Minnesota’s favorite (and coincidentally only) civics-inspired improv comedy show!
Imagine C-SPAN being suddenly swarmed by the cast of SNL.
— Minneapolis Star Tribune
Public policy meets improv? Cue the laugh track!
— The Bush Foundation
The Theater of Public Policy: Upcoming Shows
“The Theater of Public Policy started with a simple idea: serious conversations do not have to feel punishing.”
— Tane Danger, co-founder and host of The Theater of Public Policy
Tane Danger (left) and Brandon Boat (right) during the first show of The Theater of Public Policy in 2011.
Danger Boat co-founders Tane Danger and Brandon Boat created T2P2 in 2011 with a hunch that conversations about public policy — and other big, thinky ideas — could be easier and more productive with a little laughter. The result is a one-of-a-kind live show format that turns expert interviews into unscripted comedy.
What is The Theater of Public Policy (T2P2)?
So how does it work?
Shows open with a lively conversation with a newsmaker or policy wonk. Our show host asks the guests real, considered questions to explore the topic in depth while keeping the conversation fun.
Onstage Interview
That conversation inspires a team of Minnesota’s most talented improvisers, who create entirely spontaneous sketches based on the interview.
Improvised Comedy
We turn it over to the audience to ask questions about what they’ve heard, and our guests give answers live onstage.
Q&A
The show wraps with a final round of improv from the cast based on everything they’ve heard from the guest(s) and the audience.
Improvised Comedy (again!)
What Does Civics-Inspired Improv Look Like?
Get a glimpse into the world of The Theater of Public Policy and see for yourself how we turn big ideas into big laughs.
To Fertility and Beyond
An improv show on the topic of fertility? It can only be the Theater of Public Policy at Gustavus Adolphus College's 53rd Nobel Conference.
Infrastructure of Dreams: If we improv, will they come?
This show is from a residency the Theater of Public Policy had in Washington DC at the Capital Fringe Theater.
The best improv cast in the whole wide world!
What does it take to be “C-SPAN suddenly swarmed by the cast of SNL?” It takes a team of the craftiest improvisers and the smartest of cookies! Professional actors, academics, policy wonks, musicians, composers, embracers of their inner weirdos, writers, and all-around great people who are empathetic, curious and resourceful improvisers. Meet the cast.
Podcasts
Missed The Theater of Public Policy live, or just want a better sense of how the show works? Check out these interviews with guests from our past shows.
The Millenial Farmer
Zach Johnson is a fifth-generation Minnesota farmer. The industry obviously looks much different than it did when his great-great-grandfather was working the land. Yet there are very modern challenges as well, like a precarious trade situation and landscape impacted by climate change. We asked Johnson all about this, and how he finds time to maintain a YouTube channel while harvesting his crops.
Is this the era for the ERA?
Should gender equity be written into Minnesota law? For decades, advocates have been pushing for just that, and earlier this year they got a major win when the Minnesota House voted to put an Equal Rights Amendment in front of voters in 2020. Is this the time for the ERA in Minnesota? We asked Betty Folliard, founder of ERA Minnesota. (Hint: she says yes!)
The Commissioner of Public Safety
Who oversees police and public safety across the state of Minnesota? It’s former Metro Transit and St. Paul police chief John Harrington! Needless to say, Harrington has goals to diversify police departments across the state and improve police community relations.
Contact us!
Let’s build an event that your audience will love.
Book us now or contact us for a free consultation to explore your options. We respond via email to inquiries within 1-3 business days. For the fastest response, reach out to Brian Gioielli at brian@dangerboat.net.
Email
info@dangerboat.net
Phone
(612) 843-4443
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