The Theatre of the Relatively Talentless (TORT) is a student theatrical company that puts on musicals and other performances written, produced, directed and performed by law students of the University of Minnesota Law School. TORT is a campus life program through the University of Minnesota Student Activities Office and operates under the purview of the Law School. Formed in 2002, it "provides law students and faculty with a desperately needed creative outlet."

Membership

TORT is open to "all law students without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, class standing, political preferences, bluebooking skill, or ability to use the term "" in a sentence." TORT is governed year-round by an executive board consisting of two producers, a director, a music director, a technical director, a head writer, a treasurer, a head costumer, and a choreographer. As TORT has become more established, the cast has grown to more than 70 members. Participants are often known as the TORTfeasors.

Musical

The musical is an annual event held in late March or early April of each year. The event draws over a thousand audience members each year. The show is notable for its cameos by law school professors, deans, staff, alumni and other distinguished members of the Minnesota legal community. The theme is chosen shortly after the last year's show, and a draft of the script is completed over the summer. Auditions are held during the fall semester, and rehearsals begin at the start of spring semester. Cast members may be assigned as leads, featured singers, featured dancers, or members of the chorus. Chorus members may also have speaking lines, and often impersonate law school professors, staff, or administrators. TORT has its own pit orchestra, also composed entirely of law students, which provides musical accompaniment for the show. Executive Board members for the following year are elected on the night of each final performance.

Past shows

Cameos

2003

VIP Law School

2004

VIP Law School

2005

VIP Law School

2006

VIP Law School

2007

VIP Law School

2008

VIP Law School TORT Alumni

2024

Law School

Alumni

Past TORTfeasors have formed an alumni group called TORT Alumni Relationship Taskforce (TART). This group is responsible for organizing the alumni afterparty for the Saturday night performance of each year's musical. It also hosts alumni events over the course of the year, and maintains alumni contact information, in order to help the TORT Executive Board with recruiting VIPs, selling tickets, and generating sponsors.