What is Loom Lab?
Loom Lab is a collaboration between movement artist Re Edahl and theatre artist Cal O'Brien. Founded in 2017 and born of a desire to create truly interdisciplinary work, Loom Lab uses devising as a frame upon which to weave stories, finding our voice at the intersection of genre, identity, and form. Our desire to devise new work is emergent of our commitment to process and development.
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We strive to facilitate a space that emphasizes care and maintains an awareness of the world beyond the walls of a studio. Guided by the belief that development processes can and should be joyful, we recognize that artists are humans with full lives and that everyone's time and lived experience is deeply valuable.
With our collective experience in dance, theatre, film, stage combat, independent production, and the development of new works, we are eager to expand our community of collaborators of all mediums.
Meet the Team
Re Edahl (they/she)
Movement - Choreography - Stage Combat
Trained first as a dancer, Re Edahl has a particular love for continuing to expand their skillset. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA and a graduate of Pittsburgh CAPA they set their sights on pursuing a career as a performer by then earning a dual BA in Dance and Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. This set her up for early career success in Minneapolis, where they worked with companies such as Live Action Set, Collective Unconscious, Dangerous Productions, Human Combat Chess United, and of course, their co-creation: Loom Lab.
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Emerging from a post-Covid-onset world, Edahl has focused this next phase of her career in Atlanta, GA. Since moving to the city in 2021, they have worked with Havoc Movement Company, and Crux Collective, as well as half of the original cast of old growth.
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In addition to their production and performance work, since 2019 Re has used her personal training certification to help other movement artists (including co-AD Cal) to become their best physical selves with strength and conditioning work under her company Athletes on Stage.
Cal O'Brien (they/he)
Acting - Physical Theatre - Devising
Drawn to theatre and acting from early childhood, Cal first began formal musical theatre classes at age 11. In high school at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists they had a unique opportunity to learn from celebrated Twin Cities theatre professionals such as Annie Enneking, Suzy Messerole, Wendy Lehr, and others. This is also where his early training in physical and devised theatre cemented his passion for new works. O'Brien then earned a BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College's rigorous three-year two-summer program in Columbia, MO and Okoboji, IA. ​​
Returning to the Twin Cities, Cal shifted their focus to direction and production, first for the now-sunsetted, all queer, 20% Theatre Company, and then as the other founding half of Loom Lab. Within his role he is intentional about integrating the training he has received with Glasgow, UK-based Company of Wolves.
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Their work in youth mental health advocacy also informs their approach to group facilitation. With a distinct passion for bringing trauma-informed practices into the studio, Cal hopes to offer a distinctly warm and gentle way of devising work.