About

Northern Starz began in 2010 as an educational theater.

Our Mission

Partnering with community and families to provide quality performing arts education.

Our Core Values

Arts Education, Inclusive Relationships, Enjoyable Experiences, New Adventures

Our Vision Statement

To be Innovative Performing Arts Educators in Partnership with Families and the Community.  

If you've wondered about Northern Starz in Ramsey, our roots were with an informal organization within district 11 community education that was designed to bring the theater experience to young students in the north suburban area of the Twin Cities who had a desire to learn about theater (or who perhaps just wanted to be in a play). In 2012 the informal organization producing the advanced shows was organized into what is now known as Northern Starz Theatre.

Since then Northern Starz has produced dozens of shows, and is currently in rehearsals for K-12th grade shows, our Social Interest Troupe, Workshops and we are preparing for our summer Penguin Project Show that features Students with Disabilities performing along mentors. Past productions include Annie Jr., Night at the Wax Museum, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Hee Haw Hayride, Alice@Wonderland, The Nutcracker,  Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, Babes in Toyland, Kokonut Kapers, Flapper, A Christmas Carol, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, and The Snow Queen.

The mantra "you learn theater by doing theater" is a guiding principle for us - so we involve our students in nearly all aspects of theatrical production. Currently, students can participate as actors, stage managers, theatre technicians, and lighting design. In the future, we are hoping to expand these offerings to include playwriting and directing opportunities for students through our Education Program. 

Our Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Northern Starz Children’s Theatre, we are creators of an art that relies on human empathy–we aspire to create a community for our students and families built on respect, belonging, collaboration, and creativity.  As artists, we embrace the value of all people. We thrive to reject any form of bigotry, discrimination, or hatred, and we seek to cultivate an environment in which our differences are explored with curiosity and openness.   

Diversity and inclusion are intrinsic to our theatre and crucial to continued growth, knowledge, and understanding, which brings our students to life on stage.  These values do not organically come into being nor sustain themselves by chance or by positive thinking. Both require intention; and both are magnified in rehearsal, play selection, casting, and our many other collaborative artistic processes, as we value distinctive voices from a range of cultural and personal perspectives. Northern Starz Children’s Theatre recognizes that our individual and collective commitment to diversity and inclusion must be proactive and mindful.  

Northern Starz Children’s Theatre strives to acknowledge and cultivate diversity and inclusion in its theatre education, productions, and administration, including upholding a constructive theatrical environment where the similarities and divergences of individuals are appreciated and respected.  

We are deeply committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion at Northern Starz Children’s Theatre, and will strive to carry out this commitment with regard to variances in culture and circumstance including gender, race, ethnicity, age, language, disability/ability, sexual orientation, class, region, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Northern Starz currently serves students and families in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake, Becker, Zimmerman, Champlin, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Lino Lakes, White Bear Lake, Minneapolis and St. Paul. We partner closely with local schools and communities to ensure that anyone wishing to experience the theater arts can do so.

Northern Starz Theatre Company is a registered 510(c)(3) organization within the state of Minnesota existing as a formal non-profit since 2012.