Stages of Equity

Minneapolis-based artist, Peyton Scott Russell, has a B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and for over three decades has been a professional artist and arts instructor. The 1984 film, Style Wars, introduced Peyton to graffiti art and had a profound effect on him. From that point forward, he has devoted his time and energy to graffiti art. Currently, through assistance from a Bush Foundation Fellowship (2012-2014), Peyton is focused on his organization, SPRAYFiNGER®, which is dedicated to teaching, studying, and practicing Graffiti Education & The Art of Creative Lettering™. His mission, in addition to his personal artistic practice, is to increase awareness of graffiti as a teachable fine art by collaborating with schools, teachers,  and artists on curriculum design, outlines, and lesson plans designed to deepen the understanding of graffiti. Through his personal artwork and SPRAYFiNGER®, Peyton has engaged with individuals of all ages throughout Minnesota; North and South Dakota; Wisconsin; Kentucky; Kansas; New York; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Tel Aviv, Israel.  

Photo Credit: Greg Thompson

Queer Asian American writer and actor Viet Nguyen (he/him) plays eight characters in Reincarnation Soup, an intimate, one-person meditation on Vietnamese mythology and memory. During its recent run at the Minnesota Fringe, the show was a festival staff pick for a Golden Lanyard Award. During a previous production at the Orlando Fringe, the show also was named one of the Orlando Sentinel‘s Best of the Fest and earned the Critics’ Choice for Best Drama, as well as Patrons’ Pick.

As a newcomer to the Twin Cities theater community, Viet performed in Exposed Brick Theatre's world premiere of Muyehpen. His original shows produced at the Orlando Fringe also include The Monkey King and Bio Psycho Social. Other Central Florida acting credits include Macbeth with Sisyphus Productions, Rashomon and Eurydice with Mad Cow Theatre, Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens with Checkerboard Productions, and Cowboy Versus Samurai with the Asian Pacific Arts Scene, Inc. (APASI). Viet studied acting at the University of Florida and earned a Master in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. By day he is a passionate educational equity coach. By night he is an actor, a tired parent, and a connoisseur of soup.

Ten Thousand Things awakens the creative spirit of audiences and artists by bringing essential and exceptional theater to people from all backgrounds and life experiences.

Theater-goers experience the immediacy and vibrancy of theater through a performance in which there is no stage and actors perform in the middle of the audience. With minimal sets and costumes, the finest quality actors in the region fully engage the audience by distilling the story to its essence.

We perform in the round, with the lights on and minimal sets and live music. The result is a performance that engages the imagination of our audiences. Through this dynamic exchange, artists and audience breathe new life into theater together, reminding us that theater is essential to all of our lives. 

Our free performances are at shelters for the unhoused, correctional facilities, low-income senior centers, after-school programs, women’s shelters, and locations in greater/rural Minnesota. We also perform for paying audiences in such locations as the Capri Theater, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, The Woman’s Club, Open Book, and North Garden Theater.

"A profound and gracious joy." - The Star Tribune

Founded in 2004 by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands in Saint Paul, MN, TU Dance is a leading voice for contemporary dance. The 10-member, professional company is acclaimed for its diverse and versatile artists, performing work that draws together modern dance, classical ballet, African-based, and urban vernacular movements.

The TU Dance repertory features original work by renowned choreographers including Dwight Rhoden, Ron K. Brown, Kyle Abraham, Gioconda Barbuto, Katrin Hall, Marcus Jarrell Willis, Gregory Dolbashian and Camille A. Brown. Through celebrated performances of the professional company and accessible dance education at TU Dance Center, TU Dance provides opportunities for everyone to experience the connective power of dance.

TU Dance’s Mission:

TU Dance draws from diverse dance expressions to connect communities with transformational possibilities that bring to life our shared humanity.

Salsa del Soul is a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean. Salsa del Soul was formed with the purpose to provide great dance music for Twin Cities Salsa fans. The musicians of Salsa del Soul represent some of the finest talents in the Twin Cities Latin music scene. The styles of music  performed include Son, Son Montuno, Plena, Cha-cha-cha, Bachata, Merengue, Timba, and, of course, Salsa! Salsa del Soul performs locally at restaurants and bars, jazz and Latin festivals, private engagements, and other locations and events.

Salsa del Soul has been making superb dance music around the Twin Cities and the Midwest region for more than a decade, providing top-notch talent delivered in the most professional fashion consistently and expeditiously — the fruits of which can be recognized in Salsa del Soul's long list of clients and long-standing performance venues.

Salsa del Soul performs in many combinations, including a full nine-piece orchestra, a smaller Latin jazz quintet or quartet, and as a Latin jazz duo.