Formerly TALC- Theater Artist Leader Coalition
MNTAC ADMIN CIRCLE LEADERS
MNTAC STARTED AS A CONVERSATION ABOUT ADDRESSING SEXUAL HARM AND EXPANDED TO ADDRESS A VARIETY OF NEEDS FOR SAFETY IN THE WORLD OF THEATER. THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE DEDICATED MUCH OF THEIR TIME TO THE EFFORTS AND CONTINUE TO USE THEIR VOICES AND TALENTS TO ENSURE THAT MN-TAC ACCOMPLISHES WHAT WE HAVE SET OUT TO DO.
LAURA STEARNS (SHE/HER) ACTOR / WRITER/ WIG MAKER/ MOTHER / SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVIVOR / DOG LOVER
Laura has worked in theater production in the twin cities, both on and off stage, for more than 35 years. A survivor of childhood sexual assault at the Children's Theatre Company back in the 1980's, Laura filed suit against CTC in 2015 for its part in the negligence of countless children being abused there in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, by more than thirty perpetrators. She now spends much of her time bringing awareness to the issues of sexual harm in the arts, and is writing a book about her experience with the legal system and how she has moved from survivor to thriver. To learn more about Laura's work and read her blog, please visit
ELENA GIANNETTI (SHE/HER) / DIRECTOR / ACTOR
Elena has been an actor since the age of 6. Her professional acting credits over the course of 30 years include film & TV plus many Twin Cities theaters, including the Guthrie, History Theater, Mixed Blood and others. In 2010 she expanded her theater work to include directing and producing, and in 2016 she co-founded PRIME Productions, a professional theater company that focused on mature women’s stories. She has a BA in Dramatic Arts from Macalester College, and has studied in both NY and LA. Having experienced sexual harassment of various forms throughout her career, she knows the courage it takes speak out against it. Today her work is focused on directing plays that explore our common humanity and putting time into arts organizing, to ensure that our creative spaces are inclusive and safe for everyone and that all voices are heard and valued.
ERIC "POGI" SUMANGIL (HE/HIM/SIYA) ACTOR/WRITER/DIRECTOR/PART-TIME HAND MODEL
EDITING GROUP
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE HANDS ON WORK TO IMPLEMENT THE REQUESTS OF THE COMMUNITY INTO THE DOCUMENT
Pogi believes strongly in the power of 90s R&B and a good burger. He is a 20 year veteran of Twin Cities stages, and works locally in on-camera commercials and industrials in addition to being a playwright, director, and writer. For 6 years, he was a presenter/educator with Catharsis Productions, where he worked mainly with military populations leading a SHARP/SAPR training called Sex Signals, an award winning program that uses a humor-facilitated approach to examining sex, culture, consent, and bystander intervention. Having experienced abuse both personally and professionally, Pogi believes sunshine is the best disinfectant and stands with others who have had similar experiences. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and sees his Union membership as a connection to his Pilipino American roots. He is a two-time recipient of the Playwrights’ Center’s Many Voices Fellowship, a Dramatists Guild Regional Rep, a co-founder of the Unit Collective, and the self-produces under the name Barkada Theater.
MARIA ASP (SHE/HER) / FORMER DIRECTOR OF BRIDGES PROGRAM / ACTOR
Maria Asp was with The Children’s Theatre Company’s Neighborhood Bridges program since its beginning and served as the Program Director. As an actor she has appeared in 23 productions with FRANK THEATRE including The Cradle Will Rock, and The Love song of J. Robert Oppenheimer. She is also a teaching artist with Frank Theatre and On Stage. Maria is a musician and performer with the Speaking Out Collective. She is also an Arts Organizer and is part of the Million Artist Movement. She is grateful to be working and organizing with MN-TAC.
MARIA ASP (She/Her/Hers) ACTOR/EDUCATOR
JENNY R. FRIEND (She/Her/Hers) STAGE MANAGER (CTC PSM)/MOTHER/PADDLER OF CANOES
MOLLY FOX (She/Her/They/Them) WARDROBE TECHNICIAN
AIDAN GALLIVAN (She/Her) STAGE MANAGER
ELENA GIANNETTI (She/Her) DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
KATHY KOHL (She/Her) COSTUME DESIGNER
SHELLI PLACE (She/Her) DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
LAURA STEARNS (She/Her) ACTOR/WRITER/DESIGNER/CHEESE LOVER
MAX WOJTANOWICZ (He/Him) ACTOR
JAMES GRACE (He/Him) EDUCATOR/INTIMACY DIRECTOR
POGI SUMANGIL (He/Him/Siya) ACTOR/WRITER/DIRECTOR/PART-TIME HAND MODEL
VERY SPECIAL THANKS: YVONNE COURNOYER / SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION SPECIALIST
ADDITIONAL THANKS IN FURTHERING THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS:
YVONNE COURNOYER- ADVOCATE
MICHAEL JON PEASE- PARK SQUARE THEATER
CORDELIA ANDERSON- SV CONSULTANT
JEFFERY HATCHER- PLAYWRIGHT
MARCELA LORCA- 10,000 THINGS
REBECCA NOON- GUTHRIE COMM. ENGAGEMENT DIR
KAREN MUELLER - HISTORY THEATER
RON PELUSO- HISTORY THEATER
SHÁ CAGE- ACTOR / DIRECTOR
SUN MEE CHOMET- ACTOR
WENDY KNOX- FRANK THEATER
CHRISTINA BALDWIN- JUNGLE THEATER
JOANNA SCHNEDLER- MN THEATER ALLIANCE
WU CHEN KHOO- TECH TOOLS OF THE TRADE
BONNIE MORRIS- ILLUSION THEATER
MICHAEL ROBINS- ILLUSION THEATER
JEREMY COHEN- PLAYWRIGHTS CENTER
HAYLEY FINN- PLAYWRIGHTS CENTER
BARBARA BROOKS- MN JEWISH THEATER
PETER ROTHSTEIN- THEATER LATTE DA
RICARDO LEVINS MORALES- ARTIST- ACTIVIST
NELL PIERCE- TEACHER / COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
MOLLY GLASGOW- COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
VOLUNTEERS WHO GO THE EXTRA MILE: YOU ALL ROCK OUR WORLD
RICARDO BEAIRD- ACTIVIST/ THEATER MAKER
DAISUKE KAWACHI- TECH WIZARD / THEATER MAKER
DOUG SCHOLZ CARLSON- THEATER MAKER/ IDI COACH
SHANAN CUSTER- THEATER MAKER/ EDUCATOR
AARON FISKRADATZ- TEACHING ARTIST/TECH GURU
CATHERINE CAMPBELL (She/Her) PRODUCTION MANAGER
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SPECIAL THANKS TO YVONNE FOR HER SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE IN THE FRIST STAGES OF TALC'S FORMATION, FOR HER EXPERTISE IN THE WORLD OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE (SV) PREVENTION, AND FOR HER EXCELLENT NOTE TAKING SKILLS: Yvonne Cournoyer has provided training and leadership in sexual violence prevention since 2002 both through the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault and at Stop It Now!, a national child sexual abuse prevention organization. Highlights of her work include working with the Legislature to create the first ever State funding for the primary prevention of sexual violence and successful passage of extensive legislation to improve sexual violence prevention policies and practices in colleges and universities. At Stop It Now! she developed the first ever research based social marketing campaign targeting adults concerned about their own sexualized thoughts and behaviors towards children.