While many may agree that watching actors on television is a fun and easy pastime, sometimes you want to experience the action live. In Rochester, MN we have an abundance of talented entertainers that know how to put on a spectacular show. We’ve compiled a list of 4 performance art theaters you have to check out next time you’re bit by the thespian bug.
4 Great Theaters and Performance Venues in Driving Distance of Rochester, MN
1. Rochester Civic Theatre
This antiquated theater began as a ragtag team of wannabe actors who simply wanted the chance to perform. That small group’s idea sparked a flame in the community and has since grown to be one of the most well-respected and renowned performance theaters in the city. In celebration of its 71st season of business, they are putting on a full production of Willy Wonka.
They have made it their mission to enrich their community with a passion for the arts – which they have achieved through education and inclusion. They offer interpreted performances for those with hearing difficulty, wheelchair-accessible seating, and they allow service dogs. Their unabashed care for anyone wanting to enjoy the arts is one of the reasons we love them!
2. Rochester Repertory Theatre
This local theater not only puts on plays we all know and love, like A Christmas Carol and Radium Girls but also features works by local playwrights. They work with hundreds of volunteers and they empower artists to work with a diverse team of directors, designers, and technicians, which results in powerful performances. The stage itself may be small, but the performers will leave you with a huge and lasting impression.
3. Absolute at the Historic Chateau Theatre
The Absolute Theatre troupe performs in the beautifully ornate Chateau, a historic theater built in the heart of downtown Rochester in 1927. The medieval style of architecture brims with theatrical possibilities. This beauty has been preserved and renovated as both a movie theater and a bookstore at different times but has returned to its roots in the arts with the Absolute Theatre Company.
You don’t want to miss their murder mystery shows, which set them apart from the other community theaters. These special performances always donate to a deserving cause, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Elder Network.
4. RCTC Hill Theater
Students of the Rochester Community and Technical College have the opportunity to be involved with the whole process of writing, directing, creating, and acting in a play. The Hill Theater produces three main plays each year which are all worked on by students of the college and draw audiences of thousands to watch the students succeed.
We have no shortage of talented performers in Rochester. Get your tickets to the upcoming Willy Wonka at Rochester Civic Theatre, or support your local aspiring drama student at the Hill Theater. When you’re done, come tell us all about it at Rochester Toyota!
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