Brave New Workshop

Have you ever wondered...what are they talking about? Well, hopefully our FAQ section will do the job. We've compiled questions that are asked of us about the shows, the players, and miscellaneous questions that we wouldn't even think to ask.

The Brave New Workshop creates original, satirical sketch comedy that we perform live onstage.  We start with a general theme, like love and relationships, or the presidential election - something that people are talking about and giving a lot of attention to in the community and throughout the nation.  We then write original comedy sketches and songs that "satirize" or "make a statement about," or "take a look at" the topic in a new, funny and entertaining way. It's called "sketch comedy" or "a comedy revue" and we’ve been doing it since 1958, longer than anyone on the globe. Our goal is always to be funny, entertaining, and provocative.  We DO NOT recommend our stage shows for those who are easily shocked or offended, or are uncomfortable encountering viewpoints that differ from their own. We DO recommend our shows for anyone looking for something different and surprising and people who consider themselves to be "comically BRAVE."

Because everyone has their own idea of what type of content is (or isn’t) appropriate for what age group, we never feel we can give specific recommendations about bringing young people to our shows.  To help guide your decision, we refer you to our Standard Disclaimer (ehem):

For over 50 years, the Brave New Workshop has proudly covered controversial topics in a satirical manner. Therefore our shows may include all or none of the following: adult situations, sexual content, blatant irreverence to whatever you hold sacred, irresponsible depictions of gunplay, knife fights, and taser usage; and very, very naughty language.

 

If you have any doubts, you may wish to preview one or two of our shows before bringing your kids or teens. For the comfort of all our patrons, we do not allow children under the age of 10 to attend our performances.

Live theatre depends on an audience.  Because we write and develop our own original shows, it’s essential that we try out material in front of an audience and gauge reactions to the show.  During the week before opening night, we continue to rewrite, rehearse, and rearrange the show, making changes based on audience reactions and feedback collected during preview performances.  Previews have an energy all their own, and are a great opportunity to see material that might otherwise not make it into the actual show!  We charge a lower ticket price for previews because the show is in a little more “raw” state... and the actors are somewhat more likely to burst into tears of blind panic as they attempt to remember their lines that were rewritten mere minutes beforehand.  (Please Note - there’s no free improv set following preview performances.)

Our shows are about 100 minutes to two hours long, with one intermission. Following the last show of the evening, there is also a free performance of our world famous improvisation (our unofficial 'third act') which lasts 20 - 45 minutes.

Other special events and rentals vary. For specific information, please email us.

Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Comedy Revue: A Cheater's Guide to Winning now through June 29!


The BNW takes on liars and cheaters in all their forms in "Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Comedy Revue," a signature blend of hilarious original sketch comedy and biting satire. 

With four of BNW's best and brightest actors taking the stage, "Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Comedy Revue: A Cheater's Guide to Winning" will be an all-guts, all-glory production sure to cross the (finish) line!

In a nutshell: Don't be that guy. We invite you to tweet during the show (#RoidRave) but please be smart about it – a lit screen in a dark theatre can be very distracting to the performers and the audience members around you. Cameras, cellphones with video/recording, or any recording devices are prohibited during the show.

Please turn ringers OFF during the performance – and remember you are in a comedy theatre and a ringing phone gives our actors the perfect opportunity to stop the show and mock you.

 

Photography or recording of any kind is PROHIBITED while the show is in progress.  If you want to snap a photo of yourself and your friends enjoying a night at the Brave New Workshop, that’s cool – just do it at intermission or before/after the show.  If you want a picture of any of the performers or employees of the Brave New Workshop, please ask that person’s permission first, otherwise it’s kind of creepy, don’t you think?

Yes! We have 4 bars with a full alcohol selection focused on local products, good coffee, soda and soft drinks; as well as popcorn and snacks. You CAN bring them into the theater with you! We do not allow outside food or drink, however - no packing a picnic unless you brought enough for all of us!  Our theatre is surrounded by many great restaurants too, check out some of our favorites!

