Press

ADDITIONAL PRESS

"What sticks with people are stories, not policies,” said co-founder Tane Danger. “So we reframe political conversations into narrative.”"

- Exploring Issues with Improv, the Theater of Public Policy is Seriously Funny | Star Tribune

"Both men refuse to accept the often bandied about wisdom that Millennials are politically disengaged or that their participation in the political process is capricious at best. Young people want to be engaged on their own terms, Boat argues."

- Move Over Stewart and Colbert: Meet the Millennial Duo Mining Public Policy for Laughs | Forbes

"A sense of humor can help make sense of it all."

- Theater of Public Policy Mixes Comedy, Politics | WCCO News

"It is both difficult and necessary to have events like the Theater of Public Policy. There aren’t a ton of resources that break down policy for laypeople that those laypeople will show up to. Furthermore, laughter is absolutely critical for navigating difficult things and times. Finding a balance between the two is challenging, but this group does a stellar job."

- Policy and Laughter Blend Beautifully with The Theater of Public Policy | The Column

"In between her conversation with Danger, improv actors performed skits about being kicked out of Uptown after turning 30 and having to buy a home there to be allowed to vote. Of course, there were plenty of goat noises, in a dig at the movement to legalize hoofed animals within city limits."

- City Council draws laughs at improv show with Lisa Bender | Star Tribune

“Even though we talk about public policy as being dry or dense, it’s actually just stories of how we decided to organize ourselves as a community,”

- Theater of Public Policy Creates Improv with Insight | Twin Cities Pioneer Press

"One of things we didn’t expect when we started the show, and tonight will probably be a good example of it, is that science-related topics end up being some of the best shows."

- Talk of the Town | Southwest Journal

"A group led by two Gustavus alumni seeks to tackle the tough issues of the day."

- Gustie Alum lead improv group that uses comedy to address policy | St. Peter Herald

“Our goal isn't to change minds but to leave you thinking, 'This issue is more complex than I realized,' Danger said."

- Political Improv Troupe Returning to Gustavus to Kick Off College Tour | The Free Press

"It wasn’t the first time people had gathered in Marshall to talk about rural development. But chances are it was the first time they also sang an improvised musical number about small business loans."

- A Lighter Look at Rural Development | Independent

“I thought it was great” event organizer Jack Rogers said. “I think the audience learned a whole lot about it. Difficult topics, but I think they walked away knowing there are different perspectives.”

- Improv Group Uses Comedy to Break Down Social Barriers | Daily Star Journal

"Afterward, the Theater of Public Policy’s improvisation troupe provided a short interpretation of the talk."

- Improvisation on Social Housing Debates Post-Graduate Living - The Hofstra Chronicle

"If school worked like this, we’d all be a lot smarter in civics and probably happier."

- Theater of Public Policy's fall season lineup; Museum Day Live! | MinnPost

“What’s so powerful about T2P2 is how much fun it is to think about hard topics while laughing,” she added. “The issues stick with you in a different way.”

- "To Fertility and Beyond!" - The Theater of Public Policy Previews Nobel Conference 53 | Gustavus Adolphus

“We usually expect people to come to the theater, but why not bring the theater to them?"

- Impromptu improv to hit St. Paul Aug. 19 | Star Tribne

"Students were engaged with the task of discussing issues in their lives and community with the members of the cast, who then performed improvisational skits based on the discussions."

- Students Laugh and Learn with Improv Group at OHS - MilleLacs Messenger

"This is for people who have had a hard time this election cycle, whether it's reading what's in the news, [or] not being happy with a particular candidate."

- Theater Groups Venture onto the Political Stage | MPR News

"The Theater of Public Policy is a Minneapolis-based improv group with a decidedly D.C. shtick."

- Art Beat with Lauren Landau | WAMU 88.5

“He says being in Congress is like having a front row seat to the best improv show on Earth.”

- Tim Walz Tickled About Appearing with T2P2 | Roll Call

“I just thought it was hilarious, and I was amazed that anyone could do comedy around a subject like climate change.”

- Putting Pizzazz in Public Policy | Minnesota Daily

“People who like to talk about difficult concepts will find it interesting, refreshing"

- Public Policy Meets Improv Theater at Central College | Central College News

"It’s an unlikely, highly entertaining mélange of policy and improv anchored by Tane Danger."

- Republican pundit Richard Painter laments Trump, his party's lack of action on guns | Star Tribune

"After about three dozen debates heavy on public policy and political wonkery, most of the leading candidates for mayor of Minneapolis let their hair down a bit last night in an evening of comedy and political debate"

- The UpTake

"According to Voight, the comedic nature of the show serves as a unique method for exploring a difficult topic, reducing the defensiveness and tension which might arise from traditional debate, and Heldke also praised the group, noting that humor is a “brilliant medium” for communication."

- Is College Worth it? - Gustavian Weekly

"Tane Danger moderated the forum with six candidates at Bryant Lake Bowl, leading on-stage discussions with the aspiring mayors that offered rich material for the improv cast..."

- Mayoral Discussion Features Improv, Laughs and a Superman Costume | Star Tribune

"I've got to recommend that you go to that, because The Theater of Public Policy is very very entertaining."

