A central thesis of the Bedlam mission is blending professional and community art in a redefining way. 

We engage the community in the creation of boundary-pushing performing arts as audience, participants, and lead artists.BEDLAM PROGRAMS:

The Annual Bedlam Community Ten-Minute Play Festival.  Free workshops in the winter on playwrighting and collaborative creation kick off the 10-Fest season.  After selecting scripts, proposals, and directors, we endeavor to cast everyone who auditions. The 10-fest has not only introduced us to new performers, creators and audiences over the years… it’s also given birth to a good number of our Bedlam studio and feature productions.

The Bedlam ROMP:  This semi-monthly cabaret has been a staple since 1998.  It’s a chance for artists to try out new work, community members to try out new talents, ideas to turn into action, and a fantastic party every time. 

The Cedar/Riverside Drama Club for Youth:  since 2005 Bedlam has been learning how to effectively use theater to engage neighborhood youth.  In 2007, we began a year-round theater program in partnership with the Brian Coyle Community Center… the Cedar/Riverside Drama Club for Youth.  Serving ages 8-18, the Drama Club helps youth express their individuality at community gatherings and special events throughout the year. 

BEDLAM PARTNERS:

The Grease Pit Bike Shop is a volunteer organization housed within Bedlam theatre since 1998.  The Grease Pit collective donates their time, assembling tools, organizing, giving advice,  to create a community space to create or improve your bicycle.

Barebones Productions is a non-profit arts group focused on puppets & pageantry, producing events year-round, hosting workshops, traveling to schools and groups.  Barebones most prominent output is the annual Halloween Show.  Bedlam’s hosted the "build" for the Halloween Show since 1996.  In September and October, well over 100 community volunteers and lead artists work together to create the storyboard and majestic cardboard creations that become the annual outdoor extravaganza, performed in city parks in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Meanwhile, we’ve got long-term relationships with all kinds of artists and companies, performing regularly at our venue, and roping Bedlam artists into far-flung adventures across town… and beyond.  We also work closely with other West Bank arts organizations, businesses and community groups, as well as Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota, to keep MInneapolis’ most exciting neighborhood thriving and accessible to all.