- commutator (noun):
a device
for reversing
the direction
of
an
electric
current
a device
for reversing
the direction
of
an
electric
current
- commutative (adjective):
a mathematical operation
such as addition
or multiplication
in which
the result does not depend
on the order
of the elements
a mathematical operation
such as addition
or multiplication
in which
the result does not depend
on the order
of the elements
+ x + x + x + x + x + x + x + x + x +
Commutator Collective is an interdisciplinary group of artists, writers, theatre people, musicians, and filmmakers working in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
It’s here to connect more people to more art.
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UPCOMING PROJECTS
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Our Work
(so far)
DETECTIVE CHUNK, THE MULTIVERSE, AND ME (2024)
a play with puppets
LOVE, ROBOTS, HOUSEPETS, EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS, AND LOTS OF PUPPETS
YouBone phenomenon Detective Chunk is trying to find out who murdered their Mommy. The only evidence is a jar of goop, their Neighbor Pip (suspicious), and a very specific drawing of an alien abduction from 1987 that Sigourney Weaver (their camerawoman, a cat) found in the exact spot where Mommy was murdered. Coincidence?
Detective Chunk, The Multiverse, and Me was a first-ever Commutator Collective re-mount. First presented in 2021, the 2024 production featured an updated script, expanded scenic and lighting design, and - most importantly - over nineteen puppets that were incorporated into the show. It was presented over four nights at In The Heart of the Beast in South Minneapolis. See the show page for full cast+crew credits and more details.
PURIM 5784
A CIVIC GATHERING OF SHUSHANIANS
featuring a crowdsourced performance of
“A VERY MAYORAL PURIM SPIEL”
by Marge Buckley
and some Bing Crosby tunes from
Hegai the Eunuch
WOMAN vs. WACHINE
WE TRAINED AN AI ON MARGE.
WE USED IT TO WRITE SOME TERRIBLE NEW PLAYS.
An evening of dwelling on the horrors, hopes, humor, and headaches of large language model-assisted artmaking (but mostly the horrors).
Performed by human audience members who were directed in real-time by
Sasha Blinnokva.
KJed by Rosie Tabachnick, with technical know-how delivered by Asher Weisberg. Non-AI refreshments generated by Sam Weisberg.
Written by Marge Buckley and conceptulized by all of the above listed, with the help of the WACHINE.
WOMAN VS. WACHINE was presented in December, 2023 at ACRYLICS. It ran for one-night only and the content generated for it should probably not be shown again.
PURIM 5783
A PURIM CELEBRATION WITH HEGAI THE EUNUCH
featuring a crowdsourced performance of
“HAMAN PICKS A DATE”
by Marge Buckley
and some Edith Piaf tunes from Hegai the Eunuch
GRAINVILLE CEREALS, INC.
A PLAY ABOUT
PAID TIME-OFF, BREAKFAST CEREAL, AND POLYCULES.
We know how important a wholesome breakfast is. Our cereals contain 100% whole calories so that you can rely on us. With fiber, vegetable nutrients, and the love of our factory workers, every bowl of Grainville cereal is jam-packed with goodness. Taste the difference with a Grainville product, available at a national grocery chain “near” you.
Written by Marge Buckley
Directed by Sam Weisberg
Songs by Peter Vitale
Sound Design by Asher Weisberg
Properties by Nat Young
Set Design by Arlo Ione Sombor
Puppet by Ray Gorlin & Megan Creasey
Cereal Boxes by London Johnson
Movement Co-ordination by Artemis Brown
Stage Management by Cat Johnson
Featuring the acting talents of: Sasha Blinnikova, Artemis Brown, Marge Buckley, Megan Creasey, Athena Geer, Brennen Ohlemann, Rosie Tabachnick, Allison Young.
Grainville Cereals, Incorporated is an original play that was produced in the fall of 2022. It ran for 10 performances at ACRYLICS in North Minneapolis.
Don’t miss the Official Grainville Website.
40/60: “TODAY IS A GIFT, AND THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE PRESENT”
40 MINUTES OF ART /
60 MINUTES OF DANCING
+ A TOUR THROUGH THE ARCHIVES OF GRAINVILLE CEREALS, INC.
feat. DJ SOULSQUAD
hosted by
Grace & Junior (Conference & Events Planning)
with acting by
Rosie Tabachnick (on her 250th birthday)
Mark (Marketing Manager)
Susan (Manager of Marketing)
40/60: TODAY IS A GIFT was hosted at ACRYLICS in June, 2022. See more about it here.
