Stages Theatre Company Announces An Added Pay What You Can Performance Of MEM FOX WHOEVER YOU ARE

Stages Theatre Company's (STC) is inviting patrons to pay what they can to see Mem Fox Whoever You Are on Friday, May 18,, 2018 at 7:00 PM. The performance is part of STC's commitment to making sure that our theatre remains accessible to every member of our community.

Pay What You Can allows patrons to purchase ANY seat in the house for a donation of ANY amount and enjoy the live theatre experience at STC. Pay What You Can tickets are available thanks to the generosity of our funding partners at Xcel Energy and Jerry's Food. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at our box office and can be reserved within 48 hours of the performance. Patrons can reserve up to 6 tickets to each performance. For tickets call 952-979-1111, option 4. On the day of the performance, patrons "pay what they can" by making a donation of any amount on their way into the theater.

For many children, families, and schools desiring to participate in professional artistic or cultural programming, lack of financial resources is a barrier to participation. Stages Theatre Company believes that theatre is fundamental to child development and overall quality of life, and that every individual, regardless of economic circumstances, geography, or ability, should be able to enjoy the joy, wonder, and benefits of participation in the theatre arts. Accessibility is a core value of Stages Theatre Company and we are committed to removing any and all barriers to accessing our programming.

Weaving a colorful tapestry of contemporary world music, dance, culture and celebration from countries around the globe, Whoever You Are illuminates the common threads we all share despite our many differences.

The hour-long production was adapted for the stage by St. Paul playwright Jeannine Coulombe, who, as part of the development process, facilitated residencies in ten culturally diverse Twin Cities elementary school classrooms. The insights and experiences collected from these students have been incorporated into the script. "The thing that struck me about the students' responses was how themes of family, school, and friendship emerged across the board, regardless of cultural background," Coulombe says. "That's really the heart of this whole production."

WATCH THE TRAILER: https://youtu.be/C8UNyPN-Mmw

Whoever You Are is directed by Melanie Salmon-Peterson, with music and lyrics by Aaron Gabriel and musical arrangements and mixes by Eric Warner. Salmon-Peterson says, "Stages Theatre Company is striving to be radically welcoming and inclusive in everything we do, and we are proud to have a diverse, multi-cultural cast for Whoever You Are. Presenting this show to audiences will be fun, and also very important. It's a message people need to hear."

For more information visit www.stagestheatre.org/tickets/open-door-program

Stages Theatre Company is dedicated to creating a space where diverse opinions, courageous dialogue, and local, national, and international community engagement is not only valued, but vital to our shared artistic and educational success. We make this pledge in hope of curating a welcome home for all.

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 145,000 young people and their families.

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