Girl Friday Productions

“Make voyages! Attempt them! There’s nothing else.”  -Tennessee Williams, CAMINO REAL

With a nod to 20 years of remarkable theatrical voyages, Girl Friday Productions is proud and delighted to celebrate its legacy and announce new artistic leadership for the future. Effective January 1, 2025, founding Artistic Director Kirby Bennett will be passing artistic leadership to incoming Artistic Director Megan K. Pence. We are deeply grateful to our theatrical community of dedicated artists and passionate audience members who have made Girl Friday possible. And we look forward to more shared adventures ahead! Learn more and read our full announcement here: www.girlfridayproductions.org

Donate Today and Double Your Gift!

As we take this bold step, Girl Friday has a critical challenge grant of $3,000. All gifts up to $3,000 will be matched by the challenge grant, through 2024 calendar year-end.

Your support will honor Girl Friday’s past and help us embark on inspiring new voyages to come!

About Girl Friday Productions

Our mission: to nurture artists, inspire audiences and illuminate the human condition.

“Girl Friday's work model is an idiosyncratic one, but its periodic presence on the local theater scene has become an important one both for artists and audiences.” -Pioneer Press

Girl Friday Productions historically has chosen to focus on a singular major project every other year. The company’s work is characterized by exceptional literature, humanity, relevance, and stimulating theatricality. Founded in 2004, Girl Friday Productions' most recent work includes MAIN STREET (2024 staged reading of a new theatrical adaptation by John Middleton from the Sinclair Lewis classic novel), LIFE SUCKS by Aaron Posner (2023-2024 co-production with Open Eye Theatre), WINTERLIGHT (2020 virtual program), THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder (2019 Star Tribune, City Pages, Lavender Magazine critical acclaim), IDIOT’S DELIGHT by Robert Sherwood (2017 Lavender Magazine notable performances), and THE MATCHMAKER by Thornton Wilder (2015 year-end recognition from Twin Cities Theatre Bloggers). Other highlights include CAMINO REAL by Tennessee Williams (2013 Lavender Magazine notable performances), STREET SCENE by Elmer Rice (2011 “Top Ten”/Year End Highlights in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and Lavender Magazine; Ivey Award for Director), THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder (MinnPost “Favorite for 2009”) and OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder (Pioneer Press’ “Top Ten Shows of 2007”). 

Press and Audience Quotes

Life Sucks October 2023

"Life Sucks Reinterprets a Chekhov Classic with Brilliance and Charm" -Twin Cities Geek

“…you would be wise not to miss this funny and profound rare offering from Girl Friday and Open Eye.” —Cherry and Spoon

The Skin of Our Teeth in February/March 2019 

“This is theater at its best. Enormously entertaining and voluptuously intelligent.” – Lavender Magazine

“… frighteningly prescient… Every decision by director/set designer Joel Sass underscores the tension between what Wilder wrote almost eight decades ago and what it means to us today.”  – Star Tribune

 “… a spectacular staging by Girl Friday Productions” - Talkin’ Broadway

Idiot's Delight in July 2017 

“Idiot’s Delight remains a smart tale, and Girl Friday tells it well.” —Pioneer Press

“A 1930s world on the brink of war still resonates today in Idiot’s Delight.” —City Pages

“But even now, 80 years after it was written, the themes of nationalism, loyalty, changing borders, and a great sadness at the cost of war on all sides ring true.” —Cherry and Spoon

The Matchmaker in July 2015 

“Girl Friday Productions makes a perfect match with ‘Matchmaker’” – Star Tribune

“Nostalgic, yet radical in its cry for people to loosen up, let go, question authority, and follow their bliss.” - Lavender Magazine

“Girl Friday's production brings spirit, warmth and resonance.” – Pioneer Press

“There are terrific performances up and down the large cast, creating a beguiling reality populated with ideas that are still worth hearing." - City Pages

Camino Real in July 2013 

“Riveting! Inventive, Compelling!"  —audience member

“Brave and bold choices were made! Keep going with this, we need more daring productions in this city." —audience member

Street Scene in July 2011 

Selected as a Top Show of 2011 by the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and Lavender Magazine.

"effective, evocative and prescient" —Pioneer Press