Why Families Love the 2026–2027 Season at Stages Theatre Company

If you’re looking for a family activity that inspires creativity, builds confidence, and creates lasting memories, Stages Theatre Company deserves a spot on your family’s calendar.

Located in Hopkins, Minnesota, Stages Theatre Company has been introducing children and teens to the magic of live theater for decades. Unlike many professional theaters, Stages focuses entirely on young audiences and young performers. Families can enjoy high-quality productions while also giving children opportunities to audition, perform, and learn through acting classes and camps.

Whether your child dreams of standing in the spotlight someday or simply enjoys watching musicals come to life, the 2026–2027 season offers something for every age.

Here’s why so many Minnesota families return to Stages Theatre Company year after year.

What Makes Stages Theatre Company Special?

Stages isn’t just a place to see a show—it’s a place where kids and teens discover confidence, creativity, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.

Professional directors, choreographers, designers, musicians, and teaching artists work alongside talented young performers to create productions that entertain audiences while helping children grow both on and off the stage.

Many Twin Cities families make attending Stages productions an annual tradition, while others become involved through acting classes, camps, and youth productions.

The 2026–2027 Season

The 2026–2027 season offers a wonderful mix of beloved children’s stories, Broadway-style musicals, imaginative adventures, and productions that appeal to preschoolers, elementary students, tweens, and teenagers alike.

Expect colorful costumes, impressive sets, catchy songs, talented young performers, and stories that encourage imagination, kindness, perseverance, and friendship.

One of the things families appreciate most is that many productions are specifically adapted with younger audiences in mind, making them easier to follow while still entertaining adults.

Because performances are created for families, the running times are generally shorter than traditional Broadway productions, helping younger children stay engaged from beginning to end.

Shows Perfect for Preschoolers and Early Elementary Students

Stages has built a national reputation for introducing young children to live theater.

Shows designed for preschool and early elementary audiences often feature:

Bright, colorful sets
Interactive storytelling
Familiar characters
Shorter running times
Plenty of music
Positive life lessons

For many children, a Stages performance becomes their very first theater experience.

Musicals Older Kids and Teens Will Love

Older children and teenagers aren’t forgotten.

Throughout the season, Stages presents larger musicals and productions that challenge young performers while giving middle school and high school audiences stories they can genuinely connect with.

These productions often explore:

Friendship
Confidence
Growing up
Family relationships
Courage
Following your dreams
Discovering your identity

Many teen performers in Minnesota have taken their first major stage roles at Stages before continuing into high school theater programs and even professional productions.

Why Parents Love Bringing Their Kids

Parents often discover they enjoy Stages just as much as their children.

The productions feature impressive choreography, professional-quality lighting and costumes, talented casts, and stories that appeal across generations.

Instead of simply entertaining children, many performances spark conversations afterward about kindness, perseverance, teamwork, empathy, and believing in yourself.

Families frequently leave inspired to read the books the productions were based on or attend another performance later in the season.

Acting Opportunities for Kids and Teens

One of the biggest reasons families become involved with Stages is the opportunity for children to perform—not just watch.

Throughout the year, Stages offers opportunities for young performers of many experience levels.

Programs often include:

Acting Classes

Students learn:

Stage presence
Character development
Improvisation
Voice projection
Movement
Audition preparation

Classes are available for beginners through advanced performers.

Musical Theatre Training

Children interested in singing, dancing, and acting can build all three skills while working with experienced instructors.

Many students return year after year as their confidence grows.

School Break Camps

During summer, spring break, and other school vacations, Stages offers theater camps where students rehearse and perform condensed productions while making new friends.

These camps are especially popular with creative kids who love performing.

Auditions

Stages regularly auditions young performers for productions throughout the season.

Even children who don’t receive a role often gain valuable audition experience and confidence that helps them in future performances.

Many successful Minnesota performers began their theater journey right here.

Why Theater Is Great for Teens

As kids get older, theater offers benefits that extend far beyond performing.

Participating in productions helps teens develop:

Public speaking skills
Confidence
Teamwork
Leadership
Time management
Creativity
Problem-solving
Communication skills

Even students who don’t plan to pursue acting professionally often find these skills helpful in school, college, and future careers.

The friendships formed during rehearsals also become some of the strongest memories many teens carry with them.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before the performance begins. This gives your family plenty of time to park, find your seats, and settle in before the lights dim.

Read the Story Together

If the production is based on a favorite children’s book, read it together beforehand.

Kids love recognizing familiar characters and scenes once the curtain rises.

Dress Comfortably

There isn’t a formal dress code.

Many families wear comfortable casual clothing, while others enjoy dressing up a bit for special occasions.

Encourage Questions

After the show, ask your child:

Who was your favorite character?
What surprised you?
What would you do differently?
Would you want to be on stage someday?

These conversations help extend the experience long after the performance ends.

Make It a Family Day

Because Stages Theatre Company is located in Hopkins, it’s easy to turn your visit into a full day of family fun.

Consider pairing your theater visit with:

Lunch or dinner at a nearby family-friendly restaurant
Ice cream after the show
A walk through downtown Hopkins
Shopping at local boutiques
Visiting one of the nearby parks

Many families make a tradition of combining dinner and a show several times throughout the season.

Why Families Return Year After Year

There’s something special about watching children experience live theater for the first time.

The excitement as the lights dim, the laughter during funny scenes, the applause after a musical number, and the conversations on the drive home all become lasting memories.

For children who dream of performing, Stages offers a welcoming place to learn, grow, and build confidence. For those who simply enjoy watching great stories come to life, every production provides an opportunity to laugh, imagine, and be inspired.

Whether you’re introducing a preschooler to live theater, bringing a teenager who loves musicals, or encouraging a child who dreams of performing on stage, Stages Theatre Company offers experiences your family will remember for years to come.

If you’re looking for meaningful family outings in the Twin Cities during the 2026–2027 season, Stages Theatre Company is well worth adding to your calendar.