Southern Theater Announces 2010/11 Benefit

The Southern Theater has announced an adventurous lineup of new dance, music, theater and film for the 2010-2011 season to inaugurate its second century of service to the Twin Cities and Minnesota.

Adopting the season theme of "Standing Together," the Southern's entire staff has collaborated to create a year's worth of programming filled with world and regional premieres, commissions of new work and productions made specifically for the theater's unique space. The season's 40 offerings rival those of the most exciting performing arts seasons in the country.

Laurie Van Wieren has curated a dance season of 14 engagements featuring 27 choreographers, 14 world premieres, four regional premieres, four commissions and a new biannual series. The music season, curated by Kate Nordstrum, will include 19 engagements featuring more than 70 musicians, many world and regional premieres, two commissions, a new songwriter series and a strings festival. Jon Ferguson's season of 7 theater engagements will include original work, new adaptations and a mid-winter comedy festival. Film offerings include the Sound Unseen festival in October and the Dance Film Project in December.

With the collaborative guidance of Gary Peterson, the Southern's executive director, the curators-along with production staff led by Damon Runnals, audience services staff led by Alison Zimmerman, and fellowship director Mary Ellen Childs-strive to present the most poetic, authentic and technically excellent performances with clear emphasis on nurturing relationships with artists and audiences.

"The Southern seeks to delight, inspire and challenge its artists and patrons," said Peterson. We have a strong staff and board of directors, a bold artistic vision, a community of talented artists, and a dedicated audience for the arts that is second to none. I invite everyone, whether or not they are familiar with the Southern, to join us for the ride in 2010-2011."

Member subscription tickets will go on sale July 15. Single tickets will be available August 9. Tickets will be available online at www.southerntheater.org, by phone at 612.340.1725, and in-person at the box office.

The Southern Theater and its box office are located at 1420 Washington Avenue South, in the Seven Corners neighborhood of Minneapolis, adjacent to the University of Minnesota's West Bank campus. The 210-seat venue originally opened its doors in March 1910.

Photo: Kats D Fukasawa courtesy of Subbody Butoh School Himalaya

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