Brave New WorkshopExperimental Thinking Centre

The BNW Experimental Thinking Centre (ETC) was designed with flexibility, quality, and innovation in mind. In the spirit of improvisation, the ETC is a sophisticated canvas for your vision.

About the ETC

ETC Venue Rental

Able to accommodate a variety of configurations and events, the Brave New Workshop ETC is an inviting and state-of-the art event venue. A stun-ning lobby welcomes you with wide open doors that entice visitors to wander the area and experience the history of the BNW and its long legacy of engaging and transforming audiences with comedy, improvisation, and world-class writing.

Offering much more than just a meeting facility, the ETC is located at 824 Hennepin Avenue in the heart of the theatre district in downtown Min-neapolis and offers 3,000 square feet on the main floor of the Brave New Workshop. On the second level, you will find our 230-seat full theatre, progressively adorned conference room, and a second floor lobby with bar area. To ensure a standing ovation from your attendees, you can have your group attend one of our shows or choose to include corporate services provided by our creative outreach division. In all things, we strive to make meeting planners look great.

Holding true to the comedic style and quality delivery traditions of the Brave New Workshop, the ETC offers a light-hearted, intimate, and friendly atmosphere; professional business-minded and accommodating staff and management; tricked out audio, video, and lighting capabilities; and the flexibility to comfortably host a variety of events ranging from business meetings and holiday par-ties to concerts and training sessions and much more. To see the details of a full-scale venue rental, please review the ETC Rental Agreement in full or email us at etc@bravenewworkshop.com.

Quick Details

ETC Venue WebcastingAfter purchasing the 824 Hennepin Ave building in 2011, the Brave New Workshop undertook a remodeling project that included world-class technology and support for global webcasting. Working in partnership with Implex, the ETC venue is a great option for both live and/or pre-recorded webcasts.

• Accommodates up to 300 guests on the main floor of the BNW

• Includes a full-service bar with a focus on local and regional wine and beer distributors

• Offers an approved list of stellar catering partners

• Incorporates audio, video, and lighting capabilities that make the head spin

• Allows for a number of different room configurations with a variety of options

• Provides unmatched webcasting capabilities from the BNW and Implex partnership

• Is located approximately 20 minutes from Mpls/St. Paul airport in the heart of the historic theatre district in downtown Mpls.

• Within easy walking distance of more than 50 outstand-ing restaurants and 20 premiere hotels

• Is entirely wheelchair accessible

• Situated in the middle of a number of wonderful parking lots and ramps & easily accessible via light rail, bus, shut-tle, and taxi

• Includes professional and experienced staff to help you manage and/or create your event

• Perfect location with flexible lighting, audio, and green-screen capabilities for photo and video shoots

• Offers additional business services ranging from keynote speaking to creative consulting to video scripting and much more for incredible package pricing

• Is set up to help you create a super-green event

Sweeney and team are out on the road tak-ing part in professional events and speaking engagements hundreds of days each year. And we’ve been doing it for several years. In that time, we’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to put on a successful event. We can help you take a fresh look at your event, provide an outside view that challenges the status quo and create an unforgettable experience for your attendees that’s not only different, but fun and motivational too.

Event Consulting

What our clients say about the ETC

Thanks for hosting a fabulous event for our customers. They really loved it and keep telling me that over and over again. We will be sure to keep you guys (and ladies) in mind for our future events. You have an amazing team of

people there! Lisa A Holmberg, Sr. Channel Marketing Manager

It has been a pleasure working with you and I appreciate how prompt and organized you were with every little de-tail we needed, you did an excellent job!! Also, would you please let the crew at BNW know we truly appreciated all the great work they did? The performance was great and our customer feedback from the event has been positive, thank you to the BNW team for making it a custom event for us and making it so enjoyable! Jennifer Nguyen, Channel Marketing Manager

John, the event was wonderful. I have never received so much positive

feedback before. Your team was wonderful to work with in every aspect. I will highly recommend you to anyone who asks. Thanks everyone for making me look good!!! Hope to return in the future. Michelle Fritz, Hays Com-panies

We had a very good event yesterday. Your team did a great job and I got a lot of feed-back that people liked the venue. We’ll be back. Kennedy Cole, iSquad, Strategy & Innovation

Thank you for hosting our team to see your first class facility. You have a lot to be proud of ~ even if you mort-

gaged your children’s education. I think it will all turn out fine! Debbie Estes, Event Marketing

You guys rock! You are truly an inspiration. My offer always stands…whenever you guys need any volunteer event/experiential marketing consultation/support, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’d be honored to sup-port BNW. Stacy L. Verstraete , SR Manager Event Marketing

