About Impact Theory: A Look Back
Impact Theory of Mass Extinction premiered at the Avalon June 16-26, recently concluding its show-run.
Two black, queer, teens discover dinosaur bones in their South Minneapolis neighborhood! After being sucked into a prehistoric portal, they are taken in by a nurturing “queendom” of dinosaurs.
Experience the Avalon theater transformed into a prehistoric landscape. Musicians; puppeteers; and actors will bring our dinosaurs to life.
All performances are either free or pay as able. The market value is $30 per ticket. Masks are required for all audience members. Arrive early to get settled in, show starts at 7:30 pm.
Walk Ups are welcome at the door, a waitlist is available for sold out shows. All ticket sales are final. We cannot change ticket reservation dates at this time.
At the Avalon Theater 1500 East Lake St.
*All Photos by Uche Iroegbu*
Image Description: A photograph shows a stage with shadow puppets depicting two black teens holding hands surrounded by mushrooms, framed by colorful leaves, flowers, and stars.
Accessibility
No strobe lights will be used in the show. The lights that will be used are Source 4s/Par Cans, as well as some Christmas lights and rope lights. There will be brief cuts of loud music. Ear plugs and fidgets will be provided at each show. There will be some wheelchair accessible seating available. A single person partially accessible bathroom is located on the main floor (w/o automated door).
Our show on June 26 at 2 pm will have ASL (American Sign Language) and Audio Description. There will also be a sensory touch tour offered 45 mins prior to the start of the show. We ask that audience members refrain from wearing scents to the play out of respect for audience members with scent allergies, migraines and asthma.
Contact [email protected] with questions or other access needs.
Transit Info
Parking is available on the streets surrounding the theater. Paid metered parking is available along Lake St and free street parking is available on 15th Ave.
For guests using public transit, the theater is located off the 21 bus line at Lake St E & 14th Ave S.
Image Description: A photograph shows two black, cartoon-y puppets running through cardboard grasses and water, away from a person dressed as a colorful dinosaur and holding a dinosaur puppet in a chase scene. white clouds are suspended in the air with green and red pterodactyls hanging above as well.
Image Description: A photograph shows a stage with shadow puppet depicting a cityscape in pinks and purples. The two protagonists Fahari and Demetrius sit on a blanket in the grass in front of turtle shells drinking juice and smiling at one another under a night sky.
Image Description: A photograph shows a stage with shadow puppets depicting insects, mushrooms, and leaves framed by colorful leaves, flowers, and stars.
Junauda Petrus-Nasah
Impact Theory’s playwright, Junauda Petrus-Nasah, is an acclaimed poet, playwright, screenwriter, and multi-dimensional performance artist. West-Indian descended and African-sourced, she grew up in Minneapolis’s own Phillips and Powderhorn neighborhoods.
Image Description: A photo of Junauda shows her smiling surrounded by leaves.
Harry Waters Jr.
Impact Theory's director, Harry Waters, Jr. has a long career in acting and directing. He created the role of Belize in the first production of Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes in 1991. He is most famous for his portrayal of Marvin Berry in Back to the Future (1985). He received his MFA in Directing from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was Professor and former Chair of the Theater and Dance Department at Macalester College and Associate Dean of the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous venues around the country and in the Twin Cities. He has directed productions nationwide.
Image Description: A photo of Harry appears in black and white, he's smiling wide.
Behind the Scenes Video Interviews
Meet artists behind Impact Theory!
Yanimadeit - videographer/editor
Zephyr Sheedy - videographer of outdoor workshop
"Not all come who are summoned yet here you are in the disco light..."
Photos by Uche Iroegbu
Image Description: Fahari dances on a grassy stage, mouth open, in front of a purple-pink shadow puppet of a person's face.
Image Description: A photo of a person wearing yellows, pinks, and greens dressed as dinosaur, struts down a grassy aisle, with shadow puppet plants and mushrooms in the background.
Image Description: A photo of a person emerging who wears a red dinosaur costume and high-heeled boots, from a lit up red entryway.
Image Description: A photo of Fahari learning to dance alongside a person dressed as a purple dinosaur.
Thanks to
the Jim Henson Foundation, the American Swedish Institute, Puppeteers of America, the Hugh J Andersen Foundation, the MN State Arts Board, and the McKnight Foundation.
This project has been partially funded by a grant from The Puppeteers of America Endowment Fund
THE HUGH J ANDERSEN FOUNDATION
This activity is made possible by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.