A message from executive director Lacey Schirmers

Thanks to you, Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT) is full of creativity, connection, and possibility. 

This past season, your support was more than a donation. It created pathways for participation, discovery, and growth for thousands of people of all ages. Because of you, youth gained confidence, volunteers found purpose, and our community connected through GREAT experiences onstage, backstage, in the classroom, in community spaces, and in the audience. As we reflect on all that you helped make possible and look ahead to the season already taking shape, we remain focused on how these stories are told, how we foster growth, and how we adjust to best create an environment that meets the needs of participants, volunteers, professionals, and our community. Your generosity has and will continue to play a critical role in fueling theatre that transforms lives today and builds a brighter tomorrow. 

Together, we are nurturing future leaders, strengthening our community, and ensuring that the magic of live theatre continues to inspire, challenge, educate, and entertain for years to come.

Thank you for your support and for being part of our story!  

-Lacey

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During our 2024/25 season, your generous contributions made all of this possible…

 

School Residencies

A stage for every fifth grader!
By removing cost and transportation barriers, all 632 fifth graders in ISD742 participated in a musical-in-a-week as part of their school day education, performing for their schoolmates, friends, and family. Your support sparked confidence and collaboration, fostered a sense of community, strengthened connections with families, and opened educators’ eyes to new possibilities for their students.

 

“I don’t know what you did, but this student who never engages in class was here every day, memorizing lines & taking charge backstage.”

 

Drama Workshops

Igniting creativity in everyday spaces! In partnership with youth-serving organizations, Drama Workshops meet kids where they are—integrated into after-school and summer care programs. By returning to the same sites multiple times each year, we deepen skills and relationships over time. Thanks to your support, more than 500 youth experienced the joy and growth of theatre, all at no cost to their families or community partners.

 

“I have heard nothing but great things about your staff and the students’ experiences with them!  Thank you for partnering with us!! I appreciate everything you and your team has done for the students here at Talahi!”

Summer Camps

Confidence! Confidence! Confidence! It’s what we hear time and time again from parents as the biggest takeaway from camp. Your support keeps GREAT Theatre camp accessible and life-changing for over 850 youth ages 4-18! Thanks to you, we provided $40,370 in financial aid through our pick-your-price registration to help 213 students attend theatre camp this summer! 

 

“I was absolutely in awe of how high-quality the final performance was, that there was no cost for us to attend it, and that they were able to pull that off in just one week!”

Into the Woods

A story of stories! With more than 20 years since GREAT last produced Into the Woods, and 37 years after its debut, it was a joy to bring a fresh concept to this beloved musical. Each production begins with the script, exploring what the story is, how to tell it, & why. Our concept centered on the fabric of storytelling, reflected in design details like Milky White made of books, a library for the setting & fabric printed with script text in every costume!

 

“I was blown away by this production. It truly rivaled anything
I have seen on Broadway.”

Youth Artist Project: Winnie the Pooh Kids

A highlight of every season! Our Youth Artist Project pairs high school students with professional theatre artists & educators for hands-on, real-world experiences. Together, they bring a short musical to life with an all-youth cast to introduce our youngest audiences to the magic of theatre. Whether or not they pursue careers in the arts, students attain skills in teamwork, leadership & collaboration that benefit them wherever they go.

 

“I have learned there is so much more work that goes on behind the scenes than you would think.”

Waitress

The first in the state! Thanks to an early offer to apply for a license to produce Waitress, GREAT was the first of four Minnesota theatres to produce this show last season! The success of past productions, thanks to community support of GREAT shows at the Paramount, was a key role in us receiving this offer & we are grateful.

 

“How exciting that GREAT was invited to bring this heartwarming story to our community. A great honor, indeed!”

The Wizard of Oz

A stage full of possibility! To give more youth the chance to shine, we double cast the munchkins. Reflecting on their role, one wise munchkin shared, “In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda says to Dorothy, ‘You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.’ GREAT helped me see my power and showed me that I’m important.”

 

“What a huge asset to central Minnesota! A place where young and old actors can live out their dreams and where the audience can join them!”

All Shook Up

The surprise hit of the season! This show wasn’t a top pick in our season planning survey, but we believed in its message & our community reacted with unexpected enthusiasm. Featuring the hits of Elvis, this show marked our first weekday matinee for adults. Busloads of seniors filled the Paramount on a Thursday afternoon, celebrating nostalgia of 50s rock ’n’ roll while connecting with a fresh story of love, freedom & individuality.

 

“This show has a beautiful story & was told in
a very creative & fun way.”

Steel Magnolias

Double the cast, double the charm! With only six roles & no ensemble parts for understudies, we chose to double cast Steel Magnolias. This gave 12 women the chance to step into Truvy’s Beauty Salon & offered flexibility for cast members to step away from a performance & take care of themselves while still delivering a high-quality performance every night. 

 

“One of the most beautiful shows I’ve seen in a long time. It was truly amazing what such a small cast could accomplish. I laughed with them. I cried with them. Pure magic.”

Mary Poppins

All in on all the wow factors! Mary Poppins pulled out all the stops with flying effects, magical moments, and full-cast dance numbers. From Mary’s graceful flight across the stage to Bert tap dancing upside down, every element brought the magic of this beloved story to life, delighting audiences of all ages.

 

“Only one way to describe GREAT: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Eurydice

A myth for our time! In this retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus & Eurydice, playwright Sarah Ruhl focused on Eurydice & her emotional journey. With poetic language, abstract imagery, & surreal beauty, the story gave actors a unique opportunity to stretch their artistry & connect with audiences in powerful, personal ways.

 

“I love small cast like this with ranging ages and backgrounds.
It was super intimate and special. Probably one of my favorite shows I’ve been a part of.”

A note from aRTISTIC & education director kendra norton dando

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our 28th season!

Of course we are excited about what’s to come! Whether bringing a red-headed orphan back to our stage or adventuring out into the forests of Arendelle, the productions we have slated for this season are sure to spark joy, provoke thought, and inspire curiosity. We are thrilled to invite you back for another season of engaging storytelling!

While we are excited to welcome you to the theater in a matter of weeks, the creative process follows that iceberg metaphor: the final show is just a little piece sticking out of the water and there’s so much more under the surface. We are already weeks-deep in rehearsals for our first two shows of the season and creative work has been under way since May. From director concept and design meetings, to auditions and rehearsals, professionals and volunteers are hard at work making theatre. And it’s such an exciting place to be! 

The exploration of different ideas, whether discussing scenic design or acting choices or choreographed moves, is where the magic happens. Through play, creativity, and intentional collaboration we build connections and develop as artists and human beings. 

Thank you for believing in the magic of theatre and for supporting its development! Your time, energy, passion, and financial contributions make arts accessible to our community. Thank you for being a part of our story and for bringing important stories to life both on and offstage. 

-Kendra

2025/26 Season

Fundraising Events

Rockin’ GREAT Gala – Tuesday, February 3rd | Regency & Paramount Theatre
A fundraiser benefitting GREAT’s education and outreach programming for youth

26/27 Season Announcement Fundraiser – Tuesday, March 31st | Harvester Square 
Season announcement event that celebrates the GREAT community of performers and artists, season subscribers, and donors while raising funds to help bridge the gap between ticket sales and the true cost of producing high-quality shows.