Organizational Statement

Theatre B values creative work of high artistic integrity, a healthy ensemble and intentional family, thought-provoking art as inspiration for social action, stewardship of all resources and the theatre as an integral part of a healthy cultural community. Since 2003, the ensemble and guest artists of Theatre B have brought to life a wide variety of the latest award-winning plays and bold, untested new works. Located in the renovated storefront at 716 Main Avenue in downtown Fargo, Theatre Bs unique space removes barriers between actor and audience, intensifying the experience and moving viewers to contemplate the stories long after they have left the theatre. Theatre Bs mission is to engage regional audiences through innovative theatrical productions that are culturally and artistically invigorating. Theatre B will become an established professional theatre built around a resident ensemble and enmeshed in the fabric of the community. In partnership with the North Dakota Public Schools, Theatre B will work to extend their mission to the youth of North Dakota. By focusing on a production that stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle and subsequent eating habits, Theatre B will improve the communitys health while increasing student arts involvement.

FoodPlay Productions works with public and private partners (school districts, corporations, foundations, and government agencies) to create regional and national tours, media campaigns, video/DVD kits, books, curricula, and educational materials to promote healthy habits in schools, homes, and communities. FoodPlay Productions programs have been created under sponsorship by the US Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, and departments of public health and education throughout the country.

Details of the Project Narrative

Using artists in the Theatre B ensemble, we would produce a nutrition-education performance that demonstrates the value and importance of nutrition, exercise and drug-free lifestyles. As FoodPlay does not currently tour to North Dakota, Theatre B would produce and tour the existing script and design of FoodPlays This Is Your Life!, which combines thought-provoking drama and rib-tickling humor to empower young people to critically evaluate media messages and peer group pressures to make healthy choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, body image, and tobacco-free living. A four-week, 20 city tour through North Dakotas smaller, more rural communities would allow for the broadest audience within a typically underserved region. Since the geographic and social demographics of North Dakota do not allow universal access to health & fitness and arts education, a touring production of FoodPlay would allow all students the opportunity to explore this part of life without putting financial stress on the families or communities. Schools the production would plan to attend: A L Hagen Junior High School, Beulah Middle School, Cavalier Middle School, Central Middle School, Erik Ramstad Middle School, Fort Yates Middle School, Grafton Central School, Griggs CO Cnt Elem-Hannaford, Hazen Middle School, Jim Hill Middle School, Langdon Area Middle School, Lisbon Middle School, Mandaree Middle School, May-Port CG Middle School, Memorial Middle School, Midway Middle School, Nathan Twining Elementary School, Nathan Twining Middle School, New Leipzig Elementary School, New Town Middle School, Northern Cass Middle School, Regent Elementary School, Simle Middle School, Turtle MT Community Middle School,Valley Middle School, Wachter Middle School, and Williston Junior High School.

This Is Your Life! is designed for middle-school students and their families, which is the ideal age-range to start a dialogue from a theatrical experience. Rural North Dakota is characterized by lower income demographics that have restricted access to fresh nutrient dense foods and often develop food insecurity. These populations tend to consist of smaller, multi-national communities that dont have access to large-chain grocery stores, and are often forced to subsist on products available at fast-food retailers or convenience stores. These same communities often share art teachers with multiple school districts, and are often forced to cut any access to drama programs. By touring a production through Theatre B, students and their families would have the opportunity to explore theatrical entertainment while learning about healthier choices to make the best out of their circumstance. Our strategy behind this project is to educate the communities in rural North Dakota about the benefits of maintaining a healthier lifestyle and how to do so with the resources that are available to them. Those aspects include not only educating the students, but their parents, teachers, foodservice staff, school board members and the healthcare staff of those school districts. Since FoodPlay develops creative and memorable strategies, this will help those individuals implement what is being taught. Those strategies include healthier food options and shopping tips, exercise and activity ideas and educational materials about living a tobacco-free lifestyle. Our outcome for this project is to show that if individuals start making an effort to live a healthier lifestyle when theyre younger, than their chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes and cancer decreases dramatically. In the long run, this could decrease the cost of healthcare in the state of North Dakota too. This project would require the selection of five artists; two male actors, two female actors and one stage manager. Selection of these artists would occur at the FoodPlay national auditions,

held in New York, NY and at the United Professional Theatre Auditions. Selection of the actors and stage manager would be left to the discretion of FoodPlay Productions, so that the cast would fit in with established standards. Actors must be able to present a good role model for young children, have a strong speaking voice, great stage presence and an interest in working with children. Actors must be over 18 and have a valid drivers license. Ideal candidate for the stage manager presents professional and positive role model for children, flexible, strong leader, organized, good driver with penchant for travel. The stage manager serves as company ambassador to schools, supports performer troupe, is cool under pressure, has positive attitude, has working knowledge of sound equipment and theater or is willing to learn. He or she must have a valid drivers license. Casting and hiring of personnel will occur over the month of February 2014, and by April 1, 2014 all contracts will be signed and on file. Rehearsals begin in December 2014, and production tour will take place January 20 through February 20th, 2015. Each performance will take place according to the specific schools assembly preference, with the option for an evening showing available. The team will travel to the school in the morning, set up, meet with students and/or teachers, perform, answer questions, strike and travel to the next city, beginning the schedule again the next day. Weekends will first be devoted to travel, and school districts will be given the opportunity to schedule Saturday performances open to the community, any remaining time on Saturday and all of Sunday will be considered time-off for the team.

