St. Anthony Community Theater (SACT) is a non- profit community organization whose mission is to enrich community life by providing access to high quality performing arts opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels; on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. We are a people-centered, volunteer run organization with a focus on inclusive, accessible community arts. We may focus on the St. Anthony Village community but we also welcome and draw talented people and audience members from many neighboring communities including Columbia Heights, Hilltop, New Brighton, Northeast Minneapolis, and Roseville. We depend on volunteer and financial contributions to do this work. Your gift of time and/or treasure will help!
In 2001 a handful of St. Anthony-New Brighton area parents wanted the community’s kids to have a positive, creative activity during the summer. These parents decided to produce a one-act play during an annual community event called VillageFest.
The play (Bernice Bobs Her Hair) called for about a dozen young-adult and adult performers, but director Kari Steinbach created supporting roles for numerous elementary and secondary students. Performances would take place at the St. Anthony Village High School auditorium.
During its early years SACT operated under the umbrella of a non-profit organization called ACTION, which emphasized engaging children and adults in intergenerational activities. In SACT’s early years ACTION provided guidance and financial-management services. Interest in the theater grew rapidly. In 2004, SACT leadership made two important decisions: to pursue its own non-profit organization status and to produce a show that provided more opportunities for community engagement and intergenerational participation. SACT’s first major musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was a smashing success. By the end of the year SACT was recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and it has been producing family-friendly shows that continue to attract broad community participation.
Drawing from local and surrounding communities, SACT’s productions have included actors who have performed on stages throughout the country and professionally in local theaters such as Plymouth Playhouse, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Children's Theater Company, the Guthrie, and the Ordway.
SACT remains focused on providing opportunities for neighbors to create something great together and share it with the broader community. In all of our shows, the cast and crew includes local theater professionals working alongside first-timers, retirees, business professionals, young adults, youth, and entire families. The result is creating a strong sense of community while developing real theater skills and having fun!
