Never silent, always revolutionary

"America's Foremost Theatre of Political Satire."

“Hooray! The San Francisco Mime Troupe is back! And they are just in time with a topical show about our current political mess… the new musical sizzles with humor, insights, and warnings of impending political disaster. They deliver hilarious and cutting satire that engages our brains.”

“The talented four-person cast takes the audience on a sharp, satirical journey through the evolution of the so-called American Dream. This high-quality production masterfully examines how one person’s dream can become another’s nightmare and asks the poignant question: “Was Democracy Just a Dream?” “American Dreams ” doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics, providing a thought-provoking and funny commentary on the challenging issues we are facing today.”

Theatrius

"The San Francisco Mime Troupe once again comes through with a thought-provoking musical comedy about the state of the nation with AMERICAN DREAMS. One of the great delights in each SFMT production is that no matter how sure you are that you are on the right side of history, there will be something to shake you up, and rightly so."

Killer Movies

"It's altogether enough to rouse the most complacent among us. The Mime Troupe's agenda is never subtle, but this company wears its heart on its raggle-taggle sleeve, and you gotta love 'em for it."

SF GATE

“Let SF Mime Troupe’s American Dreams serve as a waking vision of the nightmare a Trump return would bring. We can’t predict what’ll happen the morning after the election, but American Dreams presents an entertaining reason to keep fighting the good fight.”

48 Hills

"S.F. Mime Troupe elicits strong reactions, laughs during Independence Day show."
San Francisco Chronicle

The American Dream. It used to mean a job, a house, a car, a spouse, 2.5 kids, and a .4 dog. But what does it mean now? For Gabriel Pearce, a Black man tired of liberal failures, on the day after the presidential election it means victory! Giving up on progressivism wasn’t easy, but casting his vote for a Conservative who promises to be grateful could mean a dream come true. However, for his daughter Paine - a teacher at a university caught between protesting students and threats to funding - it’s a nightmare! Or was the lost election just a dream? Or will A.I. catch fire, like Paine’s boyfriend Oliver sees in his nightmares? Do androids dream of electronic voting? Can we create the utopia of justice activist student Emma hopes for, or is the present just a dream within a dream within a dream? But whether you’re asleep or Woke what some see as nightmares others see as… American Dreams.

Written by Michael Gene Sullivan
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Savio
Directed by Velina Brown
Music Direction by Dred Scott

(click here for more press information)

AMERICAN DREAMS features a four-person cast that includes veteran SF Mime Troupe collective members:

Andre Amarotico* (Oliver, Harold); Michael Gene Sullivan* (Gabriel Pearse, Chancellor Quisling);

and features Lizzie Calogero* (Meliae Higgins, Emma); and Mikki Johnson (Paine Pearse).

* The Actors and Stage Manager employed in this production are members of Actors' Equity Association,

the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

And the amazing SFMT band featuring -
Caroline Chung (Bass)
Daniel Savio (Keyboards)
& Dred Scott (Drums, Percussion, additional keyboards)

FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE CLICK HERE!

Joan Holden
Jan 18, 1939 - Jan 19, 2024

¡Presente!

If we have been uncharacteristically silent about the death of longtime San Francisco Mime Troupe playwright Joan Holden on January 19, 2024, it is because we are deeply stunned and saddened by the passing of our dear comrade and friend. Also, out of respect for her family’s wishes, we have stepped back to let them grieve their loss privately and undisturbed.

Joan was a giant in a small body whose sudden absence highlights her importance to the SFMT and our larger artistic community. Her sharp intellect and desire for justice fueled her writing. With precision and wit, she invented stories that laid the workings of power bare and characters who - when confronted with wrong - strove to do right. Her work at the Mime Troupe shaped the company and its mission, contributing mightily to our legacy and longevity and launching the careers of numerous mentees.

Joan was many things to many people across the globe. Her tiny shoes will be impossible to fill. Yet we have the comfort of memories made with her and lessons learned from her. In due time we will gather to reminisce publicly in celebration of her achievements and life well-lived. Please watch this space for more information.

Condolences can be sent to her family at 1219 South Van Ness Avenue, Apartment #2 SF, CA 94110.

Joan Holden Jan 18, 1939 - Jan 19, 2024.jpeg

Joan on her last cross country train trip, Nov. 2023
Photo Credit: Kate Chumley

Listen to the Tales of the Resistance Volume 1 & 2 Original Soundtrack Now!

The soundtrack includes 56 tracks in total of original music created by the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Such as the themes from ‘Jade, For Hire!’, ‘Novice Nurse Susie Terse!’, ‘Dimension 2020’, ‘Mysterious Mysteries!’, and ‘JAILBREAK!’. Also including instrumental versions of the open and closing credits, as well as solo instrument versions of ‘Land Of The Free?’ and alternative versions of jingles like ‘Day Drinking’.

Get ready to relive the amazing music of ‘Tales of the Resistance’ or experience it for the first time! And as always, the same as our shows in the park all of this content will be the same price, FREE!

Please enjoy the soundtrack and if you are able to make a donation to help us create more of this kind of wonderful art please donate!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW!

STATEMENT ON VACCINATION

THE SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE STANDS FIRMLY IN SUPPORT OF GETTING VACCINATED TO COMBAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THIS IS NOT BECAUSE WE ARE "SHEEPLE" OR "SHILLS FOR BIG PHARMA." WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A HEALTHY DISTRUST OF AUTHORITY. THE FACT REMAINS THAT WE ARE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND WE SUPPORT SCIENTIFICALLY-BACKED MEASURES TO SAVE LIVES, REDUCE THE STRESS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS, AND GET BACK TO SEEING LIVE THEATRE. WE ARE ALL VACCINATED. YOU SHOULD BE TOO.
[AND YOUR MASK GOES OVER YOUR NOSE.]

The MimeCast!

The MimeCast is a series of biographical podcast interviews of current and veteran members of the Tony and OBIE award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe which focus on their personal stories before their time with SFMT, their development as artists, and their lives in general.

Hosted by SFMT member Michael Gene Sullivan

Click here for list of MimeCasts!

~ First ~
The San Francisco Mime Troupe acknowledges that, wherever we are performing, in every park or theatre, the Troupe is always performing on stolen land. Miwok, Washo, Pomo, Ohlone, Costanoan, Chumash, and so many more.

The Troupe also continues to stand in solidarity with those across the country protesting the brutal, violent, and systemic injustice inflicted upon Black Americans, the racist violence perpetrated upon Asian-Americans, and the xenophobic, hysterical oppression of our immigrant population.

To live without fear of death by the hands of police, to live without fear of death at the hands of domestic terrorists, to live without fear of economic oppression based on race - these are all things any American should be able to take for granted.

But the atrocities that are the root of those fears are baked into the foundations of this country.

We know that the United States was founded on stolen land, stolen labor, and that our institutions, the police specifically, were designed to maintain the inequality that benefits the owner class.

We encourage you, our audience, to always be part of the revolutionary solutions to support the serious goal of dismantling white and Capitalist supremacy.