Business Briefs
by Chris Jackson20% Theatre Company
For Twin Cities theater buffs unfamiliar with this creatively titled troupe, 20% Theatre Company derives its name, and the majority of its works, from the disproportionate percentage of theatrical opportunities given to women.
The group aims to produce quality theater by female-, transgender-, and gender queer-identified actors, writers, and directors in order to give these communities a clearer voice.
“We don’t limit women to the voice of biology,” according to Claire Avitabile, 20% Theatre Artistic Director and spokesperson.
This year, the company takes on a larger bill than in previous seasons, performing new and original works from all over the nation.
“You’ll never see us do Shakespeare!” Avitabile boasts.
20% Theatre also prides itself on outreach and education for local aspiring talent, taking on interns for every aspect of production, including directing.
One of the season’s gems promises to be The Naked I, a sort of reworked, transgender Vagina Monologues.
Tickets and performance location information can be found on the company Web site, or by phone.
20% Theatre Company
(612) 377-6288
www.tctwentypercent.org
SkyWarn Training
SkyWarn trains weather observers throughout the country in order to supplement the National Weather Service (NWS).
Despite recent technology upgrades at the NWS local office in Chanhassen, when it comes to early detection, a trained set of human eyes has no replacement.
Bill Hughes, one of the many volunteer instructors for SkyWarn, says, “We are basically the Weather Service rep for the metro area.”
SkyWarn hosts a number of training sessions around the Twin Cities metro. They are free and open to the public. Anyone with an interest in weather is welcome to attend.
“I have had people from 7 to 70 in my classes,” Hughes reports.
SkyWarn classes teach basic weather information, along with severe storm structure. Contact and reporting protocol also are included in the training.
For more info visit www.metroskywarn.com, which lists locations and times, plus other training and volunteer opportunities.