Don’t Expect Indifference

Some of the artists performing at Don't Expect Indifference — DON’T EXPECT INDIFFERENCE

Apr 22, 2025
by Jungle Theater in partnership w/ Latté Da, Mixed Blood, Mu, Nautilus, An Opera Theatre, Park Square, Pillsbury, Teatro del Pueblo, Trademark, & Yellow Tree

WATCH VIRTUALLY

text & photo adapted from Jungle Theater

A CABARET IN RESPONSE TO THE POLITICAL MOMENT

Join the Twin Cities Theater community on April 22 at 7 pm for an artistic response to the moment, particularly the adjusted National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) requirements and the current landscape of fiscal censorship.

Theater companies across the Twin Cities will be at the Jungle Theater to share performance pieces, be together as a community, and demonstrate resistance to what the federal government is doing and how it is hurting our field.

This free event features a variety of performance styles and artists, and it aims to communicate concern and opposition to what we see happening to arts funding as well as unite our community (theaters, artists, audience members, supporters, engaged citizens) and remind ourselves that our creativity, energy, and strength is a tremendous force for hope.

GENERAL INFORMATION

DATE

Apr 22 at 7 pm CT. Tickets are free (please RSVP, as limited seats are available).

Update Apr 3: In-person seats are all claimed, but you will be able to watch virtually by filling out this form (also linked above).

VENUE INFO

Don’t Expect Indifference will take place at the Jungle Theater, located at 2951 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Paid and free street parking is available, as well as paid parking lots such as the one behind the theater/along Garfield Avenue. The Jungle is also along the Metro Transit bus routes 4, 21, 53, and 113. You can learn more at the Jungle Theater website.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY SPARKED THIS EVENT?

The arts are feeling the effects of the current administration in many ways including how it affects funding. In early February, the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) released new restrictions for grant applications for arts organizations. The guidelines included adherence to all applicable executive orders while NEA award grants are administered as well as the following verbatim requirements:

The applicant will not operate any programs promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173.
The applicant understands that federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.

On February 21, 2025, TCG (Theater Communications Group), Rhode Island Latino Arts, National Queer Theater, The Theater Offensive filed a suit that argues the new certification requirements and funding prohibition violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the First Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment.

While many organizations do not receive federal funding or only receive a small amount, the intent to censor what arts organizations can create and erode the effectiveness of the arts is upsetting and threatening to the field. Particularly for BIPOC theaters and Queer theaters, these restrictions make their work and organizations entirely ineligible for funding from the NEA.

Meet the Artists & Theaters

We’re honored to stand alongside the Jungle Theater, who is producing this cabaret, as well as Mixed Blood Theatre, Nautilus Music-Theater, An Opera Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Pillsbury House + Theatre, Teatro del Pueblo, Theater Latté Da, Trademark Theater, & Yellow Tree Theatre.

The performing artists are Paulina Aparicio, Isa Condo Olvera, Jason Hansen, Monty Hays, Keith Hovis, Kiko Laureano, Jim Lichtscheidl, Jared Mikach, Eric Morris, Wesley Mouri, Thomasina Petrus, Armando Harlow Ronconi, Em Rosenberg, Emma Schuld, Isabella Star LaBlanc, & Victor Zupanc.