SteppingStone Theatre for Youth in Saint Paul, MN 55104

SteppingStone, founded in 1987, produces a six-play season of hour-long affordable, entertaining, and multi-cultural productions. As of December 2007, the shows take place in the organization's newly renovated 100-year-old building, the former Grace Community Church. The sanctuary has been converted into a 430-seat theater with proscenium-style stage, and the building also houses offices, classrooms, and dressing rooms.

SteppingStone is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the arts in young audiences and would-be performers, particularly low-income kids with limited opportunities for arts enrichment. Classes and performances aim to promote self-confidence, creativity, and self-expression in cast members - who range in age from nine to 18 and often have no theatre background - and acting students as young as three years old. Tens of thousands of kids each year see SteppingStone productions with school groups drawn to the kid-friendly material and affordable ticket prices.

The company offers acting classes for ages three to 16 through many community education programs, as well as its own year-round roster of themed classes and summer camps. Financial aid is available.

Purchase advance tickets for shows by calling 651.225.9265.