Who We Are

Graceful Monsters ETC is a process-driven educational theatre that fosters a safe space for young artists to create, learn and be empowered to explore their own stories.

We are a family run business located in Minneapolis, MN

Why the name “Graceful Monsters?”

The name “Graceful Monsters” came directly from the imagination of one of our young artists. We were in the midst of rehearsing an adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are and the youth were asked to create their own “wild thing” or “monster.”
As we were discovering how each young artists’ “wild thing body” moved, the director (Anthony Sisler-Neuman) said, “Okay, monsters, get on the stage!” to which one of the youths replied, “At least we are graceful monsters!” They then proceeded to gracefully monster-walk to the stage. Anthony shouted “Someone write that down!” And Graceful Monsters ETC was named.

Meet The Team!

Haley Sisler-Neuman (she/her)
Cofounder- haley@gracefulmonstersetc.com

Haley is a Twin Cities-based theater educator, actor and choreographer. She earned her BFA in musical theater from Drake University and has been performing for over 15 years. Her joint passion for theater and teaching led her to start this company with her husband, Anthony, after running the Youth Performance Program through the Sabes JCC together. Haley has worked with and mentored young artists from ages 3-18. She loves teaching young artists and watching them grow, not only as performers, but as people.

Anthony Sisler-Neuman (he/him)
Cofounder- anthony@gracefulmonstersetc.com

Anthony grew up as a theater kid in the Twin Cities, working at most of the local youth companies. He went on to study theater in high school and shifted gears to playwriting at Columbia College Chicago. Anthony has been directing and educating youth since 2012, while continuing to work as a theater professional. His lifelong dream of having an educational theatre collective has finally come true, alongside his wife, which is truly the only way it could have happened. He is an avid believer that theater changes lives and continues to be inspired by the young artists he works with every day.