Tracker Pixel for Entry

A Perfect Match: The Pink Unicorn and Theatre B

Theatre | March 4th, 2020

by Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

High Plains Reader spoke with the Executive Director of Theatre B, Carolyn Wintersteen, and Michael Robins, Director and Artistic Producing Director of Illusion Theatre about bringing the production of "The Pink Unicorn" to Fargo, and the play itself.

HIGH PLAINS READER: Can you tell me a bit about your role with Theatre B?
CAROLYN WINTERSTEEN
: I am a co-founder and the Executive Director of Theatre B. My role has evolved over the years as the organization has grown. Fortunately, I still get to perform, but most of my work is administrative. I write grants, help organize fundraising campaigns, help plan our programming, and generally connect Theatre B to the community at large.

HPR: Is there a special process that goes into bringing an out of town play to this area?
CW: Thank you for asking this question. There are special processes, and we are learning more about them because of this project. Our new venue allows us to host other groups more easily, so we hope to do more if audiences like it. In this particular case, we learned about the touring production from a woman who grew up in Fargo and now lives in the cities and serves on the Board of the Illusion Theater. She knew about Theatre B because her parents are fans, (they were at The Roommate last weekend!). She connected me to Michael Robins, the Executive Producing Director, and during our conversation we realized our missions align and our organizations are similar in many ways. "The Pink Unicorn" is perfect for Theatre B. It's the kind of show we would produce ourselves, so it is nice to present it here on a weekend in our calendar when we would be dark.

HPR: How important is the right audience for a particular production? Does it figure into the selection process?
CW: Yes, we always consider the audience when selecting our productions. It is important for Theatre B to host conversations about pressing current issues, in addition to providing entertainment. We pay attention to local, regional, and national events that have people engaged, concerned, or talking.

"The Pink Unicorn" is a great opportunity to advance the mission of two (or more) organizations at once. I myself have had multiple conversations with my children and their peers about how the language around sexuality has been confining, belittling, and insufficient. Language is a living thing, so it changes, and now is a moment when we are all asked to think differently about words we ascribe to people without their permission. I really hope the play opens up new ideas for everyone who attends, and I am excited to learn from it myself.

HIGH PLAINS READER: Can you tell me about your role with Illusion Theatre?
MICHAEL ROBINS
: I am the Artistic Producing Director and the director of this play. I have personally, and Illusion as a theater, has toured to every corner of Minnesota and when we first did "The Pink Unicorn" it was my goal to bring it on tour, because, even though the main character is a Texan, she rings true to so many of us Minnesotans.

HPR: For those that haven't heard of it, can you summarize "The Pink Unicorn" ?
MR: This is the story of this Mom standing up and becoming an advocate for her daughter against the Church, the School, her own Mother, and all kinds of hate speech. It’s about what a Mom will do for her kids.

"The Pink Unicorn" is an award-winning solo piece. Ivey Award-winning Kate Guentzel plays Trisha, a Christian widow, who must choose sides in her conservative Texas town after her teenage daughter announces she is "gender queer" and starts a chapter of the Gay Straight Alliance at the local high school. With sharp wit and humor, this rich and poetic story explores what it means to be a parent and a community in these changing times.

HPR: What makes the production of this play so special?
MR: The play is inspired by personal events experienced by the playwright, Elise Forier Edie. The “powerful message of this brilliantly wise and inspiring work” (NY Theater Now) has touched audiences across the United States and Canada. After witnessing gay people being shunned and excluded from a local school and church, Edie explained that she began writing "The Pink Unicorn" “in an effort to deal with my anger and fear around these incidents."

What were these people so afraid of? Why would they twist logic and defy reason and even hurt their own children to keep the harmless LGBTQ community from coming out, and enjoying the rights of every other American? And what could I do about it? How could I change it? How could I make a difference?”

This play is what one mother did to bring us into her world and have us go on her journey of discovery and understanding.

HPR: What would you like audiences to know about the play and Illusion Theatre?MR: The Illusion Theater has been developing and bringing new work to the stage for all of our 45 years. We have won numerous awards for that work and for playing a role in giving diverse artists a home. What is so wonderful about "The Pink Unicorn" is that it uses the most basic of theater techniques—pure, direct address storytelling. We are all invited into the story circle by Trisha Lee to learn about her life and as we journey with her, through the ups and downs, the surprises, the heartache and the joy and humor of her life, we are able to see our life and feel like we’ve made a new best friend.

IF YOU GO:
Saturday, Mar.7, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
Sunday, Mar.8, 2 pm-4 pm
Theatre B, 215 10th St. N, Moorhead

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…