alyssa Thompson
THE GREAT ARMISTICE DAY BLIZZARD
Playing December 5 - 21, 2025
Friday, Dec 5 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec 6 7:30pm
Monday, Dec 8 7:30pm
Friday, Dec 12 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec 13 7:30pm
Sunday, Dec 14 3:00pm
Monday, Dec 15 7:30pm
Thursday, Dec 18 7:30pm
Friday, Dec 19 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec 20 7:30pm
Sunday, Dec 21 3:00pm
Performances at the Crane Theater
2303 Kennedy Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Tickets $5 - $50 sliding scale
Tickets: nimbustheatre.com
For more information:
Josh Cragun josh@nimbustheatre.com
or Liz Neerland liz@nimbustheatre.com
nimbus has been creating dynamic original theater in the Twin Cities since 2001. Our unique process for the creation of playwright-led collaborative work combined with their passion for creating bold, eclectic theater has been dazzling audiences for 20 years. Founded and led by playwrights and run by the artists themselves, we are dedicated to creating theatre that crosses boundaries, promotes imagination, and ignites new conversations.
