"Thank you for treating us like we have brains in our heads."
Janitor at shelter after Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan

"Thank you for taking this really old play and finding things in it that have to do with what's going down now."
Juvenile inmate after Sophocles' Electra

"You make me feel like at least someone in the community considers me worthy of experiencing joy in my life. Not to mention that it makes me feel a part of that community -- which is something that many of us have never really experienced."
Male inmate after The Good Person of Szechwan

"I always thought theater was just for yuppies but this is cool!"
Homeless man after Albee's The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

"You brought a very precious ray of light into a dark world."
Male inmate after The Good Person of Szechwan

"As I was sitting here it crossed my mind how blessed I was to be able to attend a play here when I didn't on the outside."
Female inmate after Aescylus's The Furies

"This is exactly what we need to see before going out in the real world."
Female inmate after Shakespeare's Cymbeline

"This is the first play I ever saw. It beats TV any day."
Single dad after Berger's The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol

"I laughed so hard here -- I can't even remember the last time I laughed."
Inmate after Aphra Behn's Emperor of the Moon

"That was my life I was watching up there."
Adult reading student after Irene Fornes' Mud

"I was ready to tune you out with my walkman, but you guys really shocked me."
Homeless youth after Calderon's Life's A Dream

"It's nice to walk in here and feel a little joy for a change."
Homeless man after Cymbeline

"The best movie I ever saw."
Homeless man after The Balled of the Sad Cafe

"Things like this really make me feel like life has a meaning."
Homeless man after The Good Person of Szechwan

"We wanted to send 10,000 thank yous for the amazing performance of Once On This Island. It was such a wonderful experience, watching the singers and actors we became enthralled with the story. You brought so much joy to all of us and we are so grateful for that. As addicts, many of us have not had a chance to experience sober fun, and your play, to us . . . was the epitome of fun. Before you performed for us, the community here at Wayside was suffering. The intensity of love in the performance truly unified us. After the play was completed, we all came together and talked about the enjoyment we received from watching. We in return would like to thank you for allowing us the pleasure of being able to enjoy some live theater. It was a wonderful opportunity that many of us have never been lucky enough to experience. We'd like to acknowledge the powerful dancing as one of the common highlights for all of us. It was fascinating and intriguing to see such intricate dance. The voices of the actors were magnificent, and we could have listened to them sing all day. 10,000 thank yous from the women at Wayside. We truly hope to see you again soon."
Residents of Wayside House after Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's Once On This Island

"I just saw the show. I haven't enjoyed myself in theater like that in years. It was just beautiful, just amusing, the choreographer, the lyrics it all came together. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I just wanted to let all those involved know just how much it was appreciated – their work. That was really fantastic."
Terry after Once On This Island

"Just a quick note now that I'm back to say I LOVED LOVED LOVED Once on this Island. I thought it was FANTASTIC – one of the best things I've seen in a long time – great direction, wonderful choreography, a superb cast. Thrilling in every way, and a real triumph. BRAVO to you ALL!!!!"
Ben after Once On This Island

"Thanks much to everyone involved for another great evening of theater. My wife and I look forward to next year's season. Whether we'll be able to make it down from Moorhead to attend any of the productions remains, of course, to be seen; but we certainly will plan on 'donating some things' again."
"By the way, I was especially moved by one of the actors – the guy who among other things made the butterfly flit. His movements were so graceful and seemingly effortless at all times. And physically, facially, and vocally he reflected so well the mood of each movement. I think I may be referring to Kinaundrae Lee. But whether it is he or someone else, would you please extend my special thanks to him."
Dave after Once On This Island

"On May 9th I had the privilege of seeing "Once On This Island" at Open Book. The production was magic. I'm fortunate enough to see a lot of theater and your show was as powerful as anything I've ever seen, including on Broadway. The minimal props and intimate setting put the focus on the actors and the story rather than extraneous trappings. You've convinced me that this is the way theater was meant to be performed. It makes me happy to know that your company is bringing the best theater to people who usually don't get a chance to see plays. I have no doubt that you've changed lives. Thank you for that, and thank you for giving me such a moving night of theater."
David after Once On This Island

"I saw your production of "Once on this Island" last Sunday, and I'm still soaring. It was enchanting, and my best friend and theatre–going buddy was unable to join me, so all week I've been trying to convey the magic of what I saw."
Dawn after Once On This Island

"I'd just like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to come into a prison and share this musical with us. It's not often we get to experience things like that and I'm thankful that I got to. It was very well done. Thanks again, it was very much appreciated."
Male inmate after Once On This Island

"I was very moved by the performance and was especially engaged by the actor who played the Father (I forget his name at the moment). The production meant a lot to me on a personal level. TTT always brings high quality at the most minimal level. It is engaging and simple. Thank you so much for letting us join you on a free performance date. I truly appreciate the work TTT does. THANK YOU."
Amber after Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice

"I deeply appreciate the opportunity to expose my students to some of the finest theater around. For most of them, professional theater is something exotic and unreachable. I wanted them to experience the best, and that is what Ten Thousand Things offers. We have no field trip budget, so if the free public show had not been available, my students would have missed out on this vivid, intimate performance."
Elizabeth, middle school teacher after Eurydice

"The dad was the best because of the way he showed sadness."
Middle school student after Eurydice

"It felt very real, real scenes with real emotions."
Middle school student after Eurydice

