“Drawing Lessons” and One of the Actors at its Heart

“Drawing Lessons” is the Children’s Theatre Company’s latest show, which will run from October through November of this year. The show is aimed at older children and teenagers, and is a highly visual experience that will appeal to anyone who loves comics and graphic novels. The story centers on Kate, a young artist and Korean American who is trying to figure out her place at school, in her family and as a creative. The role of Kate is shared by two young actors (Olivia Lampert and Mars Niemi) who trade off the role from night to night. I had the chance to speak with Niemi about their thoughts on the show and their experience playing Kate and being a part of “Drawing Lessons.”

“I identify as trans-masc, genderfluid, and gender-ambiguous and go by he/they pronouns,” says Niemi, “I am playing a character whose gender is different than mine, and I want that to be known.” Although Kate uses she/her pronouns and Niemi uses he/they, Niemi has speculated that he and Kate might be more alike than a surface-level reading suggests.

“As Kate’s gender identity is never explicitly talked about, I headcanon that she may be figuring out some things related to her gender, so there is some ambiguity and fluidity regarding this in my portrayal of Kate,” Niemi explains. “She was also raised without a mother figure, so her mannerisms are subconsciously more masculine and similar to her dad’s.”

Niemi continues, explaining how they have found other parts of themselves in Kate: “[I] connect a lot with Kate. I was also often distracted in class and had a difficult relationship with my father which is similar to Kate as well.”

Clearly, Niemi has brought a lot of himself to creating Kate, but he would be the first to tell you that Kate has taught him a few things as well. “Developing the role of Kate has taught me that silence is not a sign of weakness and that being strong-willed is a strength as long as you don’t let it get to your head,” they say. “I’ve always been strong-willed, determined, and experienced being the quiet kid throughout middle school.”

“Drawing Lessons” is aimed at an older audience. Although young children will likely enjoy the visual elements of the show, the brunt of the story deals with issues like self-expression, alienation and race that will be more resonant to an audience of upper elementary through high school students.

“I hope for audiences to take with them an understanding of those who are quiet or shy and can’t speak up,” says Niemi. “I would also like them to take with them the lesson that perseverance and commitment to your art is rewarding and that you should pursue your dreams and become an artist. I hope for audiences to connect with Kate throughout this raw and intimate yet beautiful story. Especially during the hardest times.”

When Niemi is not playing Kate, that responsibility falls to Lampert. “I’ve had such a fantastic time sharing this role with Olivia,” he says. “She is so talented and I admire her work as an artist. We have very different takes and ways of portraying Kate, so depending on who’s performing as Kate, the show is completely different. So, if you are able, I would recommend coming twice to see both of us perform.”

“Drawing Lessons” is a coming-of-age story that will appeal to many children who are also working to figure out their place in the world. “I want to share this beautiful story about how and why a sensitive young person might start to identify as an artist with the incredible audience community that CTC has cultivated in the Twin Cities,” says director Jack Tamburri.

“Drawing Lessons” marks yet another World Premiere Production at the Children’s Theatre Company through Generation Now, which is a powerhouse partnership between five theaters and has the express intent of creating new, diverse works for multigenerational audiences. “Drawing Lessons” was co-commissioned by the Children’s Theater Company and Ma-Yi Theater Company in New York.

“‘Drawing Lessons’ shows CTC at its best,” says CTC Artistic Director Rick Dildine. “CTC has a history of creating new work, and this original piece incorporates the craft of the comic artist into the theatrical process in a dynamic way.” 

Playwright Michi Barall is also excited about bringing visual art into the storytelling on stage: “Comic artist Blue Delliquanti’s drawings are full of movement, warmth and humor, beautifully illustrating Kate’s inner and external worlds. I know that experiencing Blue’s visual storytelling on a theatrical scale will be magical!”

Bringing “Drawing Lessons” to the stage has been exciting for Barall. “It’s absolutely thrilling to see my initial rendering of ‘Drawing Lessons’ become a multi-dimensional production,” Barall says. “I am so immensely grateful to have such innovative and wildly imaginative creative partners on the design team.”

“Drawing Lessons” runs from October 8 through November 10 of this year on the Cargill Stage at CTC, with opening night falling on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 7 p.m. The show has a 90-minute runtime with one 20-minute intermission.

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at childrenstheatre.org/drawing or by calling the Ticket Office at (612) 874-0400.