To enhance the learning experience of current and future Theatre students, Anoka-Ramsey Community College Theatre faculty, Blayn Lemke coordinated a field trip. Accompanied by St. Francis High School Theatre teacher Glenn Morehouse-Olson, Lemke recently brought 40 Anoka-Ramsey students and 46 St. Francis students to the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis to get first-hand experience about how a show moves from an idea to the stage, including the costs.

The musical “Venus,” which is currently being produced by the Ritz for the Broadway stage, provided students rare access to the theatre’s creative team—author, lighting designer, stage manager and actors—and open discussions about the process of bringing a new play to the stage.

“I was so pleased to be part of providing the students with this unique opportunity,” says Lemke. “And I was impressed with the quality of discussion between the students and the professionals.”

Students also watched a rehearsal of the musical, witnessing the cast and musicians as they changed choreography, adjusted musical accompaniment and adapted to the fast pace of professional theater demands.

Following rehearsal, the students and the theatre’s creative team discussed the differences between student theatrical experiences and the demands of a professional theater.

“The students will remember the chance that they had to see a live rehearsal, speak with actors and actresses and see behind the scenes at the Ritz,” says Anoka-Ramsey Admissions Advisor, Ashley Weatherspoon.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids Campus produced three productions each year as well as student-directed one-act plays.  The Cambridge Campus stages one theatre production annually. Both campuses host performing art centers. Students have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of production including acting, stagecraft, lighting, costuming, stage management and assistant directing.

Anoka-Ramsey also offers a two-year associate in fine arts (AFA) degree in Theatre designed for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Many Anoka-Ramsey students continue on to four-year institutions, such as the University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Hamline University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Winona State University, University of Colorado and the University of South Dakota as well as others.

For more information about exciting Theatre happenings at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, please visit the Theatre Department Web page.