Park Midway Bank

2300 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-523-7800

2171 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-523-7800

Improving Our Community

SteppingStone Theatre

SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development is the largest performing theatre for youth in the greater St. Paul area reaching approximately 60,000 people annually through their mainstage season and classes, workshops and residencies in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. The organization was founded in 1987.

Steppingstone Theatre acquired the 100 year old Greek Orthodox Church which has been a pillar in the community. The facility is located at 55 North Victoria Street in Saint Paul near the William Mitchell Law School. The Theatre is in the process of a $5,000,000 capital campaign to renovate the facility and have raised about $3.5MM towards this goal. Construction is underway with completion slated for October 2007. Park Midway Bank has partnered with the organization to provide financing.

The Theatre adds to the cultural environment of the community by engaging children and youth in the creative and expressive powers of theatre. Many of the young people that the program reaches have never been exposed to the arts before and are from lower-income communities. Reaching these youth is the reason for SteppingStone Theatre’s commitment to low ticket prices, scholarships for classes and workshops, discounted residencies for schools and community groups, and assistance with transportation and related issues.

Artistic Director, Richard Hitchler, earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota and has been an administrator, teacher, actor, and director since 1987. Locally, he has worked with many groups including the Illusion Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, to name a few. Hitchler was appointed Artistic Director of SteppingStone Theatre in November 1997 where he has directed over 15 productions.

For further information, contact the Theatre at 651-225-9265 or visit their website www.steppingstonetheatre.com.




	Heart of the Beast Theatre Since 1973, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre has been using water, flour, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the joys and sorrows, struggles and celebrations of human existence. Inspired by ancient tales and eternal questions, as well as this morning's newspaper, its vital, poetic theater appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Its programs, ceremonies and performances served more than 75,000 individuals during 2005. The HOBT is located in the former Avalon Movie Theater on Lake St. in Minneapolis that they acquired in 1990. In July 2004, groundbreaking took place with a partnership of the Bank, the Neighborhood Development Center, and the Latino Economic Development Center.