Maia Maiden leads Ordway theater fellowship for budding artists

I really try to make this a cohesive 360 experience that extends beyond the Ordway walls.”

Maia Maiden

Audio

Maia Maiden leads Ordway theater fellowship for budding artists_Talia McWright.mp3

Tears streamed down 62-year-old Myra Curry’s face as she sat in a circle receiving praise from her cohort fellows. One after the other, people took turns telling Curry how proud, and inspired they were by her.
“We did a speech where she told a story that was deeply personal, and it just felt like that speech needed to be heard by others,” said 2024 GreenRoom fellow Imagine Joy. “I’m happy that she was brave enough to do that in this space.”
GreenRoom is a six week, paid intensive musical theater training fellowship that focuses on uplifting intergeneration BIPOC artists in Minnesota at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul. Artists must have a background in either singing, dancing or acting. Development for the fellowship began in 2021, and the first official cohort was formed in 2022. Maia Maiden, director of arts, community and engagement and the Ordway, leads the fellowship, but it was Kelly Foster Wader who she says “planted the seed,” for the program.
“The program is custom made to bring them [fellows] to their next level.” Maiden said. “So it’s going to be challenging, but it’s well worth it.”
A professional dancer, as well as a former medical laboratory technician educator at Rasmussen University, Maiden had the knowledge to build an impactful curriculum for artists interested in honing their craft. Along with help from supporters, Maiden fused her passions of program development and art to create GreenRoom.
“By nature I am not a musical theater artist,” Maiden said. “I’m a dancer. I come from a dance background, so you can imagine creating something that you don’t do, but what I do know about myself is that I can create anything with excellence.”
The application process consists of three steps: written application, video submission, and an interview with the faculty, Maiden and GreenRoom manager Oloade Gbadamosi-Alashe. Applicants must have less than three years of professional experience in the arts post high school. The process is highly competitive and, in 2023, 11 fellows were chosen out of 66 applicants. This year 10 artists were chosen to participate.
“I always dreamed of having the opportunity to access an education space in the performing arts, to be able to go to a school or conservatory, but that was never a reality for me,” said 2024 fellow Paulina Morera Quesada, age 24. “Being able to be here and learn everyday in an environment that is not competitive or toxic has been incredible and rewarding.”
Maiden named the program GreenRoom, because the GreenRoom is the space in a theater where people prepare. She said that “Green” represents newness and growth, while “Room” is about expansion and space. That is why the G and R are capitalized. The GreenRoom fellowship trains artists, equipping them with new skills and increased confidence to emerge on stage as even stronger artists than they were before.
To ensure that Maiden brought Wader’s vision to life, she researched and formed relationships with multi-talented artists across Minnesota who would instruct the fellows in different areas of artistry. Her intention was that the fellowship would be intensive.
“People had to say yes to this,” Maiden said. “It’s very unique. It’s the only one of its kind in Minnesota.”
One of the most pivotal components of the fellowship is that it provides fellows with networking and relationship building opportunities. The fellows take classes taught by masterclass teachers, and well-established, Minnesota-based artists. The GreenRoom faculty each bring their own knowledge and wisdom expertise, which Maiden honored by encouraging them to create classes that aligned with their skills and would push the fellows towards growth.
“In our interview Maia Maiden had said to me, ‘You’re going to be meeting people that it would take you years to access or even know who they are, and you’re going to be meeting them and learning from them in a matter of weeks.’ and she has been absolutely correct,” 2024 fellow Ebony Ramquist said. “Not only had she kept her word in that, but above and beyond even.”
During the six week program, the fellows train at the Ordway from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can have between four to five classes a day. Examples of classes include the Alexander technique, sound bathing, breath work, yoga and business. Each week fellows have a one-on-one session and mentoring with each faculty member and Maiden to check in on their experience and plans for the future. Near the end of the six weeks, fellows also receive professional headshots done by Diggy Made studios.
“I really try to make this a cohesive 360 experience that extends beyond the Ordway walls,” Maiden said.
Wellness and self-care are an emphasized component of the GreenRoom curriculum, and the fellows experience this as they discover their talents and challenge their insecurities. Thirty-two-year-old 2024 fellow Bri Salhus came in as a dancer, and was encouraged through GreenRoom to find her voice as a singer.
“I never realized how emotional everything would be and the things that I would move through during this experience,” Salhus said. “I think there’s only so much you can talk through in talk therapy until it can come out through art. It’s just a different experience, a different kind of healing.”
The fellows also find strength in each other, as they walk through vulnerable moments together during and outside of classes. Salhus recalled a moment when Imagine Joy sent her a text message after she’d had a difficult day. She said she felt seen in that moment. Program manager Gbadamosi-Alashe described the fellows as a family rather than a collective.
“In a space where coming into this – most of us didn’t know each other – we’ve all exhibited incredible courage to share some of the deepest parts of ourselves with each other, and it’s helped us grow closer and invigorated this sense of community,” said 2024 fellow Kyle Camay.
After the six weeks, the fellows have a closing session free and open to the public in which the fellows will share their craft with the public. This year’s presentation will be on Aug. 20 at the Ordway.
“I went to the presentation last year and saw a lady named Patricia Lacey who’s one year older than me get up there and do her thing, and after raising three kids I wanted to discover if I still have my art, and I do,” Curry said. “It’s been amazing working with the experienced instructors. They’re very talented. They’re very wise, as well as the masterclass and guest speakers.”