Today’s in everyone’s favorite bow-tie wearing scene partner’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Ruskins! – Heidi

Happy Birthday, Russ!

“Russ is a sweet, open spirit and makes a bow tie look like the perfect accessory for every occasion and every day. He is the actor I want to cast absolutely every time I’m directing, because he’s THAT GOOD.  He’s the kind of performer that makes it all look effortless – and maybe for him it is because I’m telling you, he’s oozing with talent. Did I mention I like him on stage? Because I do. A lot. Russ, you are the actor of my dreeeeams. Happy, happy birthday!” – Laura

“Russ has a warm heart in life and fearless heart on stage. He also rocks bow ties and neck beards with the best of them. Happy birthday, ya big nerd!” – Tanner

“Russ is a calm, positive, solid, creative force in SU.  He is absolutely brilliant onstage creating and portraying characters with amazing depth and life! He adores his wife and finds such joy in the small, beautiful, everyday comings and goings of the world!  I love that he and I share a great appreciation and excitement for comic books and graphic novels…  And he can turn just about anything into a fabulous stringed instrument!  Go! Go! Can-jo! Happy Birthday Russ!” – Christina

“Russ is like the best possible Midwesterner. He’s humble, multi-talented, sunny, super interesting, really nice, and can grow a mean neck-beard. Happy Birthday Russ!” – Candy

“Russ is full of surprises. Just when I think I’ve got him pegged: he zigs when I think he’s gonna zag. Also: he is handsome, kind, and generous, and he is a pleasure to direct and to watch on the stage. Wishing you so much joy, birthday boy.” – Blake

“Russ’ smile makes all the babies coo. And by babies, I obvz mean SU company members. And by coo, I obvz mean smile, too. He brightens up every room and reminds us all that it’s okay to be silly and ourselves. When he’s excited about something… you know it… and you can’t help but be excited, too!” – Hannah

“Russ really is the best – he epitomizes what it means to be an open and generous actor, setting himself and his scene and life partners up to be the best they can be. He’s got the chops – acting, mutton and otherwise – to take him as far as he wants to go, and we’re so happy he’s ours. Happy birthday Russ!” – Carl

“As a scene partner, Russ is an absolute dream. He’s aware, intuitive, and extremely giving. While he looks great in his quirky bow ties and sharp suspenders, it would be fun if he wore shortie-shorts like in the One-Minute Play festival. That was funny.” – Heidi

Anyone can tell from about a mile off that Mason is everyone’s very favorite sweetheart. To borrow from RuPaul, his “charm, uniqueness, nerve, and talent” make his an amazing friend and company member. – Heidi

Happy Birthday, Mason!

“The sweetest and most thoughtful member of SU. A deep reader of people and the best person to giggle with. Couldn’t hope for more! Love beams!” – Rachel

“Mason is so silly and wonderful. I wish I could spend more time around him! I love that he can be serious in a second but is naturally so cheerful. Happy Birthday, Mason!” – Candy

“‘Mason’ was the most popular boy’s name in Minnesota in 2011, and you should see that as an homage to your soul-singing, sweet-hearted, fabulously-dressed pioneer spirit. Also, your birthday is really close to mine, and that makes me happy. Happy happy birthday!” – Carl

“Puh-leez. Could you get a better package? Dreamy brown eyes, to-die-for style, super sweet personality, tons of talent, smarts, a honey-sweet singing voice, and witty with a naughty sense of humor? SIGN ME UP.” – Laura

“Mason could do whatever he wants. I mean, he’s got a huge pair of Mahonés swingin’ between those legs. (Watch yeh head!) We’re lucky enough that he channels his energy into making theatre, perpetuating memes, and wearing tight pants.” – Tanner

“Mason is smart and sassy!  He works and plays hard!  He is kind, compassionate, and a fabulous listener!  He is brilliant on stage and a creative problem solver!  (I love that he lives in Saint Paul and we get to carpool together for almost all SU meetings and activities!)  He loves all art and … if you ever can’t find him… check the Muddy Pig!  Watch ur head! ” – Christina

