Theatre of the Relatively Talentless

The Theatre of the Relatively Talentless (T.O.R.T.) is a theatrical company that puts on musicals and other performances written, produced, directed and performed by students of the University of Minnesota Law School. T.O.R.T. is a registered, non-profit, campus life student organization through the University of Minnesota Student Activities Office and operates under the purview of the Law School. Formed in 2002, its goal is to "provid[e] law students and faculty with a desperately needed creative outlet."

Membership in T.O.R.T. is traditionally 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." T.O.R.T. is governed year-round by a 10-member Executive Board consisting of two producers, a director, a music director, a technical director, a head writer, a treasurer, a VIP liaison, a head costumer, and a choreographer. As T.O.R.T. has become more established, the cast has grown to more than 100 members. Participants are known as the TORTfeasors.

Traditionally acted, written, directed, produced, and run entirely by students, the musical is an annual event held in late February or early March of each year. The event draws over a thousand audience members each year and features 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. T.O.R.T. has its own pit orchestra, also composed entirely of law students, which provides musical accompanyment for the show.

Executive Board members for the following year are elected on the night of each final performance.

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