Cheap Theatre Presents: Bamboozle, a Storytelling Show - 2/18/2023 @ 7pm

Cheap Theatre presents a one night only storytelling show on the theme Bamboozle - Saturday, February 19th at 7pm.This is the real deal, the genuine article, it will change your life and you've never seen anything like it.

Performers include: Tom Christ, Danny Klecko, Mary Moore Easter, Laura Rockhold, and Richard Rousseau. Show is hosted by Erica Christ.

Tickets are $10 at the door or from a performer. Ticket price includes a beverage. *Note earlier start time. The restaurant closes at 9pm.

For information about the event, follow the link to Cheap Theatre's Facebook page: Cheap Theatre Facebook Page

Cheap Theatre Presented: Light, a Storytelling Show

Cheap Theatre Presented: Patience, a Storytelling Show
 

Cheap Theatre Presented: Matter, a Storytelling Show

Richard presented Recipes for Story during StoryArts of MN’s StoryFest 2021 (5/10 - 5/15) -- a week highlighting the power of stories in Minnesota. The Recipe for Story Workshop, on Thursday, May 13, examined the guidelines for telling stories to people with memory loss and how this experience increases understanding of the art of storytelling.

Richard will also shared a story during the festival, at the Comfort Stories session on Saturday, May 15.

2020 National Storytelling Network North Central Region Tellabration^TM Open House!

Let’s share stories from across the North Central Region on Sunday, November 15 from 12:00-8:00 pm CST (1:00-9:00 pm EST). This is an Open House, so feel free to drop in for any or all of it. Minnesota tellers will be on from 3:00-4:00 pm CST (4:00-5:00 pm EST). The MN teller lineup will be: Howard Lieberman, Laura Packer, Loren Niemi, Richard Rousseau.

Story Club - July 16, 2020 - @ 7:00 p.m.

Story Club Minneapolis is a live monthly storytelling show featuring both an open mic segment and a curated set of performers from all over the Twin Cities arts scene and beyond. Story Club showcases true, autobiographical stories -- especially stories that are bold, vulnerable, unexpected, and connected to the complexity of our cultural environment. No two Story Club evenings are ever alike, but each month when we wrap up the show, we feel like we’ve witnessed a new, unique little community coming together. 

In the wake of the Coronavirus, Story Club Minneapolis turned their July and August shows into online streaming productions via Zoom.us. There were FIVE phenomenal narrative artists from all across North America, coming together in one special evening that we thought was a pretty bright spot in an otherwise trying time.

Host Amy Salloway, Richard Rousseau, Jodie Maruska, Amanda Rountree, Shana Russell, and the actual FOUNDER of Story Club herself, Dana Norris!

2019-2020 Coffee Bené Storytelling Series

This monthly series featuring Richard Rousseau and guest tellers at Coffee Bené was back for a fifth season! Performances were offered for free on the first Friday of each month from November 2019 through April 2020. Stories started at 6:45 p.m. and end by 7:45 p.m.

The installments of the 2019 – 2020 First Friday Series featured:  Sue Searing, Ward Rubrecht, Loren Niemi, Jessica Zuehlke, Erica Christ, Tom Cassidy, Noel LaBine, Amy Salloway, Howard Lieberman and Laura Packer.

Coffee Bene is located at 53 Cleveland Ave S in St. Paul (next to DaVanni's and across from St. Thomas University). Off street parking is available for early customers.

We hope to continue the series next year, so be sure to check back for future updates!

The Great American Story Contest: Sept 28, 2019

The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council sponsored the fourth annual Great American Story contest for oral storytellers. As has become the tradition, Richard Rousseau emceed and entertained with stories of his own as the contest ballots were counted.

Event information at http://www.thegreatamericanstory.org/media/

Show & Tell - a benefit for Tellabration 2019

Saturday, September 14 was the benefit for Tellabration 2019!

"Show & Tell" - an evening of traditional narratives, cautionary tales, unexpected subplots, word juggling, and the sheer joy power of storytelling. Also, there was a silent auction and raffle! The performers were: Barbara Schutzgruber, Rose McGee, Richard Rousseau, Pam Schweitzer and Ted King.