- Weekend Arts Roundup: Nov. 7, 2013 | The Current

"From Superman costumes to a proposed wall around the city, the mayoral candidates tried their best to get laughs of their own, but the theater’s actors earned the big laughs from the packed house."

- A Funny Twist on the Mayoral Forum | Murphy News Service

"Tane Danger and Brandon Boat, a couple of Twin Cities millennials, are getting some love on the Forbes website today for their Theater of Public Policy, which features a mix of wonky discussion with comedy via improv."

- When the News is a Joke | News Cut

"Wringing any kind of humor out of the staid mayoral forum format could be considered a success — and by that measure, The Theater of Public Policy scored a win..."

- A Funnier Take on an Old Forum | Southwest Journal

"The evening was a bit like having a quirky bunch of friends dinging around in your living room. Super laid-back. But still reasonably well-organized."

- Online Journalism by the Theater of Public Policy | How Was the Show?

"The goal is also to be accessible to both people who are new to the topic and those who are experts. Using humor bridges the gap between the experts and the those with an interest, if not the knowledge, about the issue."

- Theater of Public Policy Merges Politics and Improv | City Pages

"After about three dozen debates heavy on public policy and political wonkery, most of the leading candidates for mayor of Minneapolis let their hair down a bit last night in an evening of comedy and political debate..."

- Bowling for Votes: Improv Night with the Minneapolis Mayoral Candidates | The Uptake

"The show has earned such a reputation for intelligent humor that it's been able to line up some high profile guests."

- Improv, Public Policy, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts | MPR News

"The lack of specific boundaries within the organization allows them to nurture creative connections across departments, building a culture ripe for innovation."

- Improvisers, Educators, Culture Builders | Pollen

"...a charming evening of painless edification and light entertainment..."

- TPT's Cross-Platform Open Air Initiative Aims for a Younger, Arts-Focused Public Television Audience | Knight Arts

"We’re not in the business of making fun of issues or belittling them. We want to use humor to explore debates and ideas. We want to make dense, challenging subjects accessible to a general audience without sacrificing the importance or magnitude of the issue..."

- The Theater of Public Policy Uses Humor to Explore Complex Issues | Twin Cities Daily Plan et

It feels like a very intimate version of a television talk show"

- An Improvised Civics Lesson | Southwest Journal

"What could become Minnesota's answer to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert"

- Lighter Side of Public Policy | StarTribune.com

"...the Theater of Public Policy might provide just the break needed during the ramp up of the 2012 election cycle and will definitely provide a much needed breath of fresh air on these ideas during the bombardment of political commercials streaming into our homes."

- Theater of Public Policy | Leadership and Community

"...we’re seeing countless examples of how this unique arts-oriented approach is a critical piece of the problem-solving puzzle. One of my favorite examples is the Theater of Public Policy..."

- Midwest artists use creativity, conversation and capacity to solve community problems | Bush Foundation

"As far as actor, teacher and improv artist Jen Scott is concerned, anything can be the source of improv comedy. Even, or maybe especially, public policy."

- Improv for Policy Wonks | MPR Art Hounds

"Public policy is all about how we live our lives and create a better future for the next generation. They are questions filled with drama, intrigue and, more often than not, comedy."

- Public policy meets improv? Cue that laugh track! | Bush Foundation

"There’s something really powerful about this idea of the audience being able to engage with politicians and public policy leaders,” he said. “We think what we’re doing is one way to improve the political dialogue in our community.”

- Alumni Using Improv to Engage Citizens | Gustavus Adolphus College

"[Improv] is an unconventional tool, one that can travel to the heart of a policy and bring back a laugh or a kernel of truth."

- Fringecast 2012 | Twin Cities Theater Connection

"...Seeing the way the comedians interpret the information helps both the audience and experts think about certain ideas in a new way..."

- Seriously Funny - Improv Ads Comic Twist to Public Policy | Post Bulletin

"Unlike a late night comedy show, every guest has loved being on and loved the show. "That's why our show works; listening and framing in a different way."

- Theater of Public Policy Combines Big Issues and Improv Comedy | Uptown Neighborhood News

"Mix together young adult professionals, music, markers and crayons, a rapid-wit improv theater troupe, a policy wonk from the Metropolitan Council, and what do you get? An evening of engaged, lively discussion about the future of the seven-county metro region."

- Thrive MSP 2040: Millenials Weigh in on Regional Planning with Fun and Wit | Metropolitan Council

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The Theater of Public Policy

Press

ADDITIONAL PRESS

"What sticks with people are stories, not policies,” said co-founder Tane Danger. “So we reframe political conversations into narrative.”"

"Both men refuse to accept the often bandied about wisdom that Millennials are politically disengaged or that their participation in the political process is capricious at best. Young people want to be engaged on their own terms, Boat argues."

"A sense of humor can help make sense of it all."

"In between her conversation with Danger, improv actors performed skits about being kicked out of Uptown after turning 30 and having to buy a home there to be allowed to vote. Of course, there were plenty of goat noises, in a dig at the movement to legalize hoofed animals within city limits."