Thank you for an amazing day at the Brave New Workshop! Your team is professional, knowledgeable, friendly and gets it!! You delivered on ex-actly what you said you would and our staff was amazed with the talent and industry knowledge. You proved that you are experts in your field and own a first rate venue for our convention, corporate and wedding visitors! Amy Freese, Director of Partnership Marketing, Meet Minneapolis CVA

Our evening was totally enjoyed by all of the attendees. Was fun to have some laughs as well as bring very good training back with us. Please thank your entire staff for being such great hosts! Everyone was very friendly

and helpful! Hope to see you again! Joyce Williamson, Customer Visit Event Manager

I cannot say: Thank You (enuf) Great Job (enuf)Outstanding Customer Service (enuf) What an Extraordinary Event (enuf) Please know you have new fans from UnitedHealth-Care and I will absolutely spread the word and share the love of the Brave New Workshop.

Thanks again and please share our huge “thanks” to your team! Way to go, Nancy [Jacobs]! Susan McClodden, Sr Executive Assistant, Office of Gail Boudreaux CEO

Thank you for a wonderful evening! It was fantastic, and I have been barraged by texts and emails from colleagues who were blown away by the whole experience. I’m grateful to you and your entire team for your help. Thanks again. Elena Mcfann, Chief of Staff for Gail K. Boudreaux CEO

Thank you so much for the wonderful venue you offered us last Tuesday. The meeting was a success. I appreciate your willingness to share with us. Hopefully we can do it again, very soon! Judy Zetterlund, Project Administrator

I want to thank you on behalf of the Giving WoMN organization and myself for helping us put together a fantastic “Annual Meeting” event! Your enthu-

siasm, organizational skills and attention to detail helped immensely. It was a pleasure working with you and the staff at the BNW. Cara McAdaragh, Sr Marketing Consultant, RBC Wealth Management

What our clients say about the ETC continued

Thank you so much for hosting us on Tuesday, it was a wonderful experience. The sin-cerity, generosity, and sense of purpose and mission is very clear at BNW, everyone was buzzing afterwards about how much fun they had and the applicability they saw to their

roles as innovators - well done! Ken Coogan, Coogan Partners, Innovation Share Group event

Your prompt reply, your casts, and the space– are just terrific. Just

watched someone from Living Principles (on the sly while doing my excel spreadsheets at work). So cool. I’m sure the folks at NetImpact will be back! Michelle Hartke, Minneapolis Board Member

Thank you so much for all your help in making our event wonderful! The space was great, all your staff is awesome, and everything went very smoothly. Your efforts helped us strengthen connections among business and academia looking to move greener (better) products into the market, protecting our health and the environment. We also appreciate being invited to the show -- it was hilarious -- I will let all my friends know about it. Sophia Ginis, MN Green Chemistry Forum

I’ve heard rave reviews about the venue, food and show! They thought the food was excellent,

bar was great, and the show was very funny. Everyone seemed to have a great time and the owners have com-plimented that it was one of the best parties yet! Thanks again for all of your help with everything and I would defi-nitely recommend this event to others! Tamara Wagner, Regional Manager

Just wanted to reach out and tell you what an excellent time we had at the event. I believe everyone enjoyed the

experience and am confident we will use of these practic-es in the future. Jason N. Linkswiler, Business Manag-er - Auto Care Market Center, 3M Automotive

You will be receiving an official thank you from Capella; but I wanted to take a moment to express gratitude for a tremendously successful and fun meeting this morning at your wonderful Brave New Workshop.

We’ve been hearing great comments from employees – of course a favorite was the Lanyard Fashion show (Lauren’s runway modeling, Joe’s perfect rendition of swiping the lanyard, Katie’s lanyard lock scene - all hilarious)

John and Caleb- don’t know how you pull it off- it’s as if you work daily at Capella. You know us well. You are excep-tional partners and Emcees. The audience was so engaged and appreciative of the smart humor and the messages that you brought to the production.

