Anita Ruth and T. Mychael Rambo inspire new ways of thinking about African-American words and music. T. Mychael’s skills as an actor, singer and educator complement Anita’s extensive experience as a theatrical music director, accompanist and vocal coach.
Anita has been involved in the Twin Cities theatrical and musical circles for over 35 years. She served as the musical director at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater for over 80 shows and spent eight years with the Children’s Theatre Company in both theatrical and educational capacities. For ten years, Anita has worked with Project Success, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping inner-city students achieve their dreams. She was also named Artists of the Year in 2006 by Young Audiences of Minnesota.
More About the Artists
T. Mychael Rambo is a highly praised actor and vocalist who has made insurmountable contributions as a residency artist/educator and affiliate professor/recruitment coordinator at the University of Minnesota in the School of Theatre Arts and Dance. In 2001 he received the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship and is an accomplished actor and theatre professional appearing in dozens of shows from venues such as the Guthrie and the Minnesota Opera Company.
Learn more about Anita Ruth in her January 2018 Artist Spotlight Interview.
Program Offerings
Residencies
The Power of Song
We will follow the course of history through song, from spirituals to the peace movement. Songs are powerful tools that have been used by every political movement in United States history. Experience the power of such songs as “Oh, Freedom,” “Solidarity Forever” and “We Shall Overcome.” Choose your own cause and write a new song. See how it feels to be an agent of change today!
Tracks of New Thinking
Discover your creative spirit through theater activities and by creating and composing an original spiritual. Learn how poems and music communicate ideas. Explore poetic and musical examples that include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.
Performance
Tracks of New Thinking
Experience the legacy of African-American poetry and music. Beginning with songs of freedom, discover not only the beauty of the compositions, but also the power of language in communicating ideas, experiences and emotions.
Cartage Fee: Will be applied if site cannot provide a tuned piano.
Workshops
The Power of Song
We will follow the course of history through song, from spirituals to the peace movement. Songs are powerful tools that have been used by every political movement in United States history. T. Mychael and Anita follow the course of history through song, from spirituals to the peace movement. Experience the power of such songs as “Oh, Freedom,” “Solidarity Forever,” and “We Shall Overcome.” Choose your own cause and write a new song. See how it feels to be an agent of change today!
Tracks of New Thinking
Learn how poems and music communicate ideas. Explore poetic and musical examples that include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. Discover your creative spirit through theater activities and by creating and composing an original spiritual.
Note: Cartage fee applies for rental of artist’s keyboard, if site does not have a tuned piano.
Performance (with only Anita Ruth)
An Introduction to PolkaSol!
What happens when three well known Twin Cities musicians decide to learn to play new instruments and then form a group? You get PolkaSol! The musicians – Ann Reed, Joan Griffith and Anita Ruth, who usually play guitar, bass, and piano respectively, have tossed those instruments aside and become a trio playing two accordions and a violin. The repertoire consists of lots of polkas, waltzes and old time songs. The music falls into many categories and genres – Scandinavian, Irish, French, old time, folk and popular to name a few. But what PolkaSol likes best is to sing along with their audience. A very interactive group, PolkaSol encourages its listeners to join in the fun. PolkaSol loves to talk with its audience, share stories and humor. PolkaSol wants to bring a smile and a light to the eyes of those that are present and hopefully bring back memories of other days.