“Even though we talk about public policy as being dry or dense, it’s actually just stories of how we decided to organize ourselves as a community,”

"One of things we didn’t expect when we started the show, and tonight will probably be a good example of it, is that science-related topics end up being some of the best shows."

"A group led by two Gustavus alumni seeks to tackle the tough issues of the day."

“Our goal isn't to change minds but to leave you thinking, 'This issue is more complex than I realized,' Danger said."

"It wasn’t the first time people had gathered in Marshall to talk about rural development. But chances are it was the first time they also sang an improvised musical number about small business loans."

“I thought it was great” event organizer Jack Rogers said. “I think the audience learned a whole lot about it. Difficult topics, but I think they walked away knowing there are different perspectives.”

"Afterward, the Theater of Public Policy’s improvisation troupe provided a short interpretation of the talk."

"If school worked like this, we’d all be a lot smarter in civics and probably happier."

“What’s so powerful about T2P2 is how much fun it is to think about hard topics while laughing,” she added. “The issues stick with you in a different way.”

“We usually expect people to come to the theater, but why not bring the theater to them?"

"Students were engaged with the task of discussing issues in their lives and community with the members of the cast, who then performed improvisational skits based on the discussions."

"This is for people who have had a hard time this election cycle, whether it's reading what's in the news, [or] not being happy with a particular candidate."

"The Theater of Public Policy is a Minneapolis-based improv group with a decidedly D.C. shtick."

“He says being in Congress is like having a front row seat to the best improv show on Earth.”

“I just thought it was hilarious, and I was amazed that anyone could do comedy around a subject like climate change.”

“People who like to talk about difficult concepts will find it interesting, refreshing"

"It’s an unlikely, highly entertaining mélange of policy and improv anchored by Tane Danger."

"After about three dozen debates heavy on public policy and political wonkery, most of the leading candidates for mayor of Minneapolis let their hair down a bit last night in an evening of comedy and political debate"

"According to Voight, the comedic nature of the show serves as a unique method for exploring a difficult topic, reducing the defensiveness and tension which might arise from traditional debate, and Heldke also praised the group, noting that humor is a “brilliant medium” for communication."

"Tane Danger moderated the forum with six candidates at Bryant Lake Bowl, leading on-stage discussions with the aspiring mayors that offered rich material for the improv cast..."

"I've got to recommend that you go to that, because The Theater of Public Policy is very very entertaining."

"From Superman costumes to a proposed wall around the city, the mayoral candidates tried their best to get laughs of their own, but the theater’s actors earned the big laughs from the packed house."

"Tane Danger and Brandon Boat, a couple of Twin Cities millennials, are getting some love on the Forbes website today for their Theater of Public Policy, which features a mix of wonky discussion with comedy via improv."

"Wringing any kind of humor out of the staid mayoral forum format could be considered a success — and by that measure, The Theater of Public Policy scored a win..."

"The evening was a bit like having a quirky bunch of friends dinging around in your living room. Super laid-back. But still reasonably well-organized."

"The goal is also to be accessible to both people who are new to the topic and those who are experts. Using humor bridges the gap between the experts and the those with an interest, if not the knowledge, about the issue."

"After about three dozen debates heavy on public policy and political wonkery, most of the leading candidates for mayor of Minneapolis let their hair down a bit last night in an evening of comedy and political debate..."

"The show has earned such a reputation for intelligent humor that it's been able to line up some high profile guests."

"The lack of specific boundaries within the organization allows them to nurture creative connections across departments, building a culture ripe for innovation."

"...a charming evening of painless edification and light entertainment..."

"We’re not in the business of making fun of issues or belittling them. We want to use humor to explore debates and ideas. We want to make dense, challenging subjects accessible to a general audience without sacrificing the importance or magnitude of the issue..."

It feels like a very intimate version of a television talk show"

"What could become Minnesota's answer to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert"

"...the Theater of Public Policy might provide just the break needed during the ramp up of the 2012 election cycle and will definitely provide a much needed breath of fresh air on these ideas during the bombardment of political commercials streaming into our homes."

"...we’re seeing countless examples of how this unique arts-oriented approach is a critical piece of the problem-solving puzzle. One of my favorite examples is the Theater of Public Policy..."

"As far as actor, teacher and improv artist Jen Scott is concerned, anything can be the source of improv comedy. Even, or maybe especially, public policy."

"Public policy is all about how we live our lives and create a better future for the next generation. They are questions filled with drama, intrigue and, more often than not, comedy."

"There’s something really powerful about this idea of the audience being able to engage with politicians and public policy leaders,” he said. “We think what we’re doing is one way to improve the political dialogue in our community.”

"[Improv] is an unconventional tool, one that can travel to the heart of a policy and bring back a laugh or a kernel of truth."

"...Seeing the way the comedians interpret the information helps both the audience and experts think about certain ideas in a new way..."

"Unlike a late night comedy show, every guest has loved being on and loved the show. "That's why our show works; listening and framing in a different way."

"Mix together young adult professionals, music, markers and crayons, a rapid-wit improv theater troupe, a policy wonk from the Metropolitan Council, and what do you get? An evening of engaged, lively discussion about the future of the seven-county metro region."