“Mason is fun, hilarious, creative, stylish, and more! I wish I could spend more SU face-to-face time with this person. Mason is lovely, and I’m excited to see more from this artist and friend!” – Amber

“I adore Mason. He’s the kind of upbeat person that makes you excited to work! I don’t care what kind of day I’m having. When I get to a meeting, or rehearsal and Mason is there, I know good times are going to be had!” – Russ

“Mason is the Mason-est person I know. There is no one quite like him. His unique blend of talent, charisma, kindness, and FIERCENESS is unrivaled. Lucky us, we get to see his smiling face almost EVERY SINGLE DAY. It’s like Christmas with cocktails on the beach… all the tiiiiiime!” – Hannah

“Mason is cute, sweet, thoughtful and talented as hell. His sass never fails to send me into a giggle fit AND he can rock an 80′s sweater like you wouldn’t beleive. However, the BEST thing about Mason is that you could call him up at any time with any problem and he would do anything in his power to help. It’s super humbling to be around such an amazing person.” – Heidi

The thing about Carl is that he’s so good at friggin’ EVERYTHING that it makes most of our heads spin and before we can even be a little jealous of him, he goes around being super nice and giving. Always tied up in a super-fly ensemble, it’s like today’s birthday boy is SU’s birthday gift, year-round! – Heidi

Happy Birthday, Carl!

“Carl is like the David Bowie character from Labyrinth- that sexy magical puppet master we all remember from childhood- complete with impeccable fashion and incredible eye contact. He has so many talents and does so many things so well. Like the Shamrock Shake, its kind of a mystery. I don’t know how he does it, but I sure hope he never stops. Happy birthday, Carl!” – Rachel

“Carl is so kind and generous of heart. He asks all the questions I never think of. He humbles and inspires me, and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to make theater with him through this crazy adventure called Savage Umbrella. Happy Birthday, Carl!” – Candy

“Carl is the wackiest combination of too, too cool and super nerdy that I’ve really enjoyed puzzling over during the past four years that I’ve known him. Just when I become overwhelmed by how handsome, how well-dressed, how well-spoken, how worldly, how intelligent, how thoughtful, how knowledgeable (about music, art, theatre, soccer, non-profit skillz, and the hip-kid scene in Minneapolis), how talented, how driven, and how kind he is, he goes and cracks the laaaaamest joke. And then I know he’s just my kind of wacky. Big love to you, cas.” – Laura

“I’m convinced that Carl stole Hermione’s time-turner, because he’s everywhere, knows everyone, and does everything. Either that, or he doesn’t sleep. Nonetheless, he pulls it all off while still looking stylish and dapper.” – Tanner

“One of the biggest ways you can tell if you have a good friend is if they Show Up. You know? Not just physically but also emotionally, like an awesome and constant high-five. Carl can’t help but support his colleagues, friends, collaborators, family, neighbors, strangers, in such an intensely human way. Carl Shows Up. It’s humbling and beautiful.” – Amber

“You know those personalities that bowl you over and draw you in all at once? That’ Carl. I still remember when I first got to really work with him was “Ex-Gays”. He was so fun and intense and playful! And the dude is smart, like, woah. Pretty much a number one pick for any creative team!” – Russ

“Carl has this generosity of spirit that you can feel flowing in, around, and through you when he looks you in the eye, and even more so when he gives you a warm, strong hug. I wish that I could have a hug from Carl every day for the rest of my life. He also must be in possession of a time turner, because no one gets more done in a day than Carl. (Don’t forget to eat your lunch, birthday boy!)” – Blake

“Carl is the busiest person I know, and he is always so put together…I think he might have clones, and I think that each and every one of them is doing their best to make the world a better place. Something I think we can all aspire to!” – Mason

“I love Carl’s sense of style and personal voice!  He comes to every table with an infinite number of life experiences, expertise, and creative ideas.  He opens his heart and home (literally) to all artistic endeavors and adventures with love and joy!  Carl strives to make this world a far better place to live, learn, and play… always!” – Christina

