Naïve. Super

“Naive. Super is very modern in the way it combines various forms of media to tell a story, but timeless in its exploration of the world and our place in it. If you’re looking for forward-thinking experimental theater that’s still very accessible and relatable, don’t miss this one.” – Jill Schafer, Cherry and Spoon

Kurt Engh remounts his original stage adaptation of Erlend Loe’s 1995 cult novel, reimagining the 25-year-old Norwegian narrator as a universal every-person.

After an existential crisis at a birthday party, the narrator slows their life to a halt. With only the objects, people and tasks that bring meaning to their life, the narrator pieces their life back together.

Staged using environmental sound, video, an overhead projector and a fax machine, the performer will uncover the play in real time as the audience watches on.

TICKETS
Tickets are offered at $15-$30 for each show to increase accessibility. Pay at the price you prefer. All seating is general admission.

CREATIVE TEAM

AUTHOR | Erlend Loe
ADAPTER / DIRECTOR / PRODUCER | Kurt Engh
DRAMATURG | Danielle Kincs
PROJECTION DESIGN | Ian Olson
VIDEOGRAPHER | Keller Davis
POSTER ARTIST | Krista Braam

Thursday, September 14, 7:30pm: Elizabeth Hawkinson

Elizabeth Hawkinson THEATER: Theater Latté Da: Next to Normal (u/s), Candide, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd; Asolo Repertory Theatre: Sweeney Todd; Old Log Theater: Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder; Theater Forever: The Accident Book; Trademark Theater: The Reunion (reading); The Ordway: The Sound of Music; Artistry: Carousel; 7th House Theater: Little Shop of Horrors; CABARET: Crooners Main Stage: Dear Lenny, ’66: Talkin’ Bout My Generation, From Paris to Rome, Celebrating Sondheim; The Dakota: Dear Lenny.

Friday, September 15, 7:30pm: Ethan Bjelland-Hagberg

Ethan Bjelland-Hagberg serves as the Director of Communications at Norway House and is a teacher of Norwegian language and culture through the Concordia Language Villages and the Mindekirken Norwegian Language Culture Program. He began learning Norwegian at age six. With degrees in both Scandinavian Studies and Theatre, the last few years have marked a hiatus from theatre. He’s excited to be involved in Kurt Engh’s production of one of the first books he read in Norwegian. As a theatre artist, Ethan has worked with numerous theatres in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota as an actor, teaching artist, stage manager, and director, including Commonweal Theatre Company, Pro Rata, St. Croix Festival, Shadow Horse, 20%, Nimbus, Burning Ember, and Classical Actors Ensemble.

Saturday, September 16, 7:30pm: Vanessa Brooke Agnes

Vanessa Brooke Agnes (she/her) is a Black Queer artist and dreamer. Vanessa is Founding Artistic Director of Dark Muse Performing Arts, Co-Founder of Minnesota Black Theatre Circle, and an ArtsNest DirectorWorks graduate. Recent directing projects include Godspell, Songs for a New World (Artistry Theater), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Lyric Arts), Analog & Vinyl (Minneapolis Musical Theatre), K’É by Blossom Johnson (Playwrights’ Center Workshop), On Freeing Fire by Zola Dee (Red Eye Theater), FAME! (Children’s Performing Arts), The Niceties, An Evening with Ella and Harold, Beehive: The 60’s Musical (Lakeshore Players Theatre), The Uprising Vol. I, The Uprising Vol. II: Black HERstory, Phoenix Project (Dark Muse Performing Arts), DEAD TIRED short film (New Dawn Theatre Company). In addition, Vanessa is a producer, writer and performer. Up next: Assistant Directing Dial M for Murder (Guthrie Theater) and Directing Kinky Boots (Lyric Arts). Vanessa lives in South Minneapolis with her pup, Winnie. @vanessabrookeagnes

Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm: Christopher Hibma

Christopher is the Global Director for Videos for Change, Topher is also the Founding Chair of Zoukak Theatre’s Board of Trustees and a Senior Consultant for Ettijahat-Independent Culture (both located in Beirut, Lebanon). In his role as the Director of Sundance Institute’s Theatre Program, Christopher built one of the world’s leading brands and most diverse rosters of international multi-hyphenate artists while working with the Luma Fondation in France, the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival in Egypt, the Rolex Mentors & Protégés Initiative in Switzerland, the Office of the King Mohammed VI and Dar al-Ma’mun in Morocco, the Kampala International Theatre Festival in Uganda, Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and the Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative in Kenya. Topher is a member of Creative Capital’s National Advisory Council, an organization that invests in artists to shape the future and the Guild of Future Architects, a refuge for people shaping an inclusive & prosperous world. He has consulted with The Apollo Theater, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Guthrie Theater, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, IDEO and others. www.christopherhibma.com

This activity is made possible by the Tri-M Foundation Performing Arts Grant.