SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development
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SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development is the largest performing theatre for youth in the greater Saint Paul area. Their Mainstage season, which runs annually from October to July, features six all youth cast productions, many written on commission by emerging local playwrights. The exception is their annual production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! Started in 1989, it is the second longest running Christmas show in the Twin Cities. SteppingStone Theatre also offers years round youth acting classes, workshops and residencies throughout the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.
History
SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development was founded in 1987 with two artist-in-residence programs at inner-city Saint Paul schools that gave students a chance to have a participatory theatre experience. SteppingStone Theatre's focus has been on reaching out to children and youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in theatre and providing them with an expanding range of educational theatre experiences.
Today, this focus is pursued through the Mainstage, Education, and Outreach Programs. In the past 9 years, led by Artistic Director Richard Hitchler, the theatre has served over 500,000 children, youth, schools and families through their six mainstage shows each year, in-school residencies, theatre classes for youth, and Community Education classes.
New home
Construction on the former Grace Community Church, located at Victoria Street in Saint Paul next to William Mitchell College of Law, began February 2, 2007. SteppingStone Theatre officially moved into its new home on December 1, 2007, to open The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! that day.
The renovation included improvement of the exterior; conversion of the sanctuary into a 430-seat theatre with a proscenium-style stage equipped with modern lighting and sound capabilities; installation of an elevator for accessibility to all areas of the building; and construction of classrooms, dressing rooms and administrative offices on the lower level.
2011-2012 Season
- A Little Princess- Adapted by Jenna Zark, Music by Gary Rue
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!- by Barbara Robinson
- Almost to Freedom- Adapted by Kim Hines from the book by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
- Larry Yazzie and the Native Price Dancers
- Mu Daiko: Taiko Drumming
- Pinnochio- By Josette Antomarchi and Marc Kotz with music by Gary Rue
2010-2011 Season
- Stone Soup Feeds the World- Book, music and lyrics by Dane Stauffer
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!- by Barbara Robinson
- Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963- by Christina Ham
- Get Up Your Irish- Created by Norah Rendell and Natalie O’Shea
- The Magic Bus to Asian Folktales- by R.A. Shiomi, Cha Yang, and Jaz Canlas, music by Gary Rue
- The Emperor's New Clothes- Book, music and lyrics by David Simmons
2009-2010 Season
- Hanuman & The Girl Prince- by Aditi Brennan Kapil, music by Gary Rue
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever- by Barbara Robinson
- Henry's Freedom Box- by Christina Ham, music by David Simmons
- My Grandmother's Tsotchkes: Tales of A Gambling Grandma- by Stuart Pimsler, music by Gary Rue
- The Magic Pot: Three Tales from China- Script, music & lyrics by Dane Stauffer
- The Stinky Cheese Man- by Kent Stephens, music by Gary Rue based on the book by Jon Scieszka.
References
- Royce, Graydon (November 18, 2007) "A place to shine" Star Tribune
- Papatola, Dominic P. (November 6, 2008) "'Rainbow Crow' legend even more beautiful, and sad, because it's so rare" Saint Paul Pioneer Press