Guthrie Theater to Offer Audio Tours Featuring Mayor Coleman and More

In its efforts to continue to promote its public spaces as a year-round welcoming destination, the Guthrie Theater has invited six local celebrities to its recording studio to lend their voices to a revamped and freshly written version of its self-guided audio tour. Available for free download on iTunes or with a $5 iPod rental at the Guthrie box office, the tour offers visitors the choice of one of six voices to accompany them through the building: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, WCCO-TV news anchor Angela Davis, performer and writer Kevin Kling, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Cities 97 radio personality Brian "B.T." Turner and actor Sally Wingert.           

"We reached out to a variety of voices in the community when we had the idea to record a fresh version of the audio tour," said Guthrie Director of Communications Quinton Skinner. "The response was immediate and enthusiastic, and everyone we invited loved the idea of being able to guide guests through the Guthrie in their own distinctive way."

The audio tour begins in the Guthrie's first-floor lobby and proceeds through public spaces including fourth-floor lobbies and fifth-floor dining areas; the ninth-floor lobby adjacent to the Dowling Studio and around the building's exterior when weather permits. Listeners are encouraged to pause their audio devices whenever they wish, including taking the time to luxuriate in the Guthrie's views or to pause and examine photos and images from the theater's history.           

While each individual who reads the audio tour was given the same script, they were also encouraged to add anecdotes or to use their own phrasing, lending each recording a sense of individuality and personality.           

"We were extremely lucky with who we recruited for the tours," added Skinner. "Both mayors approached it as lovers of the theater and enthusiasts for the community in general. We have a professional storyteller in Kevin Kling, the great voice of Angela Davis, noted raconteur B.T. and the phenomenal Sally Wingert. I think a lot of people are going to have a difficult time choosing which voice to take the tour with."           

Self-guided audio tour times vary, depending on the recording and the number of times and for how long the tour-goer opts to pause his or her audio device. An average tour can be completed in approximately 45 minutes.

The new audio tour can be accessed here: http://www.guthrietheater.org/visit/tours/selfguided_audio_tours

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