Namir Smallwood, a 2006 graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program, and Vanessa Voskuil, a 2001 graduate of the BFA Dance Program, were recently named by the "Minneapolis Star Tribune" as two of eight "Young Artists on the Verge."
Theatre Critic Rohan Preston wrote that Smallwood has shown "rare versatility" since entering the professional acting community, citing his roles as Jesus in "On the Open Road" at Penumbra Theatre and Byron in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" at Children's Theatre Company (CTC). His upcoming work includes another role at CTC, this time in "Bud, Not Buddy" and in April, he will play Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Guthrie Theater.
Dance Critic Camille LeFevre said of Voskuil "see one of her compelling performances, interlaced with surrealist sensibility and bracing intelligence, and you won't forget her." Her upcoming performances include shows with Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater at the Ritz Theater; a performance with Live Action Set, which she is one of the founders of, in April at the Southern Theater.
