Honors Trip 2024 Fall: Cultural Trip to Minneapolis for “The Lehman Trilogy”
Dakota State University’s Honors Program students embarked on a recent culturally enriching odyssey in Minneapolis, where they watched the critically acclaimed drama The Lehman Trilogy at the Guthrie Theater. The trip brought cultural exposure and togetherness as students took time off from their academic routines for a memorable weekend.
The Journey Begins
The journey began on a Friday afternoon outside the Learning Center on campus at exactly 1 p.m. and started to head towards Minnesota on a five-hour drive. By 6 p.m., the students had arrived in Minneapolis and checked into the AmericInn Hotel for their overnight stay. Already, things were off to an extremely exciting start, though merely visiting a theatre.
Stop at the Mall of America
Before the world of the theater called, the evening they arrived was spent at America’s biggest shopping mall: the Mall of America. With so many shops, attractions, and experiences under one complex, the atmosphere was so exciting and energetic, with students running up and down many levels seeking time to rest up for the apex of their trip.
Every corner of the mall offered a new experience, and the students packed their evening with as much fun as possible. But the real reason for the trip awaited them just around the corner.
The Lehman Trilogy Guthrie Theater
The group left at 10:30 a.m. the next day bound for the Guthrie Theater, situated off the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. It took an hour of driving before they finally arrived at their destination to prepare for the main event of the day: the highly anticipated “The Lehman Trilogy.”
The play, which started at 12:30 p.m., is a three-part drama that gives a full description of the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers, the financial institution around which the history of American capitalism revolved.
It is almost three and a half hours long, with two 15-minute intervals each, where one reflects on the depth of activities related to the business, family, and ambition.
They were anything but bored, as students left the theater reflecting on the dramatic performances, immersive storytelling, and huge production value of it all. After the show was over, the students headed back to Dakota State University.
Most were back by 9-10 p.m. Regardless of the time, everyone was back with an experience that helped them see the world through a new lens.
A Weekend to Remember
The Honors Program trip wasn’t just about theater—it was about stepping out of the every day, exploring new places, and bonding with fellow students. From the thrill of road-tripping to Minneapolis and the splendor of the Mall of America to the profound impact of The Lehman Trilogy, the weekend was a perfect blend of fun, exploration, and intellectual stimulation.
For the Honors Program students, this trip will be remembered not just as a visit to a famous play, but as an adventure that brought them closer together and deepened their appreciation for the arts.
