Core Artist Leadership Group

What is our Core Artist
Leadership Group?

Full Circle uses a unique model of inclusive leadership that embodies our company’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity-based mission: All of Full Circle's major artistic decisions are made collaboratively by our Core Artist Leadership Group, comprised of three Core Artists and the two Co-Artistic Directors, together representing diverse racial, ethnic, gendered, and other identities and communities. These artistic decisions are made using a consensus process.

In addition, Core Artists are given priority as artistic leaders of Full Circle theater projects, and as theater artists in Full Circle’s programming (as directors, actors, writers, etc.).

The current members of our Core Artist Leadership Group are Lara Trujillo, Rick Shiomi, Martha B. Johnson, Stephanie Lein Walseth, and Siddeeqah Shabazz (2022-24 Resident Core Artist).

Many thanks to Ricardo Beaird for completing a One-Year Residency (2020-21)!

Core Artist Leadership Group Members

Rick Shiomi

Co-Artistic Director

Rick Shiomi is an internationally recognized, award-winning Japanese Canadian playwright, stage director, artistic director and taiko artist. He’s the recipient of the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award, the Ivey Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Sally Ordway Irvine Award for Vision, as well as other awards.

Lara Trujillo

Core Artist Leadership Group Member

Lara Trujillo is a vocalist, actor, educator and director, and has served as music director for productions ranging from light opera to classic musical theater. As a performer she has appeared with the Minnesota Opera; The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company; Mu...

Stephanie Lein Walseth

Co-Artistic Director

Stephanie Lein Walseth was one of the co-writers for Full Circle’s debut production of Theater: A Sacred Passage, one of the directors for 365 Days/365 Plays: A 2017 Remix, and the dramaturg for Under This Roof.

As an actor, director, dramaturg, and stage manager, she has...

Siddeeqah Shabazz

2022-24 Resident Core Artist

Siddeeqah Shabazz (she/her) is originally from Oakland, CA with degrees in theatre from the University of La Verne and the Guildford School of Acting in England. She has been an actor for the last 20 years and has spent the last 10 years working in arts education.

Martha B. Johnson

Core Artist Leadership Group Member

Martha B. Johnson is a stage director, dramaturg, and playwright, who is a co-founder and Core Artist at Full Circle Theater. She’s directed 40+ theater productions over her career in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), and is a longtime collaborator with...