Austene Van joins History Theatre as Associate Artistic Director

History Theatre has named Austene Van as Associate Artistic Director, beginning in the 2011-2012 season. Ms. Van replaces Suzy Messerole who served in this role for the past two seasons. Both directors will work together closely during this transition, and Ms. Messerole will stay connected with History Theatre as an Artistic Associate while she pursues additional directing and teaching opportunities.

In her role as Associate Artistic Director, Ms. Van will produce RAW STAGES, the theater's new works series, assist with long-range planning for the main stage, and tend to the daily administrative and artistic needs of History Theatre. Ms. Van will also direct this season's holiday production, the regional premiere of Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas.

It is with great pleasure, excitement and honor that I accept the position as Associate Artistic Director with the award winning History Theatre. I deeply respect and appreciate the company's talent and passion for bringing to life our historical events and iconic figures in ways that touch and move us into thought and action. Since I was raised and mentored in a theater that creates art for social change, joining the History Theatre team feels like a perfect union. I am proud to become part of a theater that is committed to educating our community about the amazing accomplishments, missteps, vulnerabilities, joys, and revelations that we share as Minnesotans and as Americans." - Austene Van

Austene Van comes to History Theatre with a wealth of experience in the Twin Cities community as an actor, choreographer, and director. As a director, Ms. Van has presented works for Penumbra Theatre, Park Square Theatre, The Ordway and The Illusion Theater. She first worked for History Theatre back in 1997 as an actor in Roger Nieboer's Trial of the Wind, and most recently performed in the RAW STAGES festival this past January in readings of Cheers! and 1968: The Year That Rocked the World.

"It was a tremendous pleasure to work with Suzy Messerole over the past two seasons, and I am so delighted to now have Austene join our staff," said Artistic Director Ron Peluso. "She is bright, funny, inventive, and truly understands the important role that history plays in our lives. She really understands History Theatre and our mission and I look forward to introducing her to our many History Theatre patrons, artists, and supporters."

History Theatre's 2011-2012 Season:

October 8 - November 6, 2011
Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall
by William Randall Beard • Music arranged by David Lohman
1961 The incomparable Jody Briskey returns as Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall in her legendary 1961 Comeback Concert! Garland leads audiences through a whirlwind of memories starting with her childhood days in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and on to the studios at MGM, marriages and divorces, and finally to Carnegie Hall. Featuring "Get Happy," "I Can't Give you Anything but Love," "That's Entertainment," "The Trolley Song," and of course "Over the Rainbow," and more!

November 19 - December 18, 2011
A Civil War Christmas An American Musical Celebration
by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel • Music by Daryl Waters
1864 It is Christmastime in Washington, DC as the Civil War nears its end. This epic musical incorporates music of the era to give voIce To the many characters living and working in Washington, D.C. during the final days of the Civil War. Filled with intrigue and surprise, this Christmas musical reveals a world that is simultaneously torn apart by war and held together by the hope for redemption.

January 21 - February 19, 2012
1968: The Year That Rocked the World
by members of the Playwrights' Center: Reggie Edmunds, Matt Smart, Kim Hines, Kevin Kautzman, Rhiana Yazzi, Dominic Orlando, and Christina Ham • Music arranged by Gary Rue
1968 History Theatre and members of the Playwright's Center bring some of the most explosive events and personalities of 1968 to the stage: The War in Vietnam, the assassinations of DR. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy, the Mexico Olympics, Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert H. Humphrey, the election of Richard Nixon, and even the Apollo 8 mission broadcast on Christmas Eve. These events are surrounded by the unforgettable music of the era and pop culture that entertained and reflected on a world in chaos.
PRESENTED AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER alongside The 1968 Exhibit, an ambitious multimedia exhibit that will take visitors through the relentless year of culture-shifting, life-changing, memory-stamping events. On display October 14, 2011 through February 20, 2012.

March 3 - 25, 2012
Coco's Diary Adapted from the diary of Clotilde Irvine
by Ron Peluso and Bob Beverage • Music selection by Bob Beverage
1927 The trials and tribulations of a 13 year-old girl never seem to change: sibling rivalry, boys, school dances, boys, homework, and- boys! Young Clotilde "Coco" Irvine, is the daughter of a lumber baron living in a fashionable Summit Avenue mansion in 1927. Coco's Diary leads audiences on a winsome romp alongside our smart, adventurous, mischievous heroine surrounded by the beguiling music of the 1920s. It is a charming, funny and delightful entertainment for the entire family.

April 21 - May 20, 2012
Capital Crimes: The St. Paul Gangster Musical
by David Hawley • Music & lyrics by Drew Jansen
1932 Crime is running rampant in St. Paul! Our fair city is the crime capital of the U.S.A. where Public Enemies like Alvin "Creepy" Karpis and the Ma Barker Gang have free reign. But when J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI enter the picture the bad guys are put on the run. It's high stakes at the Hollyhocks with great songs by Drew Jansen, dance numbers featuring G-men and Tommy guns, and a dose of dark humor as we explore the crazy days of St. Paul's infamous past.

RAW STAGES: A Series of Works-in-Progress
• October 16, 2011 - Nellie by Kim Hines
• December 11, 2011 - Cheers! by Lily Baber Coyle
• March 11, 2012 - [TBD]
• May 6, 2012 - U.S. - Dakota War by Rob Thomas
All at 7:00 p.m.
During the 2011-2012 season, The RAW STAGES Series will consist of four readings performed on the History Theatre stage on four different Sunday evenings. Directors and performers will be announced and posted prior to each reading.