Margi, congratulations on our first ever remote broadcast from The Tower. Very exciting for us and thanks for your involvement. I heard, “Margi was phenomenal! She let us know what was going to happen. It was nice to have her there for the room captains. She was uplifting!” (real quotes). Thanks Taj/Margi. (-:

Of course, the event logistics and ushering - so buttoned up thanks to Heidi, Amelia and team lead, Sammi. We love working with all of you! Congratulations. Beth Beutell, MBA CMP Event Manager, Corporate and University Events

We are still getting positive feedback on the meeting, everyone had a wonderful experience! It was wonderful working with you, we appreciat-

ed all you did for our group. You made planning this event very easy, the event itself ran smoothly and was well organized! Thanks again for ensuring our event was a success! Donna Trushenski, Admin Assistant and Todd Spaude, VP IT Development and Lori Manecke, Managing Director I.T. Planning/Delivery

I just wanted to send you a huge thank you for yesterday’s event! The feedback that we received from all attendees was extremely favorable (I’m sending along one of the many that we have been receiving). I hope you too felt that the audience was engaged

and loving every minute of it. Thanks again - and look forward to future opportunities. Kathleen Haase, Group Marketing Manager, CRV Events

“Laugh and Learn” Improvisational Workout with BNW facilitators In our Laugh and Learn Workouts, BNW facilitators share some of the key improv-based behaviors that allow them to collaborate and innovate so rapildy. The team demonstrates these behaviors using live improv perfor-mance and teaches participants how to practice them first hand. Our facilitators create a safe environment of active participation, fun on-your-feet learning, laughter and discussion. The goal of the session is to bridge the behaviors participants practice to the behaviors that increase their productivity at work to help them be better collaborators and communicators.

Created in partnership with company leaders and powered by Brave New Workshop (BNW) owner John Sweeney, BNW’s Creative Outreach programs use the assets of im-provisational theatre to ignite workplace performance. Companies hoping to modify a behavior, teach a skill, or deliver a message seek out BNW’s Creative Outreach team because the resulting collaboration creates experiences so unique attendees are driven to laugh, learn, think and change.

Additional ETC / Creative Outreach Services: Speaking and Training

John Sweeney Signature ExperiencesTheatre owner, keynote speaker, improviser, corporate trainer, and author John Sweeney is unlike any other business speaker out there and his road to success has not been a traditional one.

Sweeney’s diverse path has included becoming the owner of the nation’s longest running comedy thea-tre, having a quote from his book appear on millions of Starbucks cups, earning the role of trusted advisor to leaders from some of the best companies in the world and dancing shirtless on national TV.

The driving force behind Sweeney’s success is found in the results he helps clients achieve by effectively bridging improvisational performance skills and behaviors to workplace innovation through his speeches and training. His improvisational insights have res-onated with a broad spectrum of for-ward-thinking business leaders from some of the most innovative and largest companies in the world including Twin Cities favorites such as General Mills, UnitedHealth Group, Ameriprise, Thrivent, Target, Thomson Reuters, Best Buy, Ecolab, 3M, Honeywell and Land O’Lakes.

Additional Speakers / TrainersIn addition to John Sweeney, the BNW has a team of seasoned speakers, facilitators, and coach-es. With more corporate training experience than seems possible for true-to-the-heart performers, BNW speakers share their own personal improv-based tools, experiences and behaviors in diverse and entertaining ways.

BNW Programs for WomenUsing the improvisational mindset, the bold and funny women of the BNW teach other women how to hone key personal and leadership skills to help them achieve goals faster and more easily. Our team sprin-kles interactive keynotes and training sessions with plenty of humor and creates a safe space for learners to stretch and practice behaving and thinking in a new way. Our sessions focus on variety of topics, from ways to increase one’s creative confidence to approaching problem-solving from a new point of view to

practicing taking deliberate action rather than responding to what is expected. We believe that women are an undeniable force in building the future of our planet, and investing and supporting their advancement is a key factor for ensuring global prosperity. We hope to inspire women to believe in the power of their ideas more of-ten, remain engaged with their companies and communities in an intentional way, and contribute their passion, ideas and unique points of view to the advancement of sustainable business and social practices.

John offers highly entertaining and thought-provoking keynote speeches and interactive training sessions that vary in length from 90 minutes to a full day. Drawing on his deep understanding of the skills, behaviors and cultural norms that exist within a great improvisational theater scene, John will complement your messages and help jumpstart or reinforce the necessary behavioral changes. John will compel your audience to absorb key learning points while they are doubled over with laughter. Another key differentiation from typical keynote speakers and facilitators is our robust information gathering process. John will spend as much time as necessary with as many leaders as possible to ensure that his messages reinforce your messages.

Executive Talk Show The BNW can transform a “podium parade” into an entertaining and effective “executive talk show” (ala Carson/Letterman/Leno). Clients provide specific questions that our host will ask executives, setting them up to deliver their messages. This familiar format allows executives to deliver important infor-mation in a more relaxed and conversational way audiences appreciate. Our host can also provide supportive encourage-ment and ask executives to elaborate on certain points or comment on one another’s messages throughout the “talk show.”

