Laura Leffler is the new artistic director at St. Paul’s History Theatre.
Laura Leffler (Courtesy of History Theatre)
Leffler joined the staff in 2022 to produce the annual Raw Stages Festival. She was named interim artistic director in July after Richard D. Thompson surprised staff by stepping down from the position after just two years. At the time, Thompson said he was leaving because he realized his “true passion lies in the creative process itself.”
Throughout her career, Leffler has specialized in creating new works for the stage and new play development, two key goals at History Theatre. She co-founded and was the artistic director for 13 years of the now-sunsetted Savage Umbrella/Umbrella Collective, a collaborative theater ensemble dedicated to social issues, women and LGBTQIA+ theater.
She also served as the associate artistic director of St. Paul’s Park Square Theatre from 2017-2019 and has worked with numerous local theaters, including the Guthrie Theatre, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Children’s Theatre Company and the Playwrights’ Center.
“We’ve put some plans in place since I’ve been in this (interim) position,” Leffler said. “Now that I’m going to be staying on a long-term basis, it feels good to be able to be here to see those plans through. In a way, this is a long game. You make plans that don’t end up rolling out for a year, two years, three years.”
Thompson succeeded Ron Peluso, who retired in January 2022 after 27 years at the theater. At the time, Leffler said she was interested in the position, but there was one catch.
“It crossed my mind, but I did not apply because I was pregnant,” she said. “I was definitely interested, but it was not my moment because I was about to have an infant. I thought as soon as Rick is done being here then I’ll put my hat in the ring.”
Thompson was going to direct two shows in the fall, which left Leffler with the need to find a director for the first show, “Don’t Miss Doris Hines.” She ended up directing the second, “Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical,” herself.
“It was a lot of pivoting,” Leffler said. “A lot of pivoting and trying to keep things afloat and moving forward.”
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One challenge Leffler said the theater is facing is a common one.
“History Theatre finds itself in the same boat as every theater across the country does right now,” she said. “It’s a tough time to be a performing arts, live art medium, especially with the recent (ICE) occupation here in the Twin Cities. Every theater has seen lower turnout to their shows, fewer audiences coming through the doors. When people feel safe and comfortable to come out again, we are excited to welcome audiences back to the theater.”
As for the future, Leffler and her staff are looking forward to History Theatre’s 50th anniversary season in 2027: “The plan is to bring back some beloved pieces from the repertoire, along with a handful of new works. It’s really a showcase and celebration of everything that we’ve done over the past 50 years.”
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