"My class and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see Ruhl's Eurydice at one of your free public performances. Our class discussion following the visit was varied and exciting. The general sense was that the production was strong and further enhanced by seeing it with a non-traditional theatre audience. We also discussed how rich the play is--its musings, via the play's peculiar angle on the Orpheus-Eurydice myth, on death, marriage, father-daughter relationships, memory, loss, grief, and mourning."
Doug, college instructor after Eurydice

"You're bringing happiness into a lot of dudes' hearts with these plays. It's greatly appreciated. Thank you so much."
Male inmate after Shakespeare's Richard III

"Dear Ten Thousand Things, Bless your hearts it was awesome to see you again, even without the girls! Good Morrow!"
Male inmate after Richard III

"Only William himself could put into words the value of what you offered us. Thank you."
Male inmate after Richard III

"Thanks to all for enabling us to escape our earthly bonds if only for a short while. Your efforts are very much appreciated."
Male inmate after Richard III

"You took me away from this place and gave me a peek at some of my mad heritage. Thank you so much!"
Male inmate after Richard III

"Thanks. Not many people would come in here and do what you did for us."
Male inmate after Richard III

"Thanks for the play. It really encourages me to keep going in my studies."
Male inmate after Richard III

"This was the first play I have seen in 13 years and it gave me a very enjoyable time."
Male inmate after Richard III

"Thank you for the wonderful performance. Can you do Henry VIII and the Thomas Moore struggle?"
Male inmate after Richard III

"As always, you guys delivered another awesome performance. Thank you SO much. Since watching your plays I have developed a deep appreciation for theater. Thank you!"
Male inmate after Richard III

"I have always enjoyed the plays that your fine troupe has brought to our meager keep. Thank you for bringing the light of inspiration and beauty to us."
Male inmate after Richard III

"Dear TTT, Your production of Richard III was astounding and amazing - as are all your productions that I've been lucky enough to see. Keep up the amazing work - I look forward to the rest of your season and feel lucky to live in the city where you exist, perform and bring theater to underserved populations."
Carol after Richard III


"Richard III was great -- the acting superb! The intimacy & warmth of the introduction by whom I assume was Michelle Hensley, direction, explanation of what was to come. Every detail was masterfully carried out. I'm proud of what we have here in Mpls, and having increasingly discovered the depth of our theater -- this particular performance was honed fully to perfection - -thank you! Count me in!"
Kiki after Richard III

"Your production of Richard III was the essence of what good theater should be. We applaud your talent and your mission."
Ruth & Herb after Richard III

"Thank you for another stunning production of Shakespeare. Last night, I (and the members of my class in Shakespeare) were so moved by the work of your actors."
Toni after Richard III

"Absolutely splendid!"
Ann after Richard III

"Following Saturday's performance, we were not the only ones saying,'That was just vile!' It mirrored, incredibly, the diabolical insane ambition to which no cries for mercy or humane compassion means a whit in present U.S. You, with Shakespeare, made us feel that at least our plight is told aloud. That's therapy. Thanks for an unforgettable rendition. I will, as I told Bob Davis as Richard, hate him all my life."
Ava after Richard III

"I'm so glad I came to the show. What a great group of actors who were so freakin' COMMITTED to the words and the story and the feelings. It never seemed forced! That's amazing. Luverne brought me to tears and Jim's Anne was so painfully conflicted (his Tyril kicked ass, too) and Richard Ooms filled the room with truth, Bob was pretty damn disgusting... no, wait... RICHARD was pretty damn disgusting :).. and and AND....The set was beautiful and the costumes were gorgeous!"
Kate after Richard III

"My wife and I have returned to Moorhead following one of our occasional "cultural" weekends in the Cities. Yo Yo Ma was superb, to be sure. And the play at the Guthrie (Home Place) was well done. But the high point of our trip was Richard III. No question about it being a unique production -- moreover, it was the most exciting theatrical experience I've ever had. I'll certainly be inclined to return to the Cities whenever Ten Thousand Things Theater stages another play, that's for sure. Thanks to all involved for a truly memorable night of Shakespeare."
Davis after Richard III

"Last night I brought six high school students to the performance of Richard III at Secure Waiting. I wanted to thank you first for allowing us to come and accommodating all of my questions. I wanted to thank you also for a wonderful show. Lastly, I want to say thank you for providing such an immensely rich learning experience. My students were floored not only by the performance, but also by the experience of seeing it at Secure Waiting. A few mentioned that when they first arrived they felt nervous and on edge about being there (as I'm sure many suburban teenagers would in that situation). However, when the show was done, they mentioned that they didn't feel as if there was that much different between them and the men who were staying at shelter. Thank you for creating a learning environment almost impossible to create in a classroom."
Lee after Richard III

"I was part of the group from St. Olaf that you spoke to on Friday. I wanted to say how absolutely FLOORED I was by the production of Richard III. I've just been gushing about it to all my fellow Theater majors and professors, because it was simply the best Shakespearean production that I have ever seen, and one of the most enjoyable theater experiences of my life. I was completely blown away by so many aspects of the production, but as a Shakespeare enthusiast, I was most struck by the unbelievable immediacy and vitality that I think all Shakespeare productions try to achieve, but many fail to. I think that this production is what Shakespeare is supposed to be, and now I feel like I don't want to see it done any other way. Thank you for a beautiful and stirring production and an affecting and unforgettable experience."
Ross after Richard III

"Loved Richard III. Like the other TTT shows I've been lucky enough to catch; engrossing, engaging, a thrill ride. We're so lucky to have this in MPLS."
Ariel after Richard III