Past Production: “Choices”

 Written and Directed by Shelley Smith

ChoicesPoster_e-MailMay 16th and 17th, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bloomington,  and June 13th-15th 2014, Old Arizona Theatre, the world premiere of “Choices” was performed, written and directed by Shelley Smith, and created in collaboration with Danielle Krivinchuk and the ensemble.

Brother and sister duo, Caiden and Chloe, stray from their village of Inside Out into the crazy, fantastical world of Outside In. In order to return home, they must battle their inner fears, negative thoughts, peer pressure, societal messages and naysayers, as well as help others along the way and confront family members. In so doing, they embark on a journey of discovering their true selves.

Cast: David Durkee, Gizelle Erickson, Rose Johnson, Danielle Krivinchuk, Joann Oudekerk, Siddeeqah Shabazz, Katharine Strom, Ben Weiman, Troy Williams, Nick Wolf and Kristen Ziegler

Designers: Samantha Kuhn Staneart (costumes), Beth Janetski (set), Jack Neveaux (lighting), Warren Sampson (sound) and Linda Hayen (props). Stage Manager: Lizabe Mothershead

Following is a sampling of the feedback we received from audience members:

“Amazing cast! Stirring, thought provoking play. Thank you everyone!”

“The play just blew my mind and I want to use this quote from Oliver Wendall Holmes: “A mind, once expanded by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions”

“If you enjoy physicality, fantasy and social issues that make you think, this show’s for you.”

“I think you have written something that every single person in the world can find at least one thing in the play that they can relate to. That in itself is a rare feat. In my case I could relate to almost every single issue you touched.”

“You will never really know how many people’s lives you have touched, but I am guessing there will be many.”

“I loved the use of the ensemble as trees and rivers and mountains, etc., and how they were used to introduce personal reflection on issues and the peer pressure exerted on the characters. While a lot of the issues were subtle they were still easily identifiable and understood.”

“This play hits on a lot of issues we tend to sweep under the carpet. It may take you a couple days to digest all the content. Well written and produced. Provocative.”

“I saw the World Premiere a couple of weeks ago and “I was just awed by the simple complexity of the work. It deals with so many social issues that have touched my life over the years and it challenged me to think for several days afterwards. The casting was superb and the players were phenomenal and the use of actors as objects was really well done!”

Watch the video below to hear Artistic Director, Shelley Smith, talk about “Choices:”

Check out this news article, by clicking on the link below, to find out more about “Choices:”

http://www.swnewsmedia.com/eden_prairie_news/news/entertainment/article_7d33c398-e418-52a5-8c8d-6a1b94c8eb97.html

019

236-1192429130204-1

Check out our Pinterest page and the board specifically designed for the themes in “Choices”

“This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”
Clean Water Land & Legacy AmendmentMetropolitan Regional Arts Council