All proceeds raised at Show & Tell will be used for Tellabration costs, so Tellabration (November 30th) can be offered for free!

Sponsored by: Cheap Theatre, National Storytelling Network, Northlands Storytelling Network and Story Arts of Minnesota.

Richard Recieves Oracle Storyelling Award

2018-2019 Coffee Bené Storytelling Series

The monthly series featuring Richard Rousseau and guest tellers was back for a fourth year at Coffee Bené! It ran on the first Friday of each month from November 2018 through April 2019.

We have been asked back to bring Storytelling to Coffee Bené next year! So we hope to see you next year for a relaxing warm, comfortable environment, good food and beverages, and experience some of the best storytelling you are likely to find anywhere.

Minnesota TELLABRATION!™ 2018

 

Tellabration!, an annual event promoted by The National Storytelling Network and hosted in over 300 venues around the world, was celebrated in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, November 24, 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S.

 

The day-long event featured a dozen panel discussions, classes, and workshops that explore a wide-range of topics about storytelling, narrative techniques in other disciplines (e.g. film, podcasts, poetry), and how to craft, promote, and refine stories for audiences and print. Topics included: Storycrafting, Creating and Hosting a Spoken Word Series (with five veteran hosts), Growing a Social Media Presence, and Smart Micro-Publishing That Makes the Effort Worth It.

 

The event concluded with an evening concert in the Target Performance Hall featuring the donated talents of Kevin Kling, Tom Cassidy, Erica Christ, Dorothy Cleveland, Loren Niemi, Laura Packer, Richard Rousseau, Sue Searing, and Jim Stowell.

 

Three of the region’s story organizations—Cheap Theatre, Northlands Storytelling Network, and Story Arts of Minnesota—combined efforts to produce this engaging showcase of spoken word expertise and talent as part of Tellabration!’s international reach.

 

For additional details visit about last year's event and what is planned for 2019 visit: www.tellabrationmn.org.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Ca$h a Storytelling Show

The September Cheap Theatre Show was Saturday, the 15th a one night only storytelling show on the theme Ca$h.

The performers included Christy Marie Kent, Howard Lieberman, Wayne Nelsen, Laura Packer, Richard Rousseau, and Scott Vetsch. The show was hosted by Erica Christ.

For information about future Cheap Theatre events follow the link to their Facebook page below:

StoryArts' biggest event of the year "Storytelling for Changing Times: A Storytelling Festival." was September 15.

A full day of workshops, performances, open mics and story swaps, with a fantastic closing concert.

Richard Rousseau performed at the 3:00-3:50 Concert, Peace stories with host Larry Johnson.

The Liar's Game - School Daze

The September edition of the Liar's Game celebrated back to "School Daze" when you were the new teacher in the staff lounge, the new kid in class, the guy who blew up the chemistry lab or the one with a crush on the teacher - whatever made education a dizzy whirl of aspirations, accidents and emotions. 

Tellers Gwyn Calvetti, Brenda Bell Brown, and Richard Rousseau took on the truth and fibbing while the audience fretted about who was cheating on the quiz. Howard Lieberman hosted the performances at the 318 Cafe on Wednesday night, the 12th in Excelsior and Thursday night, the 13th at the Forest Music Cafe in St. Paul. 

Cheap Theatre Presented: Strain a Storytelling Show

On Saturday, June 16th Cheap Theatre presented a one night only storytelling event on the theme "Strain". A line up of writers, storytellers, animators, and poets tackled the theme for a fun night of live performance.

The performers included Heidi Arneson, Tony Hauser, Tom Cassidy, Tom Christ, Richard Rousseau and Ward Rubrecht. The show was hosted by Erica Christ.

Show & Tell: A TELLABRATION! 2018 Fundraiser

 

TELLABRATION! 2018 will return to The Open Book on November 24, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. SAM member Richard Rousseau has reserved the space for the day and will be heading the Tellabration! Committee responsible for it's implementation.

 

Cheap Theater volunteered to host a fundraising event on April 7.  All money raised at the event was applied to Tellabration! costs.

 

"Show & Tell" - an evening of traditional narratives, cautionary tales, unexpected turns, and the sheer joy power of storytelling.

