BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP THEATRE MOVING BACK
TO HISTORIC HOME on HENNEPIN AVENUE

Minneapolis, MN, December 4, 2001 --- The Brave New Workshop Theatre, founded by Dudley Riggs in 1958, announced today that it will move its main stage theatre operations and offices back to its historic 2605 Hennepin Avenue location this coming January 2002. The Brave New Workshop (BNW) will perform its final show at its current Calhoun Square location (which it first occupied in November 1998) on January 6, 2002. The BNW's next production, "We Moved Our Cheese (and everything else) or Hindsignt is 2605 Hennepin" will begin performances on Friday, January 18, 2002 at the 2605 Hennepin Avenue location.According to John Sweeney, co-owner and executive producer of the BNW, this consolidation of the BNW's operations is a proactive decision to reduce the company's fixed expenses and ensure the long-term financial stability of the theatre.

"Based upon the current economic trends, we are excited that this consolidation will enable us to continue upholding our commitment to Dudley Riggs," said Sweeney. "When Dudley handed over the theatre to us in 1997, we pledged to him that we would carry on his tradition by ensuring the BNW remain a vital leader in the comedy industry for the next 40 years. Our decision to transition back to 2605 Hennepin honors our pledge."

According to Sweeney, the owners of Calhoun Square worked with the BNW to create a positive transition back to the 2605 Hennepin location. "The flexibility and cooperation shown by Ray Harris and the management staff of Calhoun Square is another clear example of their commitment to the Uptown community," said Sweeney. "We can't thank them enough."

The transition North back to the historic BNW home will reestablish the custom of presenting weekly original sketch comedy and improvisation at 2605 Hennepin Avenue, a tradition that began in that space on November 30, 1965. "In the early years ('the sixties'), the Brave New Workshop was constantly on the move, usually just slightly ahead of the urban renewal wrecking ball," said Dudley Riggs. "In 1965 we found the old bike shop on Hennepin and were allowed to catch our wind. Then we were kissed by 'the muse of 2605 Hennepin.' The juices flowed. Vice and folly were exposed. The audience came. And you can hear their laughter still, especially on show nights."

In preparation for it's reopening, the historic 2605 Hennepin Avenue location has been undergoing major cleaning and technical upgrades via the hands of numerous volunteers. Many of these volunteers are students and staff of the Brave New Institute School for Improvisation, which is also housed at 2605 Hennepin Avenue. "We are once again surprised by the support and passion so many people have for this theatre," said Jenni Lilledahl, co-owner of the BNW and director of the Brave New Institute. "The most important word in improvisation is "yes" - saying 'yes' to all ideas, say 'yes' to change, say 'yes' to your instincts, and so on. Everyone in the BNW family is approaching this transition with a rousing 'yes' and it feels great."

Since 1965 hundreds of actors and millions of audience members have enjoyed our unique brand of Minnesota comedy at the historic 2605 Hennepin Avenue location, and according to Sweeney many of the alumni and long-term patrons of the theatre are excited for the revival of this historic space. Peter Guertin, music director of the BNW, is currently playing in his 28th production for the BNW and worked extensively at the 2605 Hennepin space in the late 1980' and into the 1990's before returning to the BNW in 1999. "The 2605 Hennepin space is so intimate and it lends itself to the work we do," said Guertin. "The amount of amazing original songs and sketches that have been performed in the 2605 Hennepin space over the years is truly unbelievable. Because of the people, the energy and 'comedic ghosts' that have inhabited that stage, I believe the work produced at 2605 Hennepin will continue to be some of the best theatre in the Twin Cities and I'm excited I'll be able to work in that space again."

According to Sweeney, the transition to 2605 Hennepin Avenue satisfies the two requirements they set when making the decision. "We wanted to accomplish this transition without reducing the size of our staff or number of product offerings we have, which this solution allows," said Sweeney. "And we wanted to seamlessly continue offering the world renown comedy that we have been creating since 1958, which we will also accomplish. From our customer's standpoint it will be status quo as the show must go on."

The BNW's phone number and web site will continue to be (612) 332-6620 and www.BraveNewWorkshop.com. The mailing address will change in January to 2605 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408.

A detailed historical timeline and other information regarding the 2605 Hennepin Avenue location, as well as other background information about the transition can be found on the BNW web site at http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/movinginfo.htm.

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