“Carl is… actually, I don’t think there is any way to succinctly explain how incredibly creative, kind, and generally awesome Carl really is. I suppose if I tried, it would be something like: WHOAAAAHHHEEeeeiiooooooooosshhhhhkaAA! … yep, I think that’s it. BIRTHDAY!” – Hannah

“Carl keeps us stuck together by pinch hitting for each of us when we need it. He offers help and support in this totally reckless way that’s terrifying, not because you think he’s going to let you down but because you know in your heart place that you can never be as recklessly giving as he is so you just have to accept it and hope you’re spreading enough good karma around to cover it. Also, Carl is my soccer buddy and even when I’m being crazy and dramatic he listens totally engaged and rarely rolls his eyes. Also, he’s pretty.” – Heidi

In preparation for Friday and Saturday’s workshop production of THE GOLDEN CARP, we asked the performers some questions about their thoughts on broken hearts and dangerous love. Do you have a haiku about dangerous love? Share it in the comments! /Blake

This weekend is your chance to add your voice to the discussion on love and magic, fish and fairies.  Join us!  Reserve your seat now. 

THE GOLDEN CARP Workshop Presentation
April 19 and 20 7:30 pm
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
3749 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407

1. Who was the first person to break your heart?

A blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy

Jake Gyllenhaal, when I found out he wasn’t gay

A girl broke up with me on my birthday when I was 22. She said it just seemed like I liked her more than she like me.

This kid in middle school.  We were both nerds, and we danced at the Valentine’s Day dance.  Then he got popular. Sad face.

I actually don’t think I’ve ever truly had my heart broken. Especially watching my parents heal after their recent divorce, I feel like nothing I’ve experienced compares. If we’re talking first time I had deep romantic feelings for someone that was unrequited – that would be my friend, Andy Hunt, in 9^th grade. He was dating my other friend. It was awkward.

2. Who was the first person whose heart you broke?

His name is Adam and I still feel bad about that one.

Too many to write about.

I once accidentally took a girl on a date.  It was a misunderstanding, it ended badly.

When I was 16, I broke up with a guy on his birthday.  BUT I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS!! Cause he was silent and awkward and never spoke! Which is why I wanted to break up. Anyway, a couple weeks later, people told me he did a song about me dying at his band’s show.  Yikes.

Uhhhhh …  no one? Probably? I’ve had some friends who’ve been interested in me and I didn’t feel the same way, but I don’t think it was that intense.

Middle school girlfriends, perhaps, but hopefully they get it now?

3. Write a haiku about dangerous love:

Watch out for that boy
He’ll break your heart I swear it
Love me instead please

You know it’s not good
But you cannot stop yourself
You learn from mistakes

Good girl gone bad – oops
Rhianna, please be careful
You are so pretty

I will break your heart
And mess around with your head.
Just because I can

4. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done for love?

I flew to another continent all by my lonesome.  But once I got there, it wasn’t scary at all!

I’m on OkCupid

I drove to Rhode Island.  It wasn’t that scary, except when I slept in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in Wisconsin.

I don’t know! I’m lame.

Told the person I was in love with how I feel.

5. Tell us about a time that you (or someone you know) lost themselves completely in their love:

My dog and a bag of chocolate

People too lost in love are annoying.

I feel like I’ve know lots of people who’ve been lost in love.  The most difficult experience I’ve had as a friend is watching someone be in a verbally abusive relationship and not be able to convince her to stop/leave him. All I could do was console her and hope one day she’d stop loving him.  She did! *whew*

I don’t really know who my dad is anymore, since the divorce. He’s dating someone younger, and I think he’s going through a mid-life crisis.

6. What are the symptoms of dangerous love?

Never sleeping – always lying

A high fever, chills, sweaty pits, and voice cracks

I think the entire Twilight series about dangerous love.

Racing heart
Leather-wearing
Shortness of breath
Crazy fantasies
Delusions of grandeur
Excessive smoking, drinking
Crazy piercings
Not taking care of yourself

Co-dependency, letting your significant other make decisions for you, blocking your loved ones from your life … being reckless, impulsive …

You have to lie about it to other people you love.

