Home         About Us         Featured Artists         Empowered Expressions         Production History         Contact Us Our Mission Outward Spiral Theatre Company is dedicated to producing theatre from a Queer point-of-view. We strive to entertain, educate and act as a catalyst for social change through inclusive, multi-cultural, provocative artistic expression. Organizational and Production History 1995 Theatre Founded by Timothy Lee and Jim Pounds in November 1996 Two Productions As Is, by William Hoffman --Directed by Timothy Lee at Pillsbury House The Well of Horniness, by Holly Hughes --Directed by Kim Hines at the Little Theater 1997 Artist Stipends Established The Stand-in, by Keith Curran --Directed by Timothy Lee at the Little Theater Blood:Shock:Boogie, by Daniel Alexander Jones --Directed by Daniel Alexander Jones at Penumbra Theater And Baby Makes Seven, by Paula Vogel --Co-Directed by Suzy Messerole and Timothy Lee at the Little Theater Access Services Instituted: ASL Interpretation and Audio Description 1998 First Subscription Packages Offered: A total of 12 season ticket holders Holy Smoke!, by Michael Dahl and Stephen Gee --Directed by Douglas Dally at the Phoenix Playhouse Je M'appelle Kim, by Kim Allen --Directed by Timothy Lee at the Phoenix Playhouse Why We Have a Body, by Claire Chafee --Directed by Suzy Messerole at Intermedia Arts Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love, by Brad Fraser --Directed by Timothy Lee at the Little Theater 1999 New Leadership: Jef Hall-Flavin & Suzy Messerole appointed Co-Artistic Directors Standing in the Shadows, by Rosemary McLaughlin --Directed by Suzy Messerole at the Little Theater A Bright Room Called Day, by Tony Kushner --Directed by Matt Sciple at the Little Theater Cloud 9, by Caryl Churchill --Directed by Timothy Lee at the Little Theater Reorganization: Executive Committee formed for day-to-day operations First Tour of a Full Production: Standing in the Shadows goes to St. Cloud First Organizational Development Grant: Fundraising/administrative needs addressed 2000 Season Ticket Sales Soar: Nearly 200 season ticket subscribers The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, by Paul Rudnick --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin at the Little Theater Ladies and Gentlemen, by Emma Donoghue --Directed by Suzy Messerole, with original music by Peter Vitale at the Little Theater The Big Hoover, by Antay Bilgutay --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin at the Little Theater Strategic Planning Process: OSTC receives grant to create a 3-year plan 2001 Move to the Loring Playhouse: Dog Opera marks first production in new home. David's Redhaired Death, by Sherry Kramer --Directed by Suzy Messerole at Old Arizona Studio Dusk, short plays by Joe Pintauro --Directed by Jeffry Lusiak at the Loring Playhouse (MN Fringe Festival production) Dog Opera, by Constance Congdon --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin at the Loring Playhouse Permanent office established: OSTC finds a home at Hennepin Center for the Arts. 2002 The year of Hedwig: Critical acclaim and audience praise result in an extended run. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, by John Cameron Mitchell, Music/Lyrics by Stephen Trask --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin at the Loring Playhouse Brave SmilesAnother Lesbian Tragedy, by the Five Lesbian Brothers -- Directed by Laurie Attea at the Loring Playhouse Leadership Change: Suzy Messerole resigns after 6 years of service; Jef Hall-Flavin remains as Artistic Director; Managing Director Robin Gillette on board. 2003 Year of Growth: OSTC begins the Night Out Series, and Hedwig returns for one night. In the Heart Of America, by Naomi Wallice --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin at the Loring Playhouse 5 Women on a Hill in Spain, by Claire Chafee --Directed by Suzy Messerole Falsettos, Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by William Finn and James Lapine --Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin, Musical Directed by Paul Kovacovic Night Out Series A Night Out With Jeffry: Dusk, A collection of Joe Pintauro short plays -Directed by Jeffry Lusiak A Night Out with Leigh: Cabaret, A Cabaret of GLBT Talent -Hosted by Leigh Combs A Night Out With Doug: Cabaret, The Trapp Family Singers -Written & Performed by Doug Trapp Leadership Change: At the conclusion of the season Jef Hall-Flavin resigned as Artistic Director after 5 years Robin Gillette resigns as Managing Director after 2 years Jeffry Lusiak is named Artistic Director 2004 New Leadership: Jeffry Lusiak is appointed Artisitc Director. Louisa Hext is named Board President. First production of a local new work: The Valets opens at the Minnesota Fringe Festival The Mineola Twins, by Paula Vogel --Directed by Jeffry Lusiak at The Loring Playhouse The Valets, by Matt Di Cintio --Directed by Jason Bucklin at The Loring Playhouse (MN Fringe Festival production) In the Garden, by Norman Allen --Directed by Jeffry Lusiak at The Loring Playhouse At the end of the season: Outward Spiral holds a Town Hall meeting at Mixed Blood Theatre to ask the community what it wants/needs out of a Queer Theatre Company. 2005 A Year of Rebirth: Outward Spiral redefines itself and its place in the community. Reorganization: Outward Spiral brings in new members to both the board and artistic staff. January: Ryan Davis is hired as Managing Director. February: Outward Spiral creates new mission statement. April: Long time artistic associate Jason Bucklin named Associate Artistic Director. May: Outward Spiral launches a new website. At Present: With the help of the press and community, Outward Spiral has created a new mission statement and has begun to work with organizations in order to develop Education and Outreach programs. With our new mission, board, and staff, Outward Spiral is reemerging as a theatre that can serve the Queer Community in exciting new ways.