Biographies of Key Project Personnel

Tucker Bergmann (Director of Education)- Tucker grew up and graduated from high school in the rural town of Long Prairie Minnesota. After graduating high school he attended North

Dakota State University where he received his Bachelors degree in Education. Tucker has been with us for 9 years and has been working in the North Dakota Public Schools system as long. His dedication to fostering the growth and development of North Dakotas youth has inspired him to initiate multiple outreach programs designed to provide a universally accessible curriculum for all students. Nicholas Miller (Director of Research)- Nicholas Miller has held this position for the last four years, his specialty lies in his web of contacts in various business, historical, and legal firms, which greatly expands his access to information needed by customers. Nicholas also specializes in making information available via electronic formats. After studying Public History at NDSU, Nicholas has found great depths to North Dakotas history and partnered with Mr. Bergmann in an effort to bring the richness of the Rough-Rider State to children throughout the state. Anna Pieri (Artistic Director)- Anna Pieri graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance from NDSU. She has been working in professional theatre and stage management for the past 7 years. Previous credits include Tecumseh! The Outdoor Drama, Iphigenia at Aulis, and Scrooge Macbeth. She stage-managed Theatre Bs production of The Laramie Project Ten Years Later, which included a brand new script that was being rewritten during rehearsals, a performance at The Historic Fargo Theatre and a live stream simulcast with the writers and New York creative team. Anna is an avid art history enthusiast, passionate foodista and loves plunging into new cultures and subroutines with gusto. Danielle Jolayne (Director of Nutrition)- Danielle Jolayne is a multi-disciplined woman who has earned her M.S. in Nutrition & Exercise Science from North Dakota State University. She is passionate about creating educational programs for low income families and minorities,

including opening food shelf centers that offer top quality fresh foods to those in need. She is also a strong advocate for womans health. Her interests include reading classical works from the minds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George R.R. Martin and Shakespeare. She also enjoys visiting local independent restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops.

Programmatic Activities
Main Stage
Theatre B produces a four-show main stage season, presenting some of the newest, most innovative plays available for the Fargo-Moorhead region. The season spans from fall through spring, with each show running at least four or five weeks. This performance schedule is unique in the region. Theatre Bs long runs allow artists to bring the stories fully to life and gives an ever growing audience greater access to our distinctly intimate venue. Theatre B Emerging Artist Training (B.E.A.T.) Theatre Bs B.E.A.T. program gives talented emerging artists the opportunity to deepen their talents by co-learning, training, and creating with experienced members of the Theatre B ensemble. B.E.A.T. strives to foster the deeper creative development of these talented emerging artists in an immersive, focused way through rigorous training as well as undertaking the creative process, often towards a high-quality theatrical event. Theatre B believes strongly in the power of the ensemble as a creative force. The B.E.A.T. Program cultivates the next generation of theatre artists by encouraging a multidisciplinary approach and intensive cross-training. With emphasis on a small ensemble, contemporary literature, and current training techniques, B.E.A.T. provides students a safe environment to question assumptions and explore ideas. The creative process of the ensemble produces confident young leaders as well as a thrilling theatrical event. The highlight of the B.E.A.T. program is our Summer B.E.A.T. Training and Performance program. Over the course of 6 weeks young emerging artists - currently attending or recently graduated from High School - spend 8 hours a day exploring the art and craft of ensemble-based theatre through training and rehearsal toward the performance of an innovative theatrical production.

Incubator Series
INCUBATOR Provides heat and promotes development In an effort to expand the opportunities for artists and audiences in the region, Theatre B launched the Incubator Series for new work. Emerging playwrights can see how their writing

translates from the page to the stage. Regional audiences will have the chance not only to see previously unseen and un-produced work, but also to provide feedback for playwrights prior to final publishing. Ultimately, Theatre B will commission new work and assist with script development for playwrights at any stage of their careers.

Community Collaborations
Theatre B takes on several special projects and collaborations each year. Some projects develop from requests by service organizations who wish to use theatre as a means of community engagement. Others grow out of the creative or educational interests of ensemble members and guest artists. Previous Community Collaborations include:

Re-Entry - a collaboration with The Department of Veteran Affairs Fargo VA Health Care System 8 The Play - a collaboration with The Fargo Theatre and the FM Pride Collective and Community Center Standing On Ceremony - The Gay Marriage Plays - A collaboration with Tectonic Theater Project The Defiant Requiem a collaboration with the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra Next Fall a staged reading in conjunction with National Coming Out Day The Year of Magical Thinking a one woman show performed and toured by Mary Cochran Ellis Island: The Dream of America a collaboration with the FM Symphony The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later a world-wide simulcast presented at the Fargo Theatre Body & Sold a series of staged readings sponsored by the Soroptimist Clubs of Fargo & Moorhead The Soldiers Tale a collaboration with the FM Symphony Chamber Music Series Bright Bird: The Art of Corita Kent a staged reading and arts event series presented by the Spirit Room, the Presentation Sisters, PEPP, and Jill Johnson-Danielson