7. Of unrequited love?

Every moment gives you one step forward in hope and three steps back in sadness. 

Everyone who was dorky in middle school/high school knows all about unrequited love.

Crying
Big sweaters
Bad television
Long, awkward emails
Headaches
Excessive comfort food eating
Not showering enough

Spending time with your loved one, even though you know they’re not interested. Dwelling on that person, imagining being with that person.

8. Who do you still pine for, just a little (or a lot)?

BEYONCE

Jake Gyllenhaal … And that one guy from that show I did

My wife

Paul McCartney .,, I just … I can’t move on from the fact that in another life, we were soulmates. And it was beautiful.

An old friend who was one of those almost-boyfriends/friend-I-made-out-with-a-few-times.  I’ll probably always feel something for him, but I’m over wanting a relationship with him. He was a really good kisser, too. Damn him.

Tanner Curl, 4EVER AND ALWAYZ

Here in Minneapolis, we are working away to expand and explore the story of THE GOLDEN CARP with our presentation coming up next week. In another season in the not-so-distant future, this story will find it’s full life as a chamber opera, so I talked with creator and project leader Candy Bilyk out in California. We talked about opera, what it means to her, and how it will allow this story to be expressed. /Blake

We know she’s singin’, but it ain’t over!

(Please note: the upcoming workshop of THE GOLDEN CARP will be acted, but not sung. Join us now for the story; stay tuned for the future full opera!)

THE GOLDEN CARP Workshop Presentation
April 19 and 20 7:30 pm
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
3749 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Make reservations here!

Blake Bolan: Can you give us a beginner’s definition of opera, and how it connects to other forms of music-theater?
Candy Bilyk: I don’t want to get myself in hot water here, but the “big” forms of music-theater in the Western tradition are the opera, musical, and ballet. The most important thing is that music-theater is a spectrum, not a neat set of drawers or folders with zero overlap. And no matter how you define each form, even the big “established” ones, there will be people out there to argue that you’re wrong.

CB: When I was in high school, my orchestra took a field trip to see a final dress rehearsal of Turandot, performed by the Minnesota Opera. It sounds corny, but I just fell in love. Some people are really into movies with visual overload, like Moulin Rouge. Opera is like the aural equivalent of that to me. When I sat in that audience I felt like I was surrounded and inundated by sound; it wrapped around me and I was inside the music. That is what I love most about opera. Since then I’ve also played in opera pits many times, and it is my favorite thing by far to play.

The pyrotechnical spectacle of Puccini’s La Bohème at Opera Philadelphia.
Can WE have fire, TOO?!

BB: How does working on an opera differ from your other experiences in music-theater?

CB: Well, really the biggest difference for me is that I’m the driving force on this project. In all the other music-theater pieces I’ve done, the idea was generated by someone else and the music was designed to serve the story and a particular purpose that was markedly subservient to everything else going on and could have been written by other people. But things like the rehearsal process are all really similar, it’s just that opera is all music and musicals usually have less music and more speaking and blocking. The only real difference I’ve experienced as a violist is that in musicals we have less music to play, and the viola parts are frequently pretty boring and easy. I’ve never played ballet music outside of the concert hall or written for ballet, so I can’t speak to that experience.

The carp (Evan Boyce) sings his own praises at Savage Umbrella’s Night of New Works last summer.

BB: How do you think the form helps to tell the story of THE GOLDEN CARP?

CB: That’s a good question. I’ve heard opinions from other people about this, like opera is somehow the most unrealistic art form and therefore a fantastical world is more accepted in it. I disagree with that, but maybe there’s something to it in the collective consciousness. I just really wanted to make it an opera. I partially wrote a short story several years ago about a fairy and a fish (which barely resembles the story today), and the more I revised and added to it, the more crazy duets and arias started popping into my mind. But I think any story can work in multiple forms, this is just the way I’m excited about telling it. It could be a really cool stage play if told differently.

