Don't Expect Indifference: A Twin Cities Theater Cabaret

Tuesday, April 22 | 7:00pm

Featuring musical acts and performances coordinated by Jungle Theater, Teatro del Pueblo, Yellow Tree Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre, Trademark Theater, Theater Latté Da, Theater Mu, Park Square Theatre, An Opera Theatre, and Nautilus Music-Theater.

Join the Twin Cities Theater community on April 22nd at 7pm for an artistic response to the moment, particularly the adjusted NEA requirements and the current landscape of fiscal censorship.

Theater companies across the Twin Cities will be at the Jungle Theater to share performance pieces, be together as a community of concerned artists and citizens to demonstrate resistance to what the federal government is doing and how it is hurting our field. 

This is a FREE event that will feature a variety of performance styles and artists that aims to communicate concern and opposition to what we see happening to arts funding as well as unite our community (theaters, artists, audience members, supporters, engaged citizens) and remind ourselves that our creativity, energy, and strength is a tremendous force for hope. 

What, specifically, sparked this cabaret?

The arts are feeling the effects of the current administration in many ways including how it affects funding. In early February, the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) released new restrictions for grant applications for arts organizations. The guidelines included adherence to all applicable Executive Orders while NEA award grants are administered (whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions) as well as the following verbatim requirements:

  • The applicant will not operate any programs promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173.

  • The applicant understands that federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.

On February 21, 2025, TCG (Theater Communications Group), Rhode Island Latino Arts, National Queer Theater, The Theater Offensive filed a suit that argues the new certification requirements and funding prohibition violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the First Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment. 

While many organizations do not receive federal funding or only receive a small amount, the intent to censor what arts organizations can create and erode the effectiveness of the arts is upsetting and threatening to the field. Particularly for BIPOC theaters and Queer theaters, these restrictions make their work and organizations entirely ineligible for funding from the NEA. 

We hope you will join us for this evening of meaningful art, unity, and activism. Whether you are a fan of these art and performance in the Twin Cities or you're simply looking for some way to support resistance to federal changes, we welcome you to join us on April 22nd at the Jungle Theater. 

FEATURING

PARTICIPATING THEATERS

 

FREE TICKETS

To insure that everyone who wants to attend can, tickets for the event is free.

Tickets for the in person show sold out so quickly! We wanted to make sure everyone who wants to join can, so we will be streaming the event. Please sign up below to receive the link as well as helpful materials on how you can help support theaters during this time.

If you to wish to support these theaters, please consider donating via the link below. All funds raised will be distributed among the participating theaters.

April 22, 2025

7:00pm

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RUN TIME
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Concerns about COVID-19 are top of mind for everyone, and when joining the Jungle for a performance, we want you to feel confident in your time with us. As protocols to protect against COVID-19 continue to evolve, the Jungle Theater is committed to caring for our people – that includes our artists, our audiences, and our staff.

For our 2024/25 Season, masks for audience members are optional but strongly recommended. Additionally, masks will be required for all Wednesday 7:30pm performances. Please note that this policy is subject to change.

Please click here to learn more about our response to the coronavirus.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.