Laura Leffler-McCabe, Artistic Director
Laura is a founding partner of SU and a freelance director and theatre-maker. Previous work in the Twin Cities includes assistant directing for Theatre de la Jeune Lune (Fishtank) and Frank Theatre (By the Bog of Cats…), costuming for Theatre Latte Da and 20% Theatre Company, and performing with the Bedlam Theatre and others. Works for Savage Umbrella include co-writing and performing in America:aciremA, directing and co-writing the book for A Christmas Carol Finale, co-writing and directing Love Me or Die!, and writing and directing The Awakening. She did her undergraduate at Baker University and earned an M.A. in theatre (emphasis in directing) from the University of Kansas. More than anything, she likes camping, roller skating, new work creation and reinterpreting classics for the contemporary stage. Upcoming projects with Savage Umbrella include co-writing and directing Leaves with some music by Ben, performing in EX-GAYS with Eric, and developing an as-of-yet Untitled Project with Blake for Fall 2011.
Eric F. Avery
Eric is a founding partner of SU and a freelance theatre artist specializing in the creation of new works & community development. He trained at the University of Kansas and earned a BGS in theatre. He is currently the AmeriCorps Theatre Coordinator at the VSA North 4th Art Center in Albuquerque, NM. Recent projects include: EX-GAYS (workshop), The Freddy Mercury Project, and Your Place, Or Mine. Up next Eric is relocating to Baltimore to pursue an MFA in theatre at Towson University. Upcoming projects with Savage Umbrella include developing, writing and performing in EX-GAYS with Laura, and writing and performing in the one-man show The Winter Adventure of Happy, (the SAD Clown) with music by Ben.
Blake E. Bolan
Blake is a founding partner of SU. She earned a B.G.S. degree from the University of Kansas. She acted and directed for an experimental theatre workshop for 11 years in Manhattan, KS. She completed an internship with the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre in New York City and in the Twin Cities she has worked with Theatre de la Jeune Lune and Skewed Visions. She acted and directed in the 2008 Bedlam 10-Minute Play Festival, and wrote and directed a piece for the Minneapolis Pinter Studies. She’s taking a sabbatical in South Korea, but she’ll be missing you. Upcoming projects with Savage Umbrella include developing an as-of-yet Untitled Project with Laura for Fall 2011.
Ben Mattson
Ben is a founding partner of SU. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a B.A. in Theare Arts and a concentration in music theory/composition. He has worked with CLIMB theatre, National Theatre for Children, The Minnesota Shakespeare Project, and he has taught music and acting workshops through Youth Performance Company. Ben has also composed music for a number of productions, including America:aciremA, Fatal, A Christmas Carol Finale, and most recently, Love Me or Die! Upcoming projects with Savage Umbrella include writing some music for Leaves and writing all the music for Happy, the SAD Clown.
Sarah Teich
Sarah is a graduate of Augsburg College and has spent time doing the theatre thing in Los Angeles and Minneapolis. Recent Minneapolis credits include performing in A View From the Bridge (Guthrie Theatre), and Hamlet (3AM Productions), as well as directing Bird’s Eye View (Theatre Limina), which was a winner in their 2008 Summer Shorts Festival. With Savage Umbrella, she was Sarah/Ellie in A Christmas Carol Finale (2008), Coralie in Love Me or Die!, and Edna in The Awakening. She currently works at The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. Upcoming projects with Savage Umbrella include organizational consultation, while taking an artistic sabbatical.