Theatre of the Relatively Talentless

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The Theatre of the Relatively Talentless (T.O.R.T.) is a theatrical company that puts on musicals and other performances written, produced, directed and performed by students of the University of Minnesota Law School. TORT is a duly registered, non-profit, campus life student organization through the University of Minnesota Student Activities Office and operates under the purview of the Law School. Formed in 2002, its goal is to "provid[e] law students and faculty with a desperately needed creative outlet." By far the most visible activity that TORT engages in is the annual Law School Musical, but also may appear at various law-related functions under the aliases of "The Law School Singers" and "Law School Vocal Ambassadors."

Membership in TORT is traditionally open to "all law students without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, class standing, political preferences, bluebooking skill, or ability to use the term a fortiori in a sentence." TORT is governed year-round by a 9-member Executive Board traditionally including two producers, a Law School Musical director, a music director, a technical director, a head writer, a treasurer, a VIP liaison, and a choreographer. As TORT has become more established, the cast has grown to a current size of more than 80 members. Participants are known as the TORTfeasors.

Contents

[edit] Musical

Scene from T.O.R.T.'s 2004 production of Law Wars.
Scene from T.O.R.T.'s 2004 production of Law Wars.

Traditionally acted, written, directed, produced, and run entirely by students, the musical is an annual event held in late February or early March of each year. The event draws over a thousand audience members each year and features cameos by law school professors, deans, staff, alumni and other distinguished members of the Minnesota legal community.

The theme, which is kept a secret to all but the Executive Board until auditions, is chosen during the summer. Auditions are held during the fall semester, and the script is written and theater is reserved before spring semester.

Cast members are assigned either to lead parts or to the chorus. Chorus members may also have speaking lines, and often impersonate law school professors, staff, or administrators.

Executive Board members for the following year are elected on the night of each final performance.

[edit] Current Show

The 2008 show's title was Robin Hood, Esquire and it was performed at the Pantages Theatre on March 7 & 8, 2008.

[edit] Past Shows

[edit] Cameos

Walter Mondale at the introduction of the "Fighting Mondales" following the 2004 production of Law Wars.
Walter Mondale at the introduction of the "Fighting Mondales" following the 2004 production of Law Wars.

[edit] 2003:

VIP

  • Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
  • Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson ('68)
  • Federal District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen ('81)

Law School

  • Dean Alex Johnson
  • Professor Ann Burkhart
  • Professor Guy-Uriel Charles
  • Professor Jim Chen
  • Professor John Matheson
  • Professor Judith T. Younger

[edit] 2004:

VIP

  • Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
  • Then-Attorney General of Minnesota Mike Hatch ('73)
  • Federal District Court Judge James M. Rosenbaum ('69)
  • Hennepin County District Court Judge (then Chief Judge) Kevin S. Burke ('75)

Law School

The international students, Frankenlaw, and Igor in the 2007 production of Frankenlaw. Photo by Emily Melvin.
The international students, Frankenlaw, and Igor in the 2007 production of Frankenlaw. Photo by Emily Melvin.

[edit] 2005:

VIP

Law School

  • Dean Alex Johnson
  • Associate Dean of Students Erin Keyes
  • Associate Dean Jim Chen
  • Professor Bradley Clary
  • Professor Laura Cooper
  • Professor Maury Landsman
  • Professor John Matheson
  • Professor Judith T. Younger
  • Collins Byrd, then-Director of Admissions
  • Susan Gainen, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Steve Marchese, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Linda Lokensgard, Director, Building & Events

[edit] 2006:

VIP

Law School

  • Dean Alex Johnson
  • Associate Dean of Students Erin Keyes
  • Professor John Matheson
  • Professor Judith T. Younger
  • Professor Jim Chen
  • Susan Gainen, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Vic Massaglia, Career Advisor in the Career & Professional Development Center
Mob scene from the 2007 production of Frankenlaw. Photo by Jessica Johnson.
Mob scene from the 2007 production of Frankenlaw. Photo by Jessica Johnson.

[edit] 2007:

VIP

  • Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
  • Federal District Court Judge John R. Tunheim ('80)
  • Federal District Court Judge James M. Rosenbaum ('69)
  • Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson ('68)
  • Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea

Law School

  • Co-Dean Fred Morrison
  • Co-Dean Guy-Uriel Charles
  • Professor John Matheson
  • Professor Judith T. Younger
  • Professor Laura Cooper
  • Professor Ruth Okediji
  • Professor Stephen Befort
  • Professor Bradley Clary
  • Professor Maury Landsman
  • Professor Prentiss Cox
  • Susan Gainen, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Steven Marchese, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Vic Massaglia, Career Advisor, Career & Professional Development Center

[edit] 2008:

VIP

Law School

  • Co-Dean Fred Morrison
  • Co-Dean Guy-Uriel Charles
  • Professor John Matheson
  • Professor Judith T. Younger
  • Professor Claire Hill
  • Professor Richard Frase
  • Professor Stephen Befort
  • Professor Heidi Kitrosser
  • Professor Laura Cooper
  • Professor Prentiss Cox
  • Susan Gainen, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Steven Marchese, Director, Career & Professional Development Center
  • Vic Massaglia, Career Advisor, Career & Professional Development Center

TORT Alumni

  • Kirby Petersen ('07)
  • Trevor Helmers ('07)

[edit] References

[edit] External links