Mentorship is Key at Stages Theatre Company

HOPKINS, Minn. – Mentorship plays a big role at Stages Theatre Company (STC) where youth actors have the opportunity to be surrounded by professional adult actors in every production. Judy Blume’s popular book, “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” is no exception, which opens this Friday at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
   
Noah Bremer, who plays several adult characters in “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” has enjoyed his experience of being a resource for the youth actors in the cast. “The youth actors keep me on my toes and make me put my best foot forward. I have an obligation to lead by example. They are a great barometer when practicing a role in rehearsals because if they are engaged, the audience will be engaged,” says Bremer.
   
On average, STC will cast two to three professional adult actors per production so that youth actors are given the opportunity to ask questions related to the profession or to simply learn acting techniques. “The youth cast ask me a range of questions about life in the theater, what my theatrical preferences are, or where I trained. They ask about the kinds of character’s I’ve played and how to portray them,” says Bremer.

STC strives to select plays and commission works that feature significant and meaningful roles for youth actors. “We look for materials that allow the adult artists to mentor our youth actors in rehearsals and performances. The experience of adults and youth working together on stage, I believe, makes them all better actors,” says Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barrett.

“Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” features three professional adult actors and 15 youth actors who will perform in 23 shows in a limited run from March 5 through the 21st. To purchase tickets, please visit www.stagestheatre.org for performance dates and times, or call the box office at (952) 979-1111, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children (ages 5 to 17) and seniors (60+). Lap passes are available for free (ages 0 to 2) and $5 for (ages 3 to 4). The show is suitable for ages 6 and up and the run time is 75 to 85 minutes.

Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with themes relevant to their lives and involve them in creating magical works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through theatrical productions, workshops, conservatory classes and other outreach programs, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 125,000 young people and their families.

Performances:

March 5: 7 p.m.

March 6: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

March 7: 2 p.m.

March 9: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

March 10: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

March 11: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

March 12: 7 p.m.

March 13: 1 p.m.

March 14: 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

March 17: 10 a.m. and 12: 30 p.m.

March 18: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

March 19: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

March 20: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

March 21: 2 p.m.