In less than a month, we will share the culmination of brainstorms, ruminations, schemes, and improvisations around the characters and story of THE GOLDEN CARP. This project began it’s public life with a presentation of three songs in last year’s NIGHT OF NEW WORKS, and we dream of its eventual life as a glorious, puppet-filled chamber opera. Here, now, in the present, we have begun the delicious task of workshopping the basic storyline with performers, writers, and a director all in a room together. We will write and improv, together and separately, and we will turn over every stone – sometimes more than once – and try everything. 

Goal: Try all the things.

IN THE ROOM

Performing
Kelsey Cramer
Emily Dussault
Bryan Grosso
Megan Hadley
Mason Mahoney
Jake Scott

Writing
Laura Leffler-McCabe
Tanner Curl

Directing
Hannah Holman

THE FIRST EXPERIMENTS

Act 1, Scene 2: The Embarrassment
Fay counsels Olivia on her failed beguiling spell.

“You have to think it’s going to work, you have to feel it.”

“What if it does work? Have you ever seen a fish mouth?”

Act 1, Scene 3: How to Beguile
Toad shares his wisdom with the fairies.

“The wind is the tight sailor’s knot of the field and flowers.”

“It’s not what you eat, it’s how you eat it.”

“I’m just a toad. A fish is a harder sell.”

FRESH EXCITEMENT

Hannah: I’m excited to see how the humor and relationships help to tell such a dark story:
the story of a fish trying to devour a fairy.

Tanner: I’ve not ever written in a totally fantastical realm. I’m excited to explore the different options it gives, the range of storytelling.

Laura: I’m excited to work with the performers. Three are old hands, and three are people who are new (or fairly new) to Savage Umbrella. It’s dynamic and exciting!

THE GOLDEN CARP Workshop Presentation

April 19 and 20 7:30 pm
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
3749 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Make reservations here.

An incredible group of talented performers joined us for auditions earlier this month for Rain Follows the Plow, and we are honored. Final casting decisions have been made, and we are set to begin rehearsals when the flowers are in bloom. For now, we dream of rivers and dams, dust and drought.

Rain Follows the Plow
by Rachel Nelson
directed by Laura Leffler-McCabe

A huge pile of sandy grit is heaped in the center of the space. There is a geography under the sand–unexplained ridges and odd angles, as if a house is buried there, or the emerging spine of a giant animal. A small staircase extends up to a small platform that overlooks the space, creating an outlook, a refuge. Weird things poke out of the grit; a briefcase, various bits of trash and old clothes, a potted cactus, a music box, various unidentified shapes and colors and textures. It is 1934. It is the present day. It is a dreamscape.  

THE CATALYST
an apparition, a memory, a fantasy, a hope
(Mason Mahoney)

INGRID
a wife on the edge of something
(Blake E. Bolan)

CLARENCE
a husband blinded by privilege
(Michael Ooms)

CLARA
a young woman, grappling/reeling
(Emily Dussault)

JACK
a young man searching for meaning
(Neal Beckman)

BEN
a closeted big business type from DC
(Bryan Grosso)

You are all aware of what an wham-bam awesome director Blake Bolan is; well we love her for that reason and SO MANY MORE!

Happy Birthday, Blake!

“Blake doesn’t do dumb/shitty things. Rather, she takes responsibility and constantly apologizes for all the dumb/shitty things the rest of us do. This would be maddening if she wasn’t so damned sincere. Blake is genuinely the most wonderful human being on the planet.” – Tanner

“Blake Elizabeth and I have been friends for over a decade, surviving university, road trips, international border questioning, being roommates, not being roomates, flying shoes, too much booze, and of course, founding a theatre company together.  The first time I really thought about Blake was when our favorite professor advised me, don’t make the traditional casting choice – cast Blake. She’s smart, and you’ll be better off. I was and I am. I love you, beab.” – Laura

“Blake is intelligent, stylish, sexy, organized, and creative. She also has a great laugh. So she is basically everything that Everyone Wants to Be. And remember The Ravagers? Yeah, she directed it. It was badass.” - Amber