Coffee Bené 2017-2018 Storytelling Series

The monthly series featuring Richard Rousseau and guest tellers was back for a third year at Coffee Bené! It ran on the first Friday of each month from October 2017 through April 2018.

The 2017-2018 series kicked off in October with guests Jessica Zuehlke and Tom Cassidy, November was Erica Christ and Jim Stowell, in December he had Danny Klecko and Dorothy Cleveland, January was Ward Rubrecht and Sue Searing, February Loren Niemi and Paula Reed Nancarrow, in March he was joined by Laura Packer and Amy Salloway, and for the final show of the 2017-2018 series in April he was joined by Beverly Cottman and Debra Ting.

We have been asked back to bring Storytelling to Coffee Bené next year! So we hope to see you next year for a relaxing warm, comfortable environment, good food and beverages, and experience some of the best storytelling you are likely to find anywhere.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Puzzle a Storytelling Show

On Saturday, February 17th Cheap Theatre hosted a one night only storytelling event on the theme "Puzzle". A line up of writers, storytellers, animators, and poets put the pieces together for a fun night of live performance. The performers included Tom Christ, Wayne Nelsen, Loren Niemi, Richard Rousseau and Jim Stowell. The show was hosted by Erica Christ.

An "Eventually" Christmas

Richard Rousseau once again performed in An "Eventually" Christmas at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, Friday, December 15 - Sunday, December 17, 2017.

This unique play takes place in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride which features Richard Rousseau as "The Ghost of Mill City Past" the host of an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. Scenes unfold on different floors where the audience meets characters drawn from the pages of the company's employee newspaper, the Eventually News. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually—Why Not Now?"
 

If you were not able to make it to this twin cities Christmas standard in 2017 start making plans for 2018!

Engineering the Falls Walking Tour

Take a walking tour of St. Anthony Falls led by Richard Rousseau as William de la Barre, the Austrian engineer who spent half a century developing Minneapolis flour milling and waterpower. Visit the Minneapolis riverfront, the west side milling district and the Stone Arch Bridge, and hear about the many ways the falls have changed over the years.

This tour includes about 1.5 miles of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility.

We will keep you posted on future tour dates!

Tales of the Falls, a Storytelling Tour

The story of the Minneapolis riverfront came alive in this unique program led by master storyteller Richard Rousseau. Rousseau spun three tales that weave the history of St. Anthony Falls with the expectations of the present in three different historic spaces within Mill City Museum. Between stories, participants learned about the Washburn A Mill, the home of Mill City Museum.

If you missed it watch this website or Mill City Museum's for future tour dates.

Coffee Bené 2016-2017 Storytelling Series

This monthly series has featured Richard Rousseau, a guest teller, and has run from October 2016 through April 2017. Richard was joined this season by Ann Reay, Jim Stowell, Jessica Zuehlke, Loren Niemi, Dorothy Cleveland, Amy Salloway, Carol McCormick, Erica Christ, Ward Rubrecht, Tom Cassidy and Mike Finley.

Coffee Bene is located at 53 Cleveland Ave S in St. Paul (next to DaVanni's and across from St. Thomas University). Off street parking is available for early customers.

We hope to see you next year for a relaxing warm, comfortable environment, good food and beverages, and experience some of the best storytelling you are likely to find anywhere.

Master Storytelling Series at Farm by the Lake

The Wreckage of Love

An "Eventually" Christmas

Richard Rousseau once again performed in An "Eventually" Christmas at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, Thursday, December 15 - Saturday, December 17, 2016.

This unique play takes place in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride which features Richard Rousseau as "The Ghost of Mill City Past" the host of an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. Scenes unfold on different floors where the audience meets characters drawn from the pages of the company's employee newspaper, the Eventually News. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually—Why Not Now?"

Cheap Theatre Presented: Runner up a Storytelling Show

On Saturday, November 19th Join Cheap Theatre hosted a one night only storytelling event on the theme "Runner Up". A competitive line up of writers, storytellers, animators, and poets delivered their take on the theme for a fun night of live performance.

Performers included Josette Antomarchi, Tom Cassidy, Wonder Dave, Wayne Nelsen, Mary Jo Pehl and Richard Rousseau. Show was hosted by Erica Christ.

