We create authentic representations by prioritizing women writers and directors, transforming the creative landscape where women's stories achieve equal prominence, strengthening community bonds, and empowering future generations.
Women over fifty are rarely included in our culture’s stories, whether in the boardroom or the arts. In primitive cultures mature women were revered as sages and leaders but Western civilization regularly dismisses them as second-class citizens. We at PRIME are committed to the idea that the arts have the power to move the culture forward and we intend to be a contributor.
A good story, well told, can change the culture.
Everyone is welcome, onstage and off.
Excellence is the minimum standard.
— MAGGIE SMITH, ACTOR
Produce fully staged productions encompassing our mission and values.
Hire union talent from Day One.
Provide work to Twin Cities artists with pay.
Promote diversity, inclusion and equity.
Produce staged readings and develop community involvement in material selection.
Engage the community with the art.
Contribute to the conversation regarding mature women’s place in the culture.
Demonstrate and model respect to self and others.
Maintain personal and professional accountability.
Exhibit integrity at all times.
Be tenacious in the quest for excellence.
Encompass an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Honor the value of the artist.
LITTLE WARS
May 2017
TWO DEGREES
October 2018
MARJORIE PRIME
May 2019
Founded in 2016 by Alison Edwards, Elena Giannetti, and Shelli Place, PRIME Productions was created to address the lack of roles for mature actresses in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. From the start, our mission has been to showcase the talent of women over 50, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Our first production, LITTLE WARS by Steven Carl McCasland (2017), featured seven female roles, five of whom were over 50. That same year, we launched PRIME Voices: A Staged Reading Series, presenting three one-night readings—CHASING MANET, SKIN & BONE, and TWO WEEKENDS AND A DAY—highlighting the work of 11 women over 50.
Since then, PRIME has grown steadily: in 2018, we were invited to the Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio for TWO DEGREES by Tara Palmquist, and in 2019, we co-produced the Pulitzer-nominated MARJORIE PRIME at Park Square Theatre. The second season of PRIME Voices that fall included THREE FORKS, CITY OF CONVERSATION, and WAITING IN THE WINGS, featuring 19 mature Twin Cities artists in total.
Since 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19, PRIME has continued to champion artists through staged readings and introducing our interview series, also titled PRIME Voices. We returned to full productions with THE ROOMMATES by Jen Silverman and ANN by Holland Taylor.
In June of 2025, PRIME proudly announced a full eighth season—the first complete season since COVID. Season 8 began with FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY by Sarah Ruhl and will culminate in the world premiere of ABUELITA by Nathan Yungerberg, a play our team has been passionately developing.
In the Fall of 2025, PRIME Productions was honored with a Twin Cities Business Award for Equity Initiative, recognizing our ongoing commitment to representation and inclusion in the arts.
Looking ahead, PRIME is committed to growing as a vibrant and impactful Twin Cities theater company, continuing to platform artists in their PRIME and creating work that inspires, challenges, and connects communities.
Alison (she/her) has spent the last 40 years in New York acting in theatre, film, TV and, more recently, audio books. In New York City she performed at the Roundabout Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Riverside Shakespeare Festival. Alison was the standby for Judith Light on the National tour of WIT. Regionally she has performed in numerous productions including: the regional theatre premiers of WIT and SHADOWLANDS as well as WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, DOUBT, THE ROYAL FAMILY, 33 VARIATIONS, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THE LION IN WINTER, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST and numerous Shakespeare productions. She spent four seasons at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where she was an Artistic Associate. Since arriving in Minnesota, she has performed at the Guthrie, the Jungle, Park Square, Mixed Blood and Rochester Civic Theater. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. She is now, happily, a Twin Cities resident.
Shelli (she/her) is no stranger to global industrials and corporate shows having served as Producer/Director for programs in North America, Europe and Asia. She developed shows for the Walt Disney Company, directed the NFLA Player of the Year Awards as well as awards/incentive programs for ADP, Hewlett Packard and Wells Fargo. Her specialty is speech coaching for executives.
She has worked with former Presidents, Senators, TV/film celebrities and iconic sports figures. Shelli has directed plays, musical revues and fashion shows worldwide. MN credits include Direction/Choreography for Old Log, Minnesota Jewish Theater Company, Theater Unbound and the Hennepin Theater Trust. She is an experienced actress with credits from Shakespeare to sit-com, and a member of Actor’s Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, & ATAS (Television Academy of Arts and Sciences). Education: BFA in Acting, Southern Methodist University.
Magnolia (she/her) brings a background in gender equity, business development, and charitable giving to her work at PRIME Productions. She is passionate about the power of art to drive social change and is dedicated to supporting artists in building meaningful community connections. If you’re interested in partnerships or giving, reach out to her at magnolia@primeprods.org.
Anne Marie Gillen, Chair
CEO of Gillen Group, LLC
Susanne Egli, Vice Chair & Fundraising Committee Head
Owner of Communication Navigation, LLC
Nancy Monroe, Secretary & Marketing Committee Head
Editor for Franchise Times Corp.
Susan Eder/Treasurer
Alison Edwards, Artistic Director
Shelli Place, Artistic Director
PRIME Productions is proud of our multiple collaboration's with: THE ISLAND OF DISCARDED WOMEN the podcast!
Reach out to magnolia@PRIMEProds.org to start a conversation on partnering with PRIME!