“Blake, if there were a bridge on fire, crocodile-infested waters below us and a koi fish in a bowl on the other side which we had to rescue for purposes unknown; I would trust you to lead the way. Some sort of human chain? Do we have stilts? Maybe a firehose or frozen jet of water we can skate across? I don’t know, we’ll work out these details later. Happy birthday, lady.” – Carl

“Almost everything that Blake says is thoughtful and intelligent and at least a few steps ahead of where my brain is at. Girl be sharp! I also love her vast collection of skirts and support her anti pants approach to her personal style.” - Mason

“Blake is like the sunshine that pours in the window at work around 4 o’clock on a Friday; she makes you feel like you are important, invincible, and loved. She has the warmest spirit, great intuition, and the smartest (but still silly!) sense of play. AND she’ll melt your heart by simply walking really, really, really slowly…” – Hannah

“Blake is an amazing artist and fabulous writer!  Sweet and sometimes sassy, honest and humble.  I love her hair, her passion, and her drive to make the world a lovelier place.  She IS what Maya Angelo sings… ‘A woman of substance!’” – Christina

“블레이크 교사를 정말 좋아해요! Blake is tough and confident on the outside but such a sweetheart on the inside. It’s a lovely combination that makes a person feel empowered instead of intimidated around her. I’m so glad that Savage Umbrella brought us together! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” – Candy

“Blake has this intense drive to see the very best in everyone. It makes her a gifted director, a kind soul and an irreplaceble friend. You just want to be better and better until you’re the person she sees. It’s amazing.” – Heidi

“HEY. Did you know we’re doing a show?? Did you know it’s an adpatation of Emma?? OMG we’re on Art Hounds TODAY!! OMG I’m too tired to do the laundry. OMG please make me dinner at 11pm when I get home from rehearsal. OMG was I so good? Did you love it? Are you coming again? ” OMG TELL ME YOU LOVE ME.” If takes a village to make a Savage Umbrella show; it takes an even more impressive collection of folks standing behind us pushing, helping us, and loving us in order to make it all happen. Today we dedicate this space to some of those very special people. – Heidi 

Danny and Amber

Meet Danny, husband of Amber Davis

How did you cuties meet? Well, we actually met through Savage Umbrella, during The Awakening.  Technically, it was the second time we met each other through Savage Umbrella, as Amber attended a performance of A Christmas Carol: Finale years before, and we were introduced there. The Awakening was in 2010, almost three years ago.  We’ve been married for 5 months now. 
Favorite SU Show? I really enjoyed Ex-Gays, although I had no part in it. I think I saw it presented four times in various stages of its life as a work of art, so I really felt like I was part of the journey, even though I didn’t do any work.  More recently, I was really surprised and inspired by the staged reading of Rapture that I attended, and am disappointed that I probably won’t see the final product. Basically, Savage Umbrella just keeps on getting better. 
How do you feel when we snatch your sweetie for rehearsal/meeting? I’m busy as well, so it isn’t terribly shocking or disruptive when Amber is working on a project.  The biggest downside for me is that we don’t sit down to dinner together as often.

Mike and Laura

Meet Mike Leffler-McCabe, spouse of Laura Leffler-McCabe (and Dad to baby Izzy, we love her)

Have you guys been together since the dawn of time? Together for 16 years, 10 years married.
Favorite SU project? The Ravagers was my favorite.
Have you ever gotten roped into helping SU? OMG tell us the story. I have often gotten roped into small things -reading scripts, running lines, finding varous props. The biggest project was cleaning up the Hollywood theater for Ravagers. I was at one point assigned to clean the water fountains and told to be OCD about it. It involved a trip home and a trip to the hardware store for my Dremel tool and polishing attatchments. In the end, the fountains were sparkling (and still nonfunctional). It was nice to see the end result.
How do you feel about us needing Captain Laura SO MUCH? I hate having her be away so much, but SU really is a driving force for her. She gains so much from it that it is worth the time away. Plus its nice to have something so far removed from what I do for us to talk about.

