Brave New Workshop Student Union Names Scholarship in Honor of 10 Year Volunteer on 'Give to the Max Day'

The Brave New Workshop's (BNW) school for improvisation, the BNW Student Union, honoring the tenth anniversary of BNW volunteer Peggy McCalla by creating a scholarship in her honor to support people and programs that use improvisation to do good in the community.

Peggy McCalla began her tenure at the Brave New Workshop in 1995 and in her 10 years has volunteered more than 2,000 hours and personally seen to the donation of over 3,600 tickets to non-profits, schools, hospitals, and other charitable organizations in the Twin Cities.

"To me, the scholarship means people will learn improv techniques that will benefit them personally, then share these methods for others' growth and enjoyment. 'Yes, and' has broader applications than improv. It is a great life lesson!" Peggy states.

While Peggy oversees ticket donations now, she has played a key role in the theatre her time here, playing the role of "Stage Mom" to ushers, box office staff, and performers, and even scrubbing toilets at the theatre's former location in Uptown. "Peggy is loved deeply by everyone who has worked here at the BNW in the past 10 years, as well as so many of our regular patrons," says Brave New Workshop co-owner and executive director of the Student Union, Jenni Lilledahl. "Not only has Peggy walked-the-walk by giving of her time so generously, but she is always bringing forth ideas about how we can do more in the community. Peggy cares about using Improv for Good and so do we. Peggy's Fund will be used to support people and programs that use improv in the role of service, whether it be teaching underserved populations, or furthering the reaches of improv to improve people's lives."

When asked about her favorite memory from the past 10 years, Peggy shows no hesitation. "I've loved all of the shows and being around everyone, but I had my 60th birthday party in the BNW ETC, and some of the past cast entertained, and it was fabulous."

For their part, the BNW Student Union has a list of teachers, projects, and partnerships that are waiting for support from this scholarship. You can give to Peggy's Fund on the Give to the Max site at: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Brave-New-Institute.

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About The Brave New Workshop

Now in our 55th year of crafting audacious, hilarious, and thought-provoking original comedy, improv and satire in Minneapolis, the Brave New Workshop (BNW) Comedy Theatre is a Twin Cities comedy institution, and a truly unique place to laugh, learn, think, and play. The BNW has been writing, performing and producing original sketch comedy, music and comedy improvisation longer than any other theatre in the United States.

Featuring a comedy and improv theater, a theater space that hosts stand up comedy (like the Experimental Thinking showcase), podcasts, special shows and more, The Brave New Workshop also works with corporations to offer MC services, video services, keynote speeches, and also houses one of the planet's leading institutions for the study of improvisation, the BNW Student Union. The BNW SU serves more than 300 people weekly and over 2,000 annually, inspiring everyday people to discover and harness their most innovative and brave selves through improvisation.

For more information, please visit http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/.

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