Fall Fling at the Savage Library

Richard performed an hour of story at an afternoon of arts, entertainment, and history presented by the Savage Library on Saturday, November 5th! 

The Savage Library partnered with the Savage Arts and Cultural Center, Dan Patch Historical Society, and the Senior Club to highlight and share the resources housed within the library and the library annex.

A Starlight Barn Raising

Richard Rousseau preformed at the 2016 Starlight Barn Raising presented by the State Grange of Minnesota and Maplewood Area Historical Society on Thursday, September 29th from 7:30pm - 10:30pm.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Plateau, a Storytelling Show

On Saturday, September 17 at 7:30pm Cheap Theatre presented a one-night-only storytelling show on the theme of Plateau. Performers each spun a story on the theme.

Artists included Patrick DuPaul, Diane Knutson, Noel Labine, Paula Nancarrow, Ann Reay, Richard Rousseau and the show was hosted by Erica Christ.

Engineering the Falls Tour

Richard Rousseau led a walking tour of St. Anthony Falls as William de la Barre, the Austrian engineer who spent half a century developing Minneapolis flour milling and waterpower and hear about the many ways the falls have changed over the years. The tour was along the Minneapolis riverfront, the west-side milling district and at the Stone Arch Bridge.

Look for this tour again during the summer of 2018 at the Mill City Museum.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Arcade, a Storytelling Show

On Saturday, June 18 Cheap Theatre presented a one night only storytelling show on the theme Arcade. It was all fun and games with featured performers Josette Antomarchi, Heidi Arneson, George Farrah, Howard Lieberman, Wayne Nelsen, Richard Rousseau, and Ward Rubrecht. As usual the show was hosted by Erica Christ.

Northern Spark 2016: Mill CIty Museum

Richard Rousseau performed again at the Mill City Museum during Northern Spark, the annual all night art festival in Minneapolis. This year he portrayed William de la Barre, the Austrian engineer who spent half a century developing Minneapolis waterpower and milling.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Launch, a Storytelling Show

On Staurday, May 21st a one-night-only storytelling show was presented on the theme Launch. Six performers were ready to blast off with stories, poems and essays, including Tom Cassidy, Loren Niemi, Richard Rousseau, Christopher Title, and Leif Wallin. As always the show is hosted by Erica Christ.

StoryFest 2016: Evening Concert!

This year's Minnesota Festival of Storytelling, StoryFest 2016, on Saturday, April 9th was the 16th year of storytelling, poetry, comedy, spoken word, and more provided by StoryArts of MN.

The evening concert was hosted by Chris Lear and featuring performances from Story Arts' own monthly series PROMPT: stories based on, inspired by, or tangentially related to classic works. Those tellers included Javier Morillo, Richard Rousseau, Maggie Ryan Sandford, and Christy Marie Kent. WIth special guests Pam Colby and Ifrah Manousr. 

Coffee Bené 2015-2016 Storytelling Series

Tales From Another Stage's annual storytelling series moved across the river to Saint Paul after a successful three year run at the Anodyne Café in Minneapolis to Coffee Bené. Even with that change this series continued to feature storytelling by some of the area's’ best tellers in an informal atmosphere. Rousseau complimented his offering with invited guest tellers; Jim Stowell in October, Tom Cassidy in November, Amy Salloway in December, Dorothy Cleveland and Ann Reay in February, Ward Rubrecht in March and Erica Christ in April.

The series was offered on the first Friday of the month with the first four shows in October 2015 through December 2015 and February 2016 through April 2016. 

Look for more details in the fall of 2016 about the next Winter Storytelling series.

Cheap Theatre Presents: "Strike" A Storytelling Show

On Saturday, March 19th, 2016 Cheap Theatre presented a storytelling show on the theme, Strike. Eight performers tackled the theme in prose, poetry, film and story. No turkeys here! The performers included Joseph Bozic, Mike Finley, Danny Klecko, Wayne Nelsen, Richard Rousseau, Ward Rubrecht, and Jessica Zuelke. Show was hosted by Erica Christ.

