New works for a new generation.
OUR TEAM
Founder, Artistic Director - Tyler Michaels King - tmichaels@trademarktheater.org - he/him
Tyler Michaels King is a director, performer, and improviser based in the Twin Cities. He has worked and played with the Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theater Company, Theater Latté Da, History Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Illusion Theater, Flying Foot Forum, and Minneapolis Musical Theater as well as many others. Tyler holds the 2014 Emerging Artist Ivey Award and the Mark Twain Comedic Performance Award from the Kennedy Center. He has been named "Artist of the Year 2014" by City Pages, "Best Actor" by Minnesota Monthly, and Minneapolis' "Best Actor in a Musical" by Broadwayworld.com. He has devised new works with Live Action Set and Newton Theater, is a co-creator of Once Upon A Chalkboard one of 2013's Top 15 Fringe shows, and co-directed 7th House Theater's Jonah and the Whale in the Guthrie's Dowling studio. Tyler is also a founding member of The Bearded Company who perform weekly at HUGE Theater. tylermichaelsking.com
Managing Director - Merritt Rodriguez - mrodriguez@trademarktheater.org - she/they
is a mission driven, innovative and strategic leader in the arts community and beyond. An experienced artist and producer, Merritt spent five years as a freelance designer before transitioning into arts leadership as the Production Manager for Penumbra Theatre and later the Development Production Manager for the Guthrie Theater. During the pandemic Merritt transitioned into Healthcare Technology, serving in strategic and operational roles as the Director of Customer Solutions, driving product and market development and implementation success. She currently also serves as the Product Line Manager for Trading Card Games at Fantasy Flight Games, focused on market strategy and consumer insights. Throughout her time in the corporate sphere, she has been dedicated to local theater as an active patron, mentor and consultant. Merritt is driven by collaboration and committed to excellence in every project she supports.
Trademark would also like to recognize the many contributions of Co-Founder Tyler Mills to our first eight seasons.
Advancement Manager- Kajsa Jones-Higgins - kjones@trademarktheater.org - she/her
Kajsa Jones is a director, arts manager, and educator in the Twin Cities. Previous positions include Managing Director at Merrill Arts Center and Development Associate at Hennepin Theatre Trust. She’s passionate about working with young artists and is the resident Musical Director at East Ridge High School. As a director she has also worked with Artistry, Merrill Arts Center, and Ashland Productions. Kajsa received her B.A in Management from Luther College.
Our Board
Board Chair: Christopher Wentzlaff - Community and Philanthropic Advocate
Treasurer: Jean Hartman
Secretary: Jonna Kosalko - Coldwell Banker Burnet - Realtor
Paula Garland - Normandale Community College - Faculty
Kate Lawson
Andrew Leshovsky - Lyric Arts Company of Anoka - Managing Director
Bruce Manning - Community Advocate and Volunteer
Kristin Matejcek - MN Opera - Stewardship and Engagement Director
Tyler Michaels King (ex-officio) - Trademark Theater - Artistic Director/Founder
David Orbuch - Community Volunteer
Joel D. Rainville - Chanhassen Dinner Theatres - Director of Marketing & Sales
Hilary Smith - First Peoples Fund - Associate Director of Development
Catriona Stewart
Anna Tift
Andrea Trimble Hart
Legal Counsel: Joshua A. Dorothy - Gregerson, Rosow, Johnson & Nilan, LTD
