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Theatre of the Relatively Talentless

The Theatre of the Relatively Talentless (T.O.R.T.) is a theatrical company that puts on musicals and other performances written, produced, directed and performed by students of the University of Minnesota Law School. TORT is a duly registered, non-profit, campus life student organization through the University of Minnesota Student Activities Office and operates under the purview of the Law School. Formed in 2002, its goal is to "provid[e] law students and faculty with a desperately needed creative outlet." By far the most visible activity that TORT engages in is the annual Law School Musical, but also may appear at various law-related functions under the aliases of "The Law School Singers" and "Law School Vocal Ambassadors."

Membership in TORT is traditionally open to "all law students without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, class standing, political preferences, bluebooking skill, or ability to use the term a fortiori in a sentence." TORT is governed year-round by a 9-member Executive Board traditionally including two producers, a Law School Musical director, a music director, a technical director, a head writer, a treasurer, a VIP liaison, and a choreographer. As TORT has become more established, the cast has grown to a current size of more than 80 members. Participants are known as the TORTfeasors.

Musical

Traditionally acted, written, directed, produced, and run entirely by students, the musical is an annual event held in late February or early March of each year. The event draws over a thousand audience members each year and features cameos by law school professors, deans, staff, alumni and other distinguished members of the Minnesota legal community.

The theme, which is kept a secret to all but the Executive Board until auditions, is chosen during the summer. Auditions are held during the fall semester, and the script is written and theater is reserved before spring semester.

Cast members are assigned either to lead parts or to the chorus. Chorus members may also have speaking lines, and often impersonate law school professors, staff, or administrators.

Executive Board members for the following year are elected on the night of each final performance.

Current Show

The 2009 show is currently being written. The theme will not be announced until after auditions in October/November 2008.

Past Shows

2003: Wizard of Fritz - a spoof on The Wizard of Oz, performed in the Open Book Loft in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2004: Law Wars - a spoof on Star Wars, performed in the Coffman Memorial Union Theatre on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota.
2005: Walter Wonka & the Lawyer Factory - a spoof on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, performed in the St. Paul Student Center Theatre on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.
2006: West Bank Story - a spoof on West Side Story, performed in the St. Paul Student Center Theatre at the University of Minnesota
2007: Frankenlaw - a spoof on Frankenstein, performed in the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.
2008: Robin Hood, Esq. - a spoof on Robin Hood, performed in the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Cameos

2003:

VIP

Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson ('68)
Federal District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen ('81)

Law School

Dean Alex Johnson
Professor Ann Burkhart
Professor Guy-Uriel Charles
Professor Jim Chen
Professor John Matheson
Professor Judith T. Younger

2004:

VIP

Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
Then-Attorney General of Minnesota Mike Hatch ('73)
Federal District Court Judge James M. Rosenbaum ('69)
Hennepin County District Court Judge (then Chief Judge) Kevin S. Burke ('75)

Law School

Dean Alex Johnson
Professor Dale Carpenter
Professor Maury Landsman
Professor John Matheson
Susan Gainen, Director, Career & Professional Development Center

2005:

VIP

Former Vice President Walter Mondale ('56)
Then-Hennepin County District Attorney Amy Klobuchar (currently a U.S. Senator representing Minnesota)
Hennepin County District Court Judge Stephen Aldrich ('71)

Law School