Patrons arriving after the show starts will be seated at an appropriate break in the performance, at the discretion of the management. Latecoming parties may find that they will have to split up. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE! Our theatre is very small, so seating latecomers is extremely disruptive for our other patrons. Again - we recommend that our guests arrive one hour before showtime.  Any seats which aren't claimed 10 minutes prior to showtime may be released for resale.

 

We recommend that our guests arrive one hour before showtime.  That will give you plenty of time to check your coat, pick up your tickets, get a drink, and settle in to your seats at a relaxed pace.  The earlier you get here, the less likely you are to wind up standing in line at the box office, bar, or restrooms! Our theatre is a fun place to hang out, so get here early and start the party!

 

With our new downtown location at 824 Hennepin Ave, your parking options are endless!  Within walking distance are meter, paid surface lots, and several  parking structures.  Learn more here and remember, biking, busing, and walking are all options too!

The atmosphere at our theatre tends to be pretty casual. Some people dress up; but jeans are more the norm.  Wear what’s comfortable for you, and come as you are!

Oh Heavens Yes!  While we do sometimes have tickets available for walk-ups on the night of the show, we often sell out, especially on Friday  and Saturday  nights.  Buying your tickets in advance ensures your admission to the performance, and enables you to choose from the most available seats.   

Please make sure you have all your ducks in a row prior to purchasing tickets.  Once you purchase your tickets, we don’t offer any returns, refunds, or exchanges.  That’s our policy - but if a problem should arise with your reservation or for some reason you can’t make it to the show, please feel free to call the box office at 612-332-6620 and we’ll try to assist if possible.

We have a limited number of wheelchair-accessible seats available for each performance.  To book wheelchair-accessible seating and companion seats, please call the box office at 612-332-6620.  Throughout our theatre the style of seats varies a little bit from section to section, so if you have a special need or request, please don’t hesitate to call the box office, and we’ll do our best to get you the seats that will work best for your particular need!  We do suggest that you call well in advance to ensure the best availability.     

The Brave New Workshop is a RESERVED SEATING facility. When you book your tickets online or through our box office, you can choose "quick pick" for the best available seats. We only seat 206 patrons in our theatre, so you're never too far from the action, but if you want assistance choosing your seats, our crack team of knowledgeable box office staff will be happy to help! Just call 612.332.6620.

Tickets may be purchased 24/7 here!  Otherwise, our box office hours are:

Mon/Tues/Wed - 10 am to 5 pm

Thur/Fri/Sat - 10 am to 9 pm

(AND, if it's not listed above,  we're always open 2 hours before showtime.)

If you're curious to take a gander at the seating chart for our 2nd floor theatre, you can view a PDF here.
You bet!  Please peep the following (all this info also appears on the email confirmation when you purchase your tix):

 - Your admission to/attendance at a Brave New Workshop event or performance serves as permission to the Brave New Workshop (and its designees, management companies, partners, affiliated businesses and agents) to use, without compensation, any variation of your image/likeness/voice recorded during the event or on premises, for promotional purposes.
  -  The ticket holder/attendee voluntarily assumes all risk and danger of personal injury, loss or damage and agrees to release Brave New Workshop, its management companies, subsidiaries and partners (and all of its agents, employees, owners, designees, volunteers) from any and all liability related to injury, incidents or harm  whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event, howsoever caused or whether by negligence or otherwise.

If you want insider info and access to specials and ticket discounts (and really, who doesn’t), there are several great ways to stay up to speed with us.  Numeros uno and dos - sign up for our email newsletter and like us on Facebook.  You can follow us on Twitter too, and if that’s not enough for you, bookmark us on Yelp and check in on Foursquare. If you don’t go in for social networking, I guess you could just honk and wave whenever you drive past the theatre. 

Indeed we do!  By request, we will donate tickets to area organizations and causes for use in silent auctions. Please send your request via email to  Peggy McCalla, peggy@bravenewworkshop.com or mail to Attn: Peggy McCalla, Brave New Workshop, 824 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis MN, 55403.  Learn more about our community involvement here!
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