PROJECT KNOWLEDGE- Day 45

Lanesboro, Minnesota and the Commonweal Theatre Company

Our visit to downtown Lanesboro turned out to be an all-day intensive on what makes Commonweal the regionally treasured theatre company that it is today. We knew we had to meet with Commonweal because of their unique artist administrator model, especially since one of the main problems that has been voiced countlessly throughout our travels is that artists and administrators are kept completely separate from one another. All 14 company members at the Commonweal are salaried to perform administrative duties as well as creative duties for every production. This means that the person you see performing on stage at the matinee could very well be the same person you purchased tickets from earlier at the box office. Not only does this give artists an opportunity to make a living in the theatre, but community members and commonweal staff concur that this is something that creates a stronger connection and enhances the overall theatergoing experience for the community.

Our first appointment was a full company staff meeting. When we thanked the artistic director, Hal Cropp, for inviting us to what would otherwise be a private meeting, he replied, "How else are you going to learn?" And learn we did. We witnessed an extremely efficient, hour-long meeting where all voices were heard in a loving and respectful atmosphere. One order of business that we particularly enjoyed was the giving of “bouquets”. A Commonweal “bouquet” is a staff member’s verbal acknowledgement of another staff members job well done in the week prior. Hal explained that it’s a great way to recognize all that has been accomplished, rather than getting bogged down by the current workload.

We met with Hal after the staff meeting, and were lucky enough to meet with managing director and chief visionary, Eric Bunge, later in the afternoon. From these talks, we were able to glean that the Commonweal is passionately dedicated to serving their community. They also understand that group harmony is what will serve their mission best. One great way the company has been able to keep that harmony is through exceptional organization. Though, at times, everyone will be called upon to do all sorts of tasks, the company is broken up into 4 main areas of focus: Executive, Development, Marketing, and Production. The staff had all been required to take a strengths finder test allowing them to find which area of focus they should be grouped in. Taking the process a step further, staff members learn one another’s strengths, which creates more efficiency in the carrying out of specific assignments.

To top the day off, we attended a Commonweal preview of a world-premiere adaptation of Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman, part of their annual Ibsen festival. It was a real treat to see their mission in action. The region has a dense Norwegian population, so the Ibsen festival is one way in which they bring regionally relevant stories to life. Another notable way they bring local flavor into the theatre is through the whimsical art fixtures that make up the entire lobby (designed and constructed by Lanesboro native, Karl Unnasch). We were somewhat obsessed with the design which included hammers for bathroom door handles and old school chalkboards in the stalls.

The Commonweal has succeeded in creating a beautiful space and wonderful shared experiences for the community to enjoy. Bravo Commonweal! Thanks for immersing us in the Commonweal experience, we learned so much!