Playwright and Actor

Patrick has been associated with ILLUSION THEATER since nearly the beginning when Patrick choreographed the original production of Orlando, Orlando in 1977. ILLUSION has produced Patrick’s Queer Thinking, Forever Hold Your Piece, Leaves of Grass – Illuminated (began as a large-scale work for two actors and 18 male dancers), and The 3rd Act.

Patrick is well known for work ranging from large scale group works, to solo work. His largest works include: a Ballet for Boats, for fifty boats, done to great critical acclaim in both Minneapolis (2015) and Potsdam, Germany (2010). His solo works, more intimate and often biographical, and highly acclaimed, have included works ranging from Too Soon Lost (1990) to Thrive! (2010). 

Patrick began dancing in 1972 as a college freshman. In 1976 he co-founded Contactworks, a Minneapolis based dance collective focused on contact improvisation. In 1980 he left Contactworks to explore broader horizons. That led him to dance with Remy Charlip, beginning with Remy’s Ten Men show in the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival in 1984. Dancing for Remy Charlip, Patrick toured to Boston, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, New York, and Berkeley, California. Eventually he returned to Minneapolis focusing on the creation of his own work touring internationally and nationally, as well as across all of Minnesota. In addition to his performing work, Patrick was the founder and longtime director of Patrick’s Cabaret, in Minneapolis. More complete information is available at http://www.patrickscully.org

Director

Michael founded ILLUSION THEATER in 1974. Michael has served as Artistic Producer for Illusion since its inception and has been a Project Director for the vast majority of ILLUSION THEATER’s programs, leading and overseeing all elements of planning, implementation, finance, evaluation, and reporting. These include all Education programs, productions, and a host of new program initiative grants and contracts supported by foundations, corporations, federal, state, county, and city sources.

Michael has guided the production of more 400 world premieres, bringing to the stage the work of a diverse and eminent group of artists. He has directed over 100 ILLUSION THEATER productions including the American premiere of Edward Bond's RESTORATION and the highly acclaimed 1991 production of MISS EVERS' BOYS. He directed Kim Hines' I BELIEVE I'LL RUN ON... AND SEE WHAT THE END'S GONNA BE for the Kennedy Center's 1996 prestigious New Visions/New Voices Festival, ILLUSION’s searing production of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, and the Midwest premiere of the Kirsten Childs’ groundbreaking musical THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN. He conceived and directed the Twin Cities IVEY Award-winning, ILLUSION-commissioned adaptation by Allison Moore of Willa Cather’s MY ANTONIA. In 2012, he co-created (with composer Roberta Carlson) and directed ILLUSION’s original and highly popular music revue LOVE & MARRIAGE, which was slightly revised and presented as LOVE & MARRIAGE: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES, in the wake of Minnesota’s passage of gay marriage and the defeat of DOMA.

Lighting Collaboration

Garvin is a Minneapolis-based lighting designer working in theater and dance. Graduating from The Theatre School at DePaul University, he started his career in Chicago working with Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, among other dance and theater companies. Garvin spent time on tour with William Shatner, Anthony Bourdain, Bill Nye, and other celebrity personalities while working for promoter IAE in Chicago. Garvin has worked extensively in the Twin Cities dance community as a lighting designer and stage manager with: Minnesota Dance Theater, James Sewell Ballet, Rhythm Street Movement, Ballet Minnesota, TU Dance, AMP, Ballet Co.Laboratory, Katha Dance Theater, Black Label Movement, as well as directly with many artists through Walker's Choreographers’ Evening, Minnesota Dance Festival, or programming at The Cowles Center for Dance. He is currently the Company Manager for Ragamala Dance Company and Production Manager for Wild Kratts Live! Garvin has been involved with ILLUSION THEATER in various capacities since 2006 including Lighting Designs for These Old Shoes (2023), We Take Care of Our Own (2023), Five Minutes of Heaven (2022), History or Religion (2022), and What is Emily Drawing (2022).

Directographer & Movement Coach

Blake Nellis is a published fine art photographer, educator, choreographer, and performing artist. His work is deeply rooted in human connection, physical touch, and nature. He graduated from Luther College with a degree in Theater/Dance. Blake is a 2021 MN State Arts Board Individual Support Grant recipient as well 2019 & 2015 recipient of the MN State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant (Photography & Dance respectively). Blake received the Artist Initiative Grant in 2019 to create and publish a 200 page fine art book titled Skin.Rock.Bone. This series explores the visual and somatic experience of being naked and human among the natural world. He has also received funding from the Jerome Foundation, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, thanks to voters like you! His photographic work has been seen in SHOTS magazine, The Soap Factory, Homewood Studios, Squirrel Haus Arts Gallery, The Tek Box Theater, and The Great Minnesota Get Together. He has performed at the Walker Art Center, The Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts, Patrick's Cabaret, The Artbox, Red Eye Theater, Ritz Theatre, TEK Box, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, Luther College, and more.  His teaching pedagogy is driven by humor, honesty, empathy, and open-mindedness. He enjoys interdisciplinary work, especially that which combines dance, nature, and photography.  He is also accepting new commissions and wedding bookings for the coming year! Check it out: www.blakenellis.org 

Costumer

Abby is an interdisciplinary artist and costumer. Forever interested in collaboration and community Abby’s work reflects our collective imagination and storytelling practices. She has had the privilege of working as a Costume Designer and Maker with performance artists and theaters in Minnesota and throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is thrilled to be collaborating with Patrick Scully and ILLUSION THEATER.