Though we know live entertainment, especially comedy, may be perceived as risky, we also know how to do it really, really well. First, we listen to you and consider the sensibilities and level of intelligence of your audience. Then, we avoid HR moments and taboo topics while remaining true to our comedy theatre roots.

Additional ETC / Creative Outreach Services: Entertainment

Master of CeremoniesCaleb McEwen and/or Margi Simmons can serve as a humorous and engaging emcee(s) for the meeting. Their duties often include housekeeping announce-ments, introduction of presenters, and appropriate, humorous running commentary in between pro-gram segments. They will keep the agenda moving, provide communication and theme continuity, and will assist with transitions between the program segments. They are highly competent and great at thinking on their feet and are equally flexible and skilled at improvising if last minute adjustments or program changes arise.

Live After-Dinner EntertainmentTalented Brave New Workshop actors will perform improvisational comedy to fill the room with laughter and, if desired, can reinforce the messages the group is exposed to throughout the day. Our Creative Directors will help determine the right tone and structures for the improvisational performance prior to the event based on discussion with our clients. With a perfect blend of corporate content, appropriate humor and big time funny, our performances are often the highlight of the event according to client-conducted follow-up surveys.

Custom “Headliners” Comedy Show

The BNW, the oldest satirical comedy theatre in the nation, is happy to share with your group a show root-ed in our comedic tradition - from helping to develop American improvisation to creating comedy with the look and feel of Saturday Night Live meets Whose Line is it Anyway?. Talented Brave New Workshop actors will perform a 30-50 minute custom improvisational comedy show to fill the room with laughter and create a unique shared experience for the group. With a perfect blend of corporate content, appropriate G-PG 13 humor and big time funny, our performances are often the highlight of the event.

Our process BNW will ask key organizational repre-sentatives to complete a questionnaire so that we can craft comedy specific to the group’s industry and client messages. After reviewing the completed question-naire, the BNW team will conduct a follow up conference call to further arm our-selves with the details and insight needed to create a truly custom improvised show.

What does the show look like? BNW improvisers ask the audience for specific suggestions and perform our world-renowned improvised “instant theater,” incorporating the spontaneity of the moment, specific suggestions from the audience and the custom information gathered during the preparation process described above. The show will consist of several three- to ten-minute “improvi-sational structures,” each with its own unique premise and set of rules.

The Danger CommitteeThe Danger Committee performs a unique blend of comedy, juggling and knife throwing that inevitably wows audiences and keeps them on the edge of their seats. The Danger Committee’s Jason LeMay, Mick Lunzer and Caleb McEwen combine over fifty years of performance and can provide short or long perform-ance pieces as energy boosters for the day experience or evening program, or full scale after-dinner enter-tainment. Caleb is the acclaimed artistic director of the Brave New Workshop and Mick and Jason are both graduates of the Student Union (our school of improvi-sation). More information about the Danger Commit-tee (as well as some stellar videos) can be found at http://www.thedangercommittee.com.

Internal Message Delivery The BNW team of consultants, actors, writers, speakers & trainers will work with you on designing, creating and executing internal communications in an impactful way. In an age of geographical, time, budget and talent challenges we want to help you deliver messages within your organization in a way that is sticky, meaningful and worth your investment. New initiatives, products, faces, policies, strategies, goals or events can all generate buzz and excitement if presented with humor and a creative touch.

Most recently, we’ve been praised for our video and audio work with clients featuring real and fictional characters, executives and employees.

Though we know live entertainment, especially comedy, may be perceived as risky, we also know how to do it really, really well. First, we listen to you and consider the sensibilities and level of intelligence of your audi-ence. Then, we avoid HR moments and taboo topics while remaining true to our comedy theatre roots.

Additional ETC / Creative Outreach Services: Entertainment Continued and Video Messaging

Custom Sketch ComedyA creative director gathers your information through questionnaires and personal interviews to incorporate specific messages and “insider information” into scripted material. Custom scripts generally go through two “treatments” where your representatives give input to the CO creative director as he/she develops the scripts. Throughout the process, we offer guidance on how the art of comedy writing and perform-ance will be used to maximize the impact of your message. All material is subject to final client review.

