We intend to create productions that include and encourage the participation of all genders, races, sexual orientations and abilities. It is through these varied perspectives that a complete picture can emerge and be celebrated.
We have realized there is a scarcity of substantial roles in the theater for women of a certain age: female characters tend to be stereotyped, marginalized, or lacking altogether. Considering there is so much great experienced female talent in the Twin Cities that is not fully utilized, either by the plays being produced or the roles being written, we want to fill this gap. We aim to produce plays that employ these valuable female theater artists and be fundamental to crafting nuanced perceptions of mature women.
We have created a theater company that:
Hires artists of a certain age both on stage and behind the scenes.
Introduces diversity by using imaginative casting to broaden the audience’s perception.
Encourages the creation of new works.
Engages with women’s organizations and senior groups as community collaborators.
Seeks institutional partnerships that align with our mission to serve these communities.
— MAGGIE SMITH, ACTOR
Produce full staged productions encompassing our mission and values.
Become a professional theater with intent to hire union talent from Day One.
Provide work to Twin Cities artists with pay.
Promote diversity, inclusion and equity.
Produce staged readings to develop community involvement in material selection for each production season.
Plan pre-show focus groups and post-show discussions to engage the community with the art.
Organize and launch a playwriting festival to encourage the development of material relevant to our mission and to the population we serve.
Implement our core values across all areas of the organization.
Demonstrate and model respect to self and others.
Maintain personal and professional accountability.
Exhibit integrity at all times.
Be tenacious in the quest for excellence.
Encompass an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Honor the value of the artist.
Alison has spent the last 40 years in New York acting in theatre, film, TV and, more recently, audio books. In New York City she performed at the Roundabout Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Riverside Shakespeare Festival. Alison was the standby for Judith Light on the National tour of WIT. Regionally she has performed in numerous productions including: the regional theatre premiers of WIT and SHADOWLANDS as well as WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, DOUBT, THE ROYAL FAMILY, 33 VARIATIONS, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THE LION IN WINTER, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST and numerous Shakespeare productions. She spent four seasons at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where she was an Artistic Associate. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. She is now, happily, a Twin Cities resident.
Shelli is no stranger to global industrials and corporate shows having served as Producer/Director for programs in North America, Europe and Asia. She developed shows for the Walt Disney Company, directed the NFLA Player of the Year Awards as well as awards/incentive programs for ADP, Hewlett Packard and Wells Fargo. Her specialty is speech coaching for executives.
She has worked with former Presidents, Senators, TV/film celebrities and iconic sports figures. Shelli has directed plays, musical revues and fashion shows worldwide. MN credits include Direction/Choreography for Old Log, Minnesota Jewish Theater Company, Theater Unbound and the Hennepin Theater Trust. She is an experienced actress with credits from Shakespeare to sit-com, and a member of Actor’s Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, & ATAS (Television Academy of Arts and Sciences). Education: BFA in Acting, Southern Methodist University.
Anne Marie Gillen, Chair
CEO of Gillen Group, LLC
Susanne Egli, Vice Chair
Owner of Communication Navigation, LLC
Nancy Monroe, Secretary
Editor for Franchise Times Corp.
Susan Eder/Treasurer
Alison Edwards, Artistic Director
Shelli Place, Artistic Director
Learn more about our new board HERE.
Our Advisors are committed to helping us grow and expand. They represent a wide array of interests, backgrounds and wisdom. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and support.
Charles Randolph-Wright
Director/writer/producer
Sharon Bialy
Casting Director for television/film/TV
Michelle Caron
Owner and founder of Caron Consulting, LLC
Pat Milan
Chief Creative Officer, Tunheim Agency
Marcia Stout
Philanthropist
Kim Greene
Actor/J.D.
Robbye Lewis
Actor/Grant writer
Eric “Pogi” Sumangil
Playwright/Actor
Rose McGee
Program Officer at the Minnesota Humanities Center/
Sweet Potato Pie Philanthropist
Michael Shann
Executive Producer/ International sports and entertainment events
Julia Weiler
Former Professional Dancer/ Experienced BOD
of Dance/Theatre Organizations
Fawn Wilderson
Theatre Artist/Educator/Attorney
Learn more about our Advisory Board HERE:
LITTLE WARS
May 2017
TWO DEGREES
October 2018
MARJORIE PRIME
May 2019
PRIME Productions was founded in 2016 by Alison Edwards, Elena Giannetti and Shelli Place, as a response to the lack of available roles for mature actresses in the Minneapolis/St Paul region.
The first production was LITTLE WARS by Steven Carl McCasland in May 2017, which featured 9 female roles, 7 over 50.
That fall, PRIME Voices: A Staged Reading Series was launched, as a way to provide more acting opportunities for mature women, while engaging audiences in a more relaxed form of entertainment. Three plays were presented as readings for one night each from September thru November 2017: CHASING MANET by Tina Howe, SKIN & BONE by Jacqueline Goldfinger and TWO WEEKENDS AND A DAY by Susan Westfall. The series utilized the talents of 11 women over 50 and was offered free of charge.
In the fall of 2018, PRIME Productions was invited to the Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio to present TWO DEGREES by Tara Palmquist as part of their Ninth Floor Initiative.
The following spring, MARJORIE PRIME by Joshua Harmon was co-produced and presented at Park Square Theatre on the Andy Boss Thrust Stage as part of their theatre in residence program.
The fall of 2019 saw the second season of PRIME Voices: A Staged Reading Series: THREE FORKS by Staci Sweeden, CITY OF CONVERSATION by Anthony Giardina and finally Noel Coward’s WAITING IN THE WINGS. WAITING IN THE WINGS alone featured 14 women, 11 of whom were over 50. The entire series was able to display the talents of 19 mature Twin Cities female artists.
To date PRIME Productions has employed 43 women over age 50 on stage and behind the scenes.
In 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic, PRIME was forced to regroup and postponed the scheduled production of THE ROOMMATE by Jen Silverman. In place of live productions, PRIME created PRIME Voices: An Interview series ‘PRIME Women sharing a piece of their mind’. Each month, starting in the fall, we have shared an interview with a woman over 50 from a diverse group and their inspiring story.
