History of CB Productions... In 2001, Carla Barwineck, CB Productions’ Artistic Director, saw the need to reach a new audience of young people. She began teaching two basic acting classes (Acting I and Improvisation) at a local homeschool organization for teenagers (YEAH). The two classes multiplied to four and quickly grew to eight as popularity for the program spread. In 2003 she offered a performance-based acting class showcasing an adapted version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, by William Shakespeare. The class of 10 teenagers performed it for one showing to an unexpected audience of over 200 people. The audience was thrilled, the hat was passed, and a theatre took roots.

Building on our excellent reputation, today CB Productions is well known for its Young Actors Training Program, which offers a series of classes; Acting Levels I-III, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Directing, Advanced Scene Study and more. Our season of plays include a Fall and a Spring production. Students, ages 13-18 who are trained in the Young Actors Training Program, audition for the plays, and perform for the public.

This coming 2010-2011 season, Ms Barwineck is thrilled to add a third show to CB Productions’ mainstage season of plays. This show will highlight and nurture the talents of college-age actors and musicians.

Mission: CB Productions is a theatre company dedicated to encouraging, inspiring, and illuminating young artists to experience the power of the arts while challenging them to reach their highest artistic potential. This company will bring to life some of the greatest stories ever told by some of the greatest storytellers, within an extremely supportive, and creative atmosphere. We believe by providing a professional arts experience and setting the highest standards, we will enable these young minds to uncover the artist within themselves, and instill a lifelong passion to bring the arts into every aspect of their lives.

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw

Carla Barwineck, Artistic Director and founder of CB Productions has worked as director, playwright, choreographer, and acting teacher and coach throughout the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota and Wisconsin for over 30 years. In the mid 1980’s she was contracted by MINNESOTA ALLIANCE FOR ARTS IN EDUCATION (MAAE) to write a handbook on how to incorporate creative dramatics into the classroom. Ms Barwineck worked as a professional actress for 12 years and has performed lead roles in many musicals such as Pump Boys and Dinettes, Evita, The Sound of Music and numerous others. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Theatre Arts, and was a homeschool parent for 2 years. She continues to teach the upper level acting classes and prides herself as a life-long learner and advocate of the arts.