Cheap Theatre Presented: "Pass" A Storytelling Show

Saturday, February 20th, 2016 Cheap Theatre presented a storytelling show on the theme of "Pass". The performers included Josette Antomarchi, Tom Cassidy, Mahmoud Hakima, Loren Niemi, Ann Reay, and Richard Rousseau. With the show hosted by Erica Christ.

An "Eventually" Christmas

Richard Rousseau once again performed in An "Eventually" Christmas at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, Thursday, December 17 - Saturday, December 19, 2015.

This unique play takes place in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride which features Richard Rousseau as "The Ghost of Mill City Past" the host of an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. Scenes unfold on different floors where the audience meets characters drawn from the pages of the company's employee newspaper, the Eventually News. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually—Why Not Now?"

Cheap Theatre Presented: "Special" A Storytelling Show

On Saturday, November 21th, 2015 Cheap Theatre presented a storytelling show on the theme of "Special". The six performers were Heidi Arneson, Wanda Brown & Phyllis Goldin, Loren Neimi, Mary Jo Pehl, and Richard Rousseau. With the show hosted by Erica Christ.

PROMPT: Where Was God? (The Book of Job)
 

The PROMPT storytelling series features stories based on, inspired by, or tangentially related to classic works. November’s show was prompted by the Book of Job. It was hosted by Sam Ferree, and featured Larry Johnson, Chris Lear, Paula Reed Nancarrow, and Richard Rousseau!

MN Twin Cities Tellabration!™ 2015

Cheap Theatre Presented: "Terminal" A Storytelling Show

On Saturday, October 17th, 2015 Cheap Theatre presented a storytelling show on the theme of "Terminal". The six performers were Tom Cassidy, Tom Christ, Phillip Andrew Bennet Low, Richard Rousseau, Ward Rubrecht, Cole "Inky" Sarar. With the show was hosted by Erica Christ in the Rainbow Chinese Restaurant party room.

Cheap Theatre Presents: "Frame" A Storytelling Show

On Saturday, September 19, 2015 Cheap Theatre presented a one night only storytelling show on the theme Frame. The seven performers were Alex Cleberg, Charley Fowler, Christy Marie Kent, Noel Labine, Paula Nancarrow and Richard Rousseau. With the show hosted by Erica Christ. 

Cheap Theatre Presented: "Fix" A Storytelling Show

On Saturday, June 20, 2015 Cheap Theatre presented "Fix" a storytelling show. The performers included Heidi Arneson, Mike Finley, Danny Klecko, Loren Niemi, Mary Jo Pehl, and Richard Rousseau. As always it was hosted by Erica Christ.

Northern Spark at Mill City Museum

As a partner in the Minneapolis Northern Spark all night festival, Mill City was open to the public and supplying entertainment, including master storyteller Richard Rousseau Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 9:00pm to 12:00am. If you would like more information about this event follow the Nothern Spark website below.

Northern Spark Website

Northlands Storytelling Network Confabulation

During the weekend of April 24 - 26 Richard performed at the 2015 annual Northlands Storytelling conference in Lake Geneva, WI during both the Friday Evening concert and at a Saturday night Fringe.

Confabulation Information 

Storyfest 2015 - Evening Concert

Story Arts of MN in coordination with Cheap Theatre produced StoryFest 2015’s evening concert, April 18, 2015 at the Black Forest Inn on the theme of "Last Word". The performers were Tom Cassidy, Dorothy Cleveland, Christy Marie Kent, Richard Rousseau and Ward Rubrecht. Curated and hosted by Erica Christ.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Next Exit, A Storytelling Show

Join Cheap Theatre on Saturday, March 21, 2015 explored the topic of "Next Exit" with tales of roadside attractions, car trouble and unknown destinations. Featuring Performers Mike Finley, Danny Klecko, Mary Jo Pehl and Richard Rousseau. Films by Wayne Nelson. Hosted by Erica Christ.

Cheap Theatre Presented: Close Shave, A Storytelling Show

Cheap Theatre on Saturday, February 21, 2015 hosted six storytellers as they presented their harrowing or hairy tales of a "close shave". Performers were Heidi Arneson, Tom Cassidy, Thomas SE Christ, Richard Rousseau, Leif Wallin and Jessica Zuehlke. The show was hosted by Erica Christ.