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Parkway/Steppingstone Proscenium Stage
Free Wi-Fi Available
Park Square Theatre, West 7th Place, Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-225-9265
Admission: $12.00
General Admission Tickets $12.00-$16.00
Limited Concessions Available

SteppingStone Theatre is a children’s theatre in Saint Paul with three program areas: performances, education and outreach. They offer acting classes for kids ages 2 to 18 and produce plays and musicals each year. They also offer camps each summer and during school holidays.

SteppingStone Office

SteppingStone Location

In November of 2019 Steppingstone began the process that ultimately led to their move from the historic but aging theatre where it had been located for years to its current home at Park Square Theatre. Performance programs, workshops, and rehearsal halls are all located at Park Square’s current facility in the Hamm Building.

Marquee at Park Square Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota (Home to Steppingstone Children's Theatre)
Steppingstone’s New Home in the Park Square Theater

Stage Productions at SteppingStone Theatre

The Theatre produces family-friendly stage performances throughout the year. Their productions tend to be shows that promote diversity, cultural awareness and tolerance. In the past, I have found their plays a bit too challenging for younger children, and have chosen to take my middle grader. However, they have begun adding productions geared toward smaller children as well.

Auidence View of the Park Stage Theatre Stage (Steppingstone Theatre), Saint Paul, Minnesota

Upcoming Shows at SteppingStone:

We keep an updated calendar of kid-friendly shows on our Performing Arts Calendar. Find SteppingStone shows there.

Proscenium Stage at Steppingstone Theatre/Parkway Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Proscenium Stage

Pay-What-You-Are-Able Performances & Classes

SteppingStone offers a Pay-What-You-Are-Able Performance for most performances (usually the first Sunday of the production). The suggested minimum is $5, but they want people to feel welcome no matter what price they feel able to pay. These tickets are first come, first serve and it is recommended that audience members arrive 30-45 minutes ahead. While I have made this my rule of thumb,  sometimes I’ve sat in a mostly empty theatre until 10-15 minutes before the start time. If you are running late, and feeling adventurous, show up a little later and see what happens.

All of SteppingStone’s youth classes and camps are also Pay As You’re Able.

PAY AS YOU’RE ABLE

That means exactly what it says – pay what your family can afford.

Our full registration fee represents the amount that it costs us to bring this program to you. But for your family, Pay As You’re Able may mean covering your fees and someone else’s. It could also mean paying half or some of the fee.

–Steppingstone Theatre


Classes and Camps at SteppingStone

Both semester-long classes and summer camps are available for children 3 ½ to 16. Classes and camps can be found at their website. During the school year, look for Theatre Explorer Drop-In. Sign up for the whole program or just drop in for $17/family.  Also, note that all SteppingStone programs are pay as you are able. While they list a registration fee that represents the cost of creating the program, families are welcome no matter what amount they feel they can afford – whether that is a less or more than the registration fee.

 

SteppingStone’s mission statement focuses on developing the whole child through educational theater programs and fully staged productions. It strives to offer a non-competitive environment to help build self-esteem and confidence within a community that celebrates diversity.

Kids creating a play of a Mysterious Beast of the Woods at Steppingstone Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota
Create-A-Play, Mysterious Beast of the Woods


History of SteppingStone Theatre

In 2016, Gianna interviewed Michelle Pett, the Interim Executive Director at for Youth Development at Steppingstone at the time and asked her:

What is the history of Steppingstone Theater?

“SteppingStone is 29 years old this year (that means next year we hit the big 3-0!) We began our organizational life by providing in-school theatre residencies to St. Paul schools. We started producing plays with all-youth casts shortly thereafter. We moved from the Landmark Center to our own building on Victoria Street in 2007. SteppingStone lives in a 110 year old Methodist church that has been renovated into a 426 seat theatre with a proscenium stage; plus studio and classroom space on the lower level.” – Michelle Pett
Of course Steppingstone has continued to develop and has moved from the Victoria Street building now.  It still works to introduce children to theatre.

Children's Acting Class at Steppinstone Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota

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