From our Jungle Artists
With all that is happening in our world, we at the Jungle Theater want to encourage you to take a moment to connect and revel in all the things that expand our world—courage, compassion and creativity.
Today we are finding respite in the form of celebration. Celebration of the art we make, the community we build, and the people who support our endeavors. Be sure to check back as we continue to share testimonials from our artists throughout the month!
FROM THE EFFECT COSTUME DESIGNER SARAH BAHR:
"The Jungle Theater has been an artistic playground for me over the past 10 years. My first costume design at the Jungle was for ‘Anna in the Tropics,’ and is one of my favorite productions I’ve ever worked on. I felt an immense amount of support, value, and respect from the staff, artistic and design teams, production crew, and cast. Working at the Jungle as both a costume and set designer has taught me how to collaborate balancing creativity and efficiency, to take risks and experiment, and take pride in the important work I contribute to as a theater artist. One of my favorite memories is when designing ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ I drew a small dog in my costume rendering for Anne de Bourgh, because she is the type of character that has all the things, which lead us to having a real dog onstage for the production!
‘The Effect’ is my 14th Jungle design, and I am so honored to be working alongside both artists making their Jungle debut, as well as veteran artists that are an essential part of the Jungle’s history and magic."
From Benjamin Olsen, Scenic Designer for THE EFFECT
“Firstly I’d like to say that some of my most vivid theatrical memories are from the Jungle Theater: John Middleton and Christina Baldwin sharing a tender moment as the stage transformed into a sweet winter garden underscored by Aarvo Part’s ‘Spiegel im spiegel’ (“In the Next Room or the vibrator play”). The shocking moment an entire house burned down onstage and we were left with smoldering ruins (“Detroit”). Becca Hart twirling in the air and singing upside down, buoyed by the awe of the audience (“Ride the Cyclone”). This is theatre par excellence - transporting, devastating, awesome.
So it is a joy and honor to be working now with this storied institution on THE EFFECT, a great play that I have also loved for a long time. A genuine commitment to artistry, daringness, and storytelling has guided everyone’s work on this project. It has been wonderful to plug into the community of artists at the Jungle who bring these projects to life!”
From Artistic Cohort Member & FAST FWD MOTIONS Playwright Katie Ka Vang
"I appreciate The Jungle so much because of the thoughtfulness and care they put into their collaborations and making sure everyone is treated fair while also bearing in mind what's a good fit for the work. I'm moved by how much they show up to bat for me and teach me how to bat for myself. The Jungle is a place where I've grown in unimaginable ways, far and wide, and still feel supported."
FROM DINNER FOR ONE DESIGNER ELI SHERLOCK
“The Jungle has always held a special place for me in my theater journey – I grew up seeing productions there regularly beginning in my early teens, and in college it was my first official theater internship…I’ve remained connected to the artists of the Jungle, sharing resources, ideas, and connections.
I’m a freelance scenic designer based in Minneapolis, and the Jungle has always been a tentpole organization that I turn to when designing with companies that have fewer resources, smaller or different stock of furniture and scenery, or the need for the expertise or knowledge that I know the folks at the Jungle have.
My first experience as a scenic designer at the Jungle was for DINNER FOR ONE in 2023 (which we remounted in 2024), and I felt incredibly supported in both the financial commitment to my work and the support of talented artists and craftspeople to execute it, which led to healthier practices and expectations for me as a freelance artist whose time is balanced between multiple organizations at any given time. Scenic design is my sole source of income, so I frequently have to think hard about the balance of compensation and the amount of work a design requires against the artistic value and fulfillment that the project has. I’ve found the Jungle to be a place where I don’t have to consider my options before enthusiastically agreeing to join a project!
Artistically, it’s always been a place where new, imaginative, risky, relevant, and inclusive work can flourish, and I love the opportunity to see and support that work. It is one of the strongest professional theater organizations in the Twin Cities Theater Community, and I always encourage people to sustain it in any way they can.”
Join us for our next BASH Night to see your donations hard at work on our stage! Your support will help us build the stability we need to not only create and tell important stories in this moment, but to thrive and grow for many years to come.
Tickets at jungletheater.org/bash-nights
As part of our commitment to you, and an added benefit to ticket-buyers, all tickets include an invitation to the first rehearsal of FAST FWD MOTIONS. The first 10 ticket-buyers and a guest will also be invited to a special “In the Making” look at our technical rehearsals of THE EFFECT on Sunday, February 23rd.