40/60: PURIM 5782
40 MINUTES OF ART /
60 MINUTES OF DANCING
+ A PURIM CELEBRATION WITH HEGAI THE EUNUCH
featuring a crowdsourced performance of “HAMAN PICKS A DATE”
written by Marge Buckley
+ additional programming/acting by
Makai Dorfman
Riv Shapiro
Rosie Tabachnick
Asher Weisberg
Sam Weisberg
40/60: PURIM 5782 was celebrated on Purim of 5782 (March 2022) at ACRYLICS. All proceeds were donated to Jewish Community Action.
JESUS LOVES US
(AS WE KNOW)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE STUCK IN A CABIN, WITH COVID, IN A SNOWSTORM
Featuring
Sam Weisberg
Asher Weisberg
and Jesus
Produced in a snowstorm, in 2022, in Two Harbors, MN.
Winner of Scream It Off Screen’s July 2022 Showcase!
DETECTIVE CHUNK, THE MULTIVERSE, AND ME
in collaboration with Virginia Twins
A PLAY ABOUT LOVE, ROBOTS, HOUSEPETS, AND GOOP.
YouBone phenomenon Detective Chunk is trying to find out who murdered their Mommy. The only evidence is a jar of goop, their Neighbor Pip (suspicious), and a very specific drawing of an alien abduction from 1987 that Sigourney Weaver (their camerawoman—a cat) found in the exact spot where Mommy was murdered. Coincidence?
Written by Marge Buckley
Directed by Rosie Tabachnick
Sound Design by Rachel Anne Brees
Puppet Design by Ray Gorlin
Lighting by Emmet Kowler
Original Music by Isaac Price-Slade
Facilities by Asher Weisberg
Featuring the acting talents of:Artemis Brown, Sasha Blinnikova, Ben Capp, Emma Halper, Carey Morton, Sam Weisberg, Sam Wolf
DETECTIVE CHUNK, THE MULTIVERSE, AND ME was produced in the fall of 2021 in co-operation with Virginia Twins. It ran for 6 performances at ACRYLICS in North Minneapolis. You can see the show page here.
NORTH PINE POST
YOUR DAILY-MONTHLY-WEEKLY UPDATE FROM NORTH PINE.
Created collectively. Read the online edition here.
FORBBIDDEN FRUIT(s):
A PROHIBITION EXTRAVAGANZA
Powerpoint by Sam Weisberg
A WINE-CLASS-CUM-THEATRICAL-EXPERIMENT ABOUT PROHIBITION
(AND THE PANSIES WHO THRIVED BECAUSE OF IT)
Lecturing by Sam Weisberg
Script by Marge Buckley
Acting by Marge Buckley & Lahiru Samarasinghe
FORBIDDEN FRUIT(s) was created in the winter of 2020, and was produced during a month-long residency with France 44 Wines & Spirits in March 2020. It ran for one evening as part of France 44’s series of wine education classes.
DOCTOR, DENTIST, VET
OUR GRANDFATHERS, OR SOMETHING; MARKER & COLORED PENCIL
Art by Ray Gorlin
Words by Sam Weisberg
Created in Winter 2020
WHISPERS
a feature film
made in collaboration with M Productions
starring Andy Deluca, Ray Gorlin, Emmet Kowler, Elliot Masters, Maureen O’Malley, Lucy Scherschligt, Asher Weisberg, Sam Weisberg
Created in Winter 2019
PHYLLOXERA!
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Poster by Ray Gorlin
A PLAY ABOUT THE GREAT FRENCH WINE BLIGHT
(YOU KNOW THE ONE)
Two French sisters and their genderqueer sibling face off against flamethrower-wielding German vintners, an amoral American aphid, and a foreign agricultural trade crisis in the greatest showdown of the mid-19th century. Join local wine specialist Solar Champion for an evening of casual theatregoing, heavy drinking, and the history of a canonically-neglected catastrophe.
Conceived by Marge Buckley & Sam Weisberg
Script by Marge Buckley
Animation and Poster Design by Ray Gorlin
Costume Design by Ray Gorlin & Katy Santa Maria
Dramaturgy by Luke Soucy
Sound Design by Asher Weisberg
Featuring the acting talents of:
Marge Buckley, Erik Dagoberg, Bridget McNiff, Maureen O’Malley, Lahiru Samarasinghe, Lucy Scherschligt, Sam Weisberg, Caleb Zarns
PHYLLOXERA! was created in the early summer of 2018 and was produced during a month-long residency at the Bryant-Lake Bowl. It ran for two weekends in September 2018 and was the inaugural production of Commutator Collective. You can read the script on the New Play Exchange, or you can email us for a copy.
Talk to us we are friendly
For information about upcoming activites, or if you just want to chat, please email us at commutatorcollective@gmail.com
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