When staging your next event, consider one of our local stages. With more than 30 performance venues in Minneapolis alone, there are plenty of theaters to choose from in the Twin Cities. In the summer issue of the magazine you'll be able to read about how one local company hosted an event at the Pantages Theatre and if you look back on our blog (posts Part I and Part II) you can read about how two of our editors attended an event recently at the Children's Theatre Company.
So let's take a look at what our local theater scene can offer you in the way of meetings/event space.
*Read Part I of Stage Spotlight (a preview of the next 2009-2010 theater season)
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY, Minneapolis
The renovated Michael Graves-designed Children's Theatre Company (CTC) features two exciting stages. The UnitedHealth Group stage is the main proscenium and seats 747. The Cargill stage is a flexible black box theater that seats up to 298 in its stage seating or up to 380 at dining tables. The CTC also features four educational classrooms, a dance studio and two rehearsal rooms. The main lobby and the Cargill lounge are also available to rent. The CTC is conveniently located adjacent to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which features more event space and on-site dining/catering by D'Amico & Sons/D'Amico Catering. Read more about the CTC's spaces here. Group ticket sales: 612-872-5319.
GUTHRIE THEATER, Minneapolis
The modern Jean Nouvel-designed Guthrie Theater is know for its exciting architecture and its three distinct stages. The Wurtele Thrust Stage is its signature thrust stage. The Wurtele (pictured, photo by Gallop Studios) can seat up to 1,100, while the traditional proscenium stage of the McGuire seats 700. The third, a black box stage, is the Dowling, which can hold from 175-250 people. The various lobbies, the Endless Bridge and the Level Five Cafe can also be rented--Tim McKee's new Sea Change restaurant (replacing Cue on the first floor this July) will surely also have rental potential. In addition to the lobby space and the theaters, the Guthrie has five classrooms and two conference rooms. The Guthrie recently announced a $60,000 wedding giveaway in connection with the production of When We Are Married. Read more about this promotion here and read more about the theater's meeting/event space here. Group ticket sales: 612-225-6244.
HENNEPIN THEATRE DISTRICT, Minneapolis
The State, Orpheum and Pantages theaters have distinctive Beaux Arts and Art Deco architectural features, making for unique historical stage venues. The Orpheum Theatre seats 2,579, while the State seats 2,181 and the Pantages (pictured, photo courtesy of Hennepin Theatre District) seats 1,014. The nearby Hennepin Stages seats 240 on its main floor and 230 upstairs. Read more about the spaces here. Group ticket sales: 612-373-5665.
CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES, Chanhassen
At Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, they can accommodate meetings for 15-600 in one space (250 for banquets). The complex has several spaces, including its three stages. The Main Dinner Theatre seats 541, while the Director's Room (overlooking the main stage) seats 20-46. The Fireside Theatre seats 230 and the Playhouse Theatre seats 125. The complex also features a number of banquet rooms, the Inglenook Dining Room and the Attic Dining Room (seats 80), plus several other spaces. Read more about hosting events here and read about the facilities here. Group ticket sales: 952-934-1547.
AND DON'T FORGET THESE
Fitzgerald Theater: rental information
History Theatre: rental information
Mixed Blood Theatre: rental information (click on rental inquiries on left)
Southern Theater: rental information
Hopkins Center for the Arts/Stages Theatre Company: rental information
Avalon Theatre (In the Heart of the Beast): rental information
*Don't let this list limit you; many more local companies have rental space available. Here's a pretty good list of local performing arts companies.
--Ellie M. Bayrd, Associate Editor
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