Energizing VideosThe Brave New Workshop also works with clients to script, cast, and produce videos that address specific goals for the live experience to be played at the events and used after. We can package messages in a variety of memorable ways, always paired with our undeniable approach to humor. Our creative and production process follows the way we produce our scripted comedy sketches: information gather-ing and input from you, creation of “treatments” for you to review and choose from, draft creation for your approval and finally production. Possibilities for video include but not limited to:

• Save-the-day videos

• Teaser videos specific to event messages

• Energizer videos to play throughout the event

• Celebration videos to honor attendees

• Man on the street videos to document and archive the event and/or attendees

Improv & Scripted Comedy VignettesThe BNW will produce entertainment vignettes to re-inforce relevant messages and add a humorous kick to the evening program. Depending on the agenda, our vignettes can be strategically interspersed throughout the event - keeping the energy and level of audience engagement high.

“Let’s See It” Speaker ReinforcementThe BNW cast will dramatically and comically portray specific scenarios or points during executive presentations, content modules, or awards categories. For instance, perhaps an executive presenter has just mentioned best and worst case scenarios for customer service. After describing the scenario, the executive simply says “Now, let’s see it!” and the BNW cast performs a quick, 30-60 second vignette comically portraying those best and worst cases. We have found that this format keeps the attendees engaged and makes the speakers look great!

Holiday Entertainment & Exclusive ShowsThe BNW holiday production at our historic theatre is an audience favorite every year, and a tradition for many groups and families—tickets sell fast and performances sell-out far in advance. As a corporate option to sold out shows, we provide an “exclusive” performance of BNW holiday material, customized to the extent you choose, at any location that meets our technical requirements. Throughout the year, our thea-tre produces originally-scripted sketch comedy shows that are timely, topical insightful, and packed with a satirical bite you’ll not find anywhere else. We often reserve private screenings (minimum of 100 attendees) and can help you create an event that you and your co-workers will talk about for weeks, months, maybe even years. For more information about shows now playing, please visit bravenewworkshop.com.

BNW Theatre Rental

The Brave New Workshop (BNW) has been writing, performing, and producing original sketch comedy, music and improvisation longer than any other theatre in the United States. Currently owned by husband and wife, John Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl, the BNW has two locations in Minneapolis and three distinct lines of busi-ness. The BNW is a unique place to laugh, learn, think, and play. It’s even been known to transform a few lives.

BNW Comedy Theatre The longest running satirical comedy theatre in the country that for more than 50 years has been kicking out smart, topical, and hilarious satire via originally scripted sketch comedy and late night improv shows.

BNW Student UnionThe company’s school for improv, acting and writing classes teaches nearly 200 students each week and continues to build momentum as a nationally recog-nized destination for improv learning & performance.

In addition to the ETC event venue, the BNW is happy to offer our 230-seat 2nd floor theater as an additional meeting venue by itself or in conjunction with an ETC space rental for a total building buyout. The upstairs theatre was remodeled in 2011 and possesses all the accoutrements of a performing theatre and stage, mak-ing it a wonderful addition to multi-purpose events and customized shows.

About the Brave New Workshop

BNW Creative OutreachBringing its speaking, training, entertaining, and circus-like talents to more than 100 companies and organizations each year, the Creative Out-reach division is the fastest growing component of the BNW. Creative Outreach services range from keynote speaking featuring John Sweeney to customized training to video scripting and production as well as live entertainment.

Please see the ETC Rental Agreement, the ETC Video Shoot Rental and/or ETC Rate Sheet for detailed fees. In general, rental prices begin at $2,250 and are dependent on day of the week, additional needs and may be discounted or waived if the space is rented in conjunction with ad-ditional BNW Creative Outreach services.

FEES

BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP EXPERIMENTAL THINKING CENTRE (ETC)

824 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Heidi Cerdas

Tel: (612) 332-6620, Ext. 102

etc.bravenewworkshop.com

EMAIL

etc@bravenewworkshop.com

CONTACT US

ETC website: etc.bravenewworkshop.com

ETC Photos and 360 Virtual Tour and Facility Details http://etc.bravenewworkshop.com/VenueDetails.aspx

Brave New Workshop: bravenewworkshop.com

BNW Creative Outreach: bravenewworkshop.com/creativeoutreach

BNW Theatre Performances: theatre.bravenewworkshop.com

BNW Student Union: studentunion.bravenewworkshop.com

ADDITIONAL LINKS John Sweeney: johnsweeney.co

Sweeney’s speaker video humorously addresses how difficult it is too choose a speaker, any speaker!

Sweeney’s demo reel

BNW History and Alumni (condensed into 8 minutes of video)

About BNW Founder Dudley Riggs

Sweeney’s Chief Learning Officer magazine article about practice

Return to Civility book site: www.return-to-civility.com