[Mpls] Seward play/crows

[JeanJstad]

Unfortunately, I read recent posts too quickly and don't recall the name of the person who commented on "an NRP-funded" play in Seward that "was about crows". Those bits and pieces of information don't reflect the situation very completely. For several years, Seward has funded a theater project. Under the direction of playwright, Ben Kreilkamp, the neighborhood has enjoyed many theatrer/arts experiences.He has offered classes in acting and writing. The last two King's Fairs have been organized around the arts, with workshops, parades, puppetshows, performances, and many opportunities for families to have fun.There have been poetry readings on porches, dance performances on Milwaukee Avenue Mall , and many other activities every year during Garage Sale weekend in May. There is an annual celebration to commemorate the city's oldest tree, and the Theater Project has been a part of Celebrate Seward on Franklin. Ben, and other artists, puppeteers and writers he's hired have worked in neighborhood schools. Puppet shows have entertained residents at the Towers every month for the last couple of years. There is a new program beginning for interested youth. It is called SKIT (Seward Kids In Theater). AND.....
Ben has written two original plays based on oral history interviews of local residents and based on neighborhood history. The most recent was called Along the River. It featured an intergenerational cast of neighborhood residents. There was a scene that featured crows, and a crow serves as a "logo" and identifier for the theater project; however the play was about a lot more than crows.  As you can see, the neighborhood's interest in the arts IS something "to crow" about!
Jean Johnstad
Seward