Hannah and Mason

Meet Mason Mahoney, bestie of Hannah Holman

How long have you kids been besties?  We actually met during a Savage Umbrella show! THE RAVAGERS. It was love at first stab. 
Have you ever gotten roped into helping Hannah with SU stuff?  Are you KIDDING?! Hannah asks me to help out, like, ALL the time.  At first it was fun. But it just NEVER stopped, so I was like, “Why are you making me DO all this?” and Hannah was like, “You’re a company member now, remember”? And now it’s fun again. 
What do you love about being with Hannah at SU functions?  I absolutely LOVE when Hannah is off doing SU things, because that usually means I’m off doing those same things, and we get to play footsie ‘neath the table during meetings.  Although, one time I thought I was playing footsie with Hannah and it turned out to be Tanner (he has small feet), and he didn’t tell me until the meeting was over. Sorry Emily.

Russell and Christina

Meet Russell Forga, fiance of Christina Lein (and SU’s newest Board Member!) 

When, where, what how? We met through a mutual friend, and we’ve been together for a couple of years.
SU fave? My favorite show was Night of New Works and STOP!
Have you ever gotten roped into helping SU? Did you love or hate it we totally wont judge you (out loud). Ha Ha!  I just joined SU’s board of advisors!  And I’ve volunteered for the fundraiser.  And I love it!
How do you feel about Christina being with us instead of being with you, sometimes? Well, I’m always having to wait for my “sugar”… cause she’s away doing her art… (obligatory ed. note: ewwww Russell, this is a public blog…Heidi’s actual feelings; OMG ADORB.)

Stacy and Carl

Meet Stacy Schwartz, fiancee of Carl Atiya Swanson

How did you meet and how long have you been together? At “HowWasTheShow Has the Spins” at the Nomad – 5ish years
 Do you have a favorite SU project? Ravagers (ed. note: Is that because Carl was shirtless in the production photos?)
Do you ever have to help us with all of the things? Don’t I always?! UGH. *love you guys*
Good and bad parts of Carl being under the umbrella…mostly all of the time? Good = More time to eat raw cookie dough before he comes home. Bad = Sometimes I fall asleep before he gets home, and that sort of stinks.

Amber and Russ

Meet Amber, wife of Russ Dugger

How did you meet/how long have you been together? It’s a funny and endearing story, but it’s also long. I’ll try to summarize: Girl likes boy. Boy likes girl. Boy punches girl in the face. Girl bakes him cupcakes.That summary isn’t nearly as endearing. Just know that five years later, we’re enjoying wedded bliss. (ed. note: I married these people and I’ve never heard this story so…get talking you two!)
Favorite SU project? The collaborative writing workshop for Rapture. I’m looking forward to seeing a full production of the finished piece one day!
Russ works with us a lot, what can we do to make it easier? It gets cold, lonely, and boring when Russ is with SU, which is why all of you should help me convince him to get us a cat (or two) to keep me company.

Emily and Tanner

Meet Emily Dussault, wife of Tanner J Curl, esq. (That’s how he signed his emails in college! For reals.) (ed note: that’s not suprising)

Relationship deets? We met at Coe College in 2003. We both worked at the Writing Center and were involved with the Theatre Dept. We became actual friends in 2004 when he played my father in a musical (what? ew!). We started dating after a long and arduous email courtship whilst he was studying abroad in 2005. Then we got hitched in October, 2010!
Do you have a favorite SU project? I would probably have to say Ravagers. It was intense and exciting and beautiful, and involved some of my favorite people. And myself.
Do we ever make you do annoying things? I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever been expected to act in their shows. Which is awesome and I love. I think one time I tried to help clean up after a fundraiser, but ended up just walking around carrying a half-eaten bowl of chips for a half hour.
For realz. How do you feel about SU being Tanner’s “other woman”? Oh I almost always love it. Because I know that SU gives him a great creative outlet, a safe space to take risks with a crew of amazing artists, and some wonderful friends who love him almost as much as I do. Very occasionally, he will be at a meeting or something, and there will be a spider, or I will really want cheese but not want to leave the house, or the cat will puke, and I will wish he was not at that meeting. But then I will remember that I should just grow up, and that I am glad my husband is doing awesome things with awesome people.

