Cal O’Brien

Cal O’Brien is an educator, youth worker, and theatre artist. Having previously worked with Minneapolis Public Schools, SteppingStone Theatre, and the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental health, Cal comes to Ampersand with a wide variety of experience working with youth.

In 2020, they were tasked with reinvigorating the state chapter of Youth MOVE National and developed an award-winning youth artist mentorship program. He is honored to be joining the dedicated and values-driven staff here at Ampersand. Outside of this work, O’Brien also serves as the Co-Artistic Director of interstate and interdisciplinary performance company, Loom Lab.

Cal has been a theatre kid from the very start, and also loves collecting agates, taking classes, and spending time with loved ones and their fluffy dog, Hobbes. Cal’s work is underscored by the foundational belief that the voice and lived experience of each and every youth is deeply meaningful, and that the systems designed to support them should be built around their expertise. Systems are powerful, and it is critical that we continue to strive for a future of hope and possibility for all youth.