LIVE THEATRE THAT INSPIRES EXCITEMENT FOR MATH AND SCIENCE
Our Story
At the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival, Sadie Bowman and Marc Gutman premiered a highly unlikely smash hit: Calculus: The Musical! It was the product of a funny math teacher and a smart comedian, and it struck a resounding chord in the education world. In 2016, Bowman and Gutman were joined by actor/writer/one-time-astrophysics major Ricky Coates, and with him came an extention of subject matter beyond Calculus and into the sciences. In 2023, theatre creator K. Brian Neel added his experience in playwriting, performance and design, and Matheatre expanded to include not only live musicals, but immersive experiences and other STEM-based entertainment projects under the name of History Science Theatre.
Now a 501(c)(3) entity with international reach, Matheatre and History Science Theatre work with museums and science centers, libraries, and planetaria in addition to high schools and colleges worldwide. Beyond performing, we create unique theatre and interactive theatrical experiences on commission for science education institutions, and offer workshops to educators and science communicators. Matheatre is a member of ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers).
Artistic Director, Tech Manager, Touring Performer
Ricky Coates
Born and raised in Cheyenne, WY, Ricky received his BFA from the University of Arizona and has been working as a professional actor for over twenty years. He started college as an astrophysics major and says he has finally found his dream job–playing a scientist on stage and working full-time in theatre. Since 2009, he has been a certified Teaching Artist.
Co-Founder, Board President, Music Director
Sadie Bowman
Besides her years of educational theatre experience with Matheatre, Sadie has previously served as Education Manager at Know Theatre of Cincinnati and a coordinator and performer for Thinking People’s Theatre of Portland, Oregon. She has been part of sketch and musical comedy groups in various cities. She holds a BA degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Associate Director, Touring Performer
K. Brian Neel
K. Brian Neel comes to Matheatre with more than thirty years of experience in professional theatre. Brian's eclectic resume includes musical performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, stage directing Verdi's Louisa Miller for Puget Sound Opera, clown work for Teatro Zinzanni and performing in the web based science fiction series, The Coffee Table, as well as nine solo theatre pieces.
Co-Founder, Billing Manager, Audio Producer
Marc Gutman
Marc toured Calculus: The Musical! from 2006-08. Before and after developing the show, he worked as a Calculus teacher in Minneapolis, MN. He continues to create original songs about math and science. Marc holds a Masters degree in Math Education, a BS in Mathematics and an Electronic Art minor from the University of Minnesota.
Billing Associate
Rosalie Norris Gutman
Rosalie is an accomplished musician and level 40+ Pokémon trainer. She wrangles paperwork and supports Matheatre behind the scenes.
Based in the United States, we travel worldwide to museums, colleges, high schools, libraries, theatres and any place science and arts can collide. Our professional theatre artists perform for and work with educators, students and laypeople to enrich science communication with the power of story. We believe that scientific literacy, curiosity, and imagination are necessary components of a healthy society, and these are values we seek to promote through our work.​​