Joe and Heidi

 Meet Joe Halvarson, betrothed to Heidi Jedlicka

Tell the masses, how’d ya meet? We met almost five years ago when Heidi moved into a place my friends were renting. I was supposed to move in, but she took my spot because I couldn’t move in until September 1 and she was able to move in August 1. There is still a lot of tension and animosity between us because of “The Stolen Move”.
SU shows, Go! My favorite project was The Ravagers. It was an outstanding unification of sound, stage, script, and acting. The whole shebang.
How often does SU make you werk? I have been roped in more times than I can count. I had to wear a cummerbund and serve people food and drink at opening night of Emma, even though I was supposed to see the show. I suppose it was love because I have always wanted to be a server; a snooty, uptight server. Dream fulfilled. Thanks SU!
Do you  miss Heidi when she’s out and about with SU? I love that I have a lot of time to write, procrastinate, improv, and play games while Heidi is at shenanigans (Rehearsals? Meetings? Hah! It’s all shenanigans). I hate it sometimes because sometimes I don’t want to write and just want Heidi around to admire me and say nice things to me as I procrastinate.

Look. We cancelled our show tonight but it’s still Hannah Holman’s Birthday and we still love her so tweet her some birthday love at @hkholman and join us Friday 2/15 after the show to celebrate her in MAJOR style.

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

“Hannah is wise beyond her years, she gets shit done (and does shit well {like, all the shit}), and she is always a true joy to be around.” – Mason

“Hannah Holman: this is a lady with some tricks up her sleeve. Not only does she have cool tattoos and an alliterative name, but Hannah is capable of all kind of creative stretches that surprise and delight. I hope she’s drunk on sugar when she reads this.” – Rachel Nelson

“Hannah feels like my long lost twin sister! She is amazingly talented and really damn good at all she does! She rocks both the administrative and performance aspects of making art! Not to mention her kicking visual art skills! I love her infectious outbursts of laughter and her acute attention to detail. I remember when she came to SU during ExGays as an intern… and she didn’t run away screaming, but decided to drink the cool-aide and become one of us! And I love, love, LOVE all her tattoos!” – Christine

“Hannah is the type of person who will stay up all night long analyzing data on a spreadsheet. She also wears a different Christmas sweater every single day in December. In short, she’s a delight.” – Tanner

“Hannah is hard working and courageous with a fist full of spice. Always a go-getter. If I were in a super-hero team, you’d obviously want Hannah on your side. Possible things she could do if she were a super hero: Be brave, quick, sharp, give villains a blast of energy, read minds and would probably look bad-ass on a motorcycle. Actually, she can do these things in real life. Is Hannah just her secret identity? ” – Amber

“If it were possible to connect Hannah to America’s power-grid we would be set for life. And when she focuses that energy into creating there’s no stopping her. That girl has so much get-up-n-go it can be a chore to keep up! But it’s always worth it to try.” – Russ

“Hannah is beautiful and brave. She’s far more sophisticated and poised than anyone her age should rightly be, and damn if she doesn’t have a good head on her shoulders. Plus, super good handwriting and drawing skillzzzz!” – Laura

“Hannah is a pure spark of smarts and artistry. She does everything with such confidence, openness, and happiness that it’s impossible not to be infected with her spirit I only wish I could see her more.” – Candy

“Hannah has a beautiful, truly unique energy, in real life and on stage. She is slightly mysterious, which I love. And she works SO HARD ALL THE TIME. I’m lucky to know you, HKH.” – Blake

“Hannah gives old folks hope for the future and young bucks something to work for, whether or not she knows it.” – Carl

“Hannah is the type of woman you want to know, you want to be like, AND you want your daughters to be like. She tears shit up and gets shit down with style that we would all be so lucky to have 1/2 of.” – Heidi