Staging Community: Building a Supportive Ecosystem for one Local Theater
Learn how you can go from audience to advocate by supporting organizations like Exposed Brick Theatre.
By Chris Garner, Communications Specialist
Nonprofits are vital to our communities.
Each year the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, along with our fundholders, supports over 3,000 nonprofit organizations across the state. One of the organizations we supported this year was Exposed Brick Theatre.
For nearly 20 years, this Minnesota theater has made it their mission to provide up-and-coming Playwrights of Color with opportunities to share their stories.
“Theater has been a place that hasn't always been kind to a lot of people," said Suzy Messerole, co-founder and co-artistic director of Exposed Brick Theatre (The Theatre). “So, we celebrate omitted narratives, allowing artists to dive into the stories they want to tell.”
According to Suzy, nearly 20% of the productions put on by theater companies today are still the works of William Shakespeare, which only leaves 80% space for other playwrights and often less space for newer narratives.
“I didn't see my background, history or stories reflected in any of the work I was doing, so I was acting in roles where I was upholding somebody else's narrative,” said Aamera Siddiqui, co-founder and co-artistic director of Exposed Brick Theatre. “We realized quickly that there are so many artists out there that need a space where they can feel safe and where their stories are validated.”
Aamera and Suzy know firsthand how important it is to have their stories seen and heard, which is why they celebrate new artists and ideas. The Theatre provides early career playwrights of color with 6 – 24 months of in-depth training. From January to May they hold classes on playwriting, acting and directing.
Empowering New Artists and Playwrights
The theater prides itself on being in relation with other arts organizations and artists that empower communities and challenge issues of social justice.
“It is because of Exposed Brick that I am a playwright,” said Ehkhudah (Dah) Zar. “The opportunities that they give artists to grow, hone their craft and be able to tell stories are unmatched.”
This year The Theatre helped produce the first ever Karen play, written by and starring Dah. The play “Muyehpen” is based on a traditional Karen story passed down for generations by the people of Burma about a woman who possessed supernatural powers and was kidnapped by the king of Siam before being sacrificed.
“We were fortunate enough to hire Dah as an actor about five years ago,” said Suzy. “She’s a fantastic actor, and when we invited her to be part of that playwriting cohort, she wrote a few scenes of a play. We then commissioned her to write a short play and were lucky enough to mentor her to write this play.”
The Theatre pushed Dah to explore her talents as a Karen woman and turn a Karen folktale into a live action production. With support from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, they were able to fund the world premiere of "Muyehpen."
“We want the artists that we work with to soar. The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation helps us be a part of this giving ecosystem.”
Suzy Messerole
In addition to receiving a special grant from the Foundation for “Muyehpen,” the theater also received another grant, which has helped them pay their cohort as well as cover transportation, childcare, mentorship with other playwright mentors, and play development.
“The Foundation has been extremely helpful and extremely approachable,” Aamera said. “We feel that our mission was valued, and if we ever had a question, we were able to reach out to someone there.”
Grants like these have helped The Theatre support local artists and playwrights as they strive to reach the next levels in their careers. They understand the power of art and its ability to challenge issues and bring about important changes.
“We want the artists that we work with to soar,” said Suzy. “The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation helps us be a part of this giving ecosystem.”
Join Your Local Giving Community
Exposed Brick Theatre is just one example of the thousands of nonprofits that you can support by partnering with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. When you become a part of our giving community, you are supporting your nonprofit ecosystem.
There are many ways to give. If you’re thinking about making a charitable gift, we can make it easy for you to create an impact that will last for generations to come. Our Gift Planning team will partner with you and your estate planner to create a plan that fits within your larger financial picture and creates peace of mind.
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