The Growing Stage, Ltd. is a theatre company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our mission is to provide theatrical experiences to inspire, empower and enrich children and communities. We began in 2003, offering a variety of classes for kids, ages 4 – 17. In 2004, we added our very popular summer intensive workshops. Our goal is to help kids cooperate, communicate, create and celebrate through theatre. This training ground prepares students to not only succeed in their personal endeavors, but also to audition for our main stage shows for performers and audiences of all ages.
We added Main Stage productions to our list of offerings in 2006. So far, our productions have all been based on literature. The idea is to inspire kids to read. Our first show was A Year with Frog & Toad, based on the books by award-winning children’s author Arnold Lobel. This southwest premiere at the South Broadway Cultural Center consisted of a cast of adults in leading roles with featured kids. This provided a great learning environment for kids, where adults mentored them, both onstage and backstage, and created a family of people working toward the common goal of a quality performance. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A Year with Frog & Toad played to hundreds of Albuquerque families and included special school time performances for elementary school classes.
Our second show, Seussical – Theatre for Young Audiences Version played in August 2007 at the University of New Mexico’s Rodey Theatre. The production, based on the books and characters by Dr. Seuss delighted audiences. Once again, adults and children worked together to share the important and relevant lessons of Dr. Seuss with our greater community. Letters of thanks and praise flooded our office from appreciative Albuquerque families.
In October 2007, we raised the bar with a beautiful production of Little Women, The Musical, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, at the South Broadway Cultural Center, with a cast and crew of adults and teens and a 12-piece orchestra. Not only did audiences laugh and cry and thoroughly enjoy the tale of the March sisters but Albuquerque Theatre critics raved.
“From the moment the delightful orchestra struck its first notes I sat transfixed. The performers were as good as anything I have seen in any Equity house in Los Angeles or New York.”
- Nancy Jeris for the Albuquerque Theatre Guild
“Across the board, the “Little Women” cast is excellent.”
- Ravin’ Richard of KKIM AM Radio
“The sisters especially shine... Erin Warden brings plenty of energy to Jo. She belts out her first act curtain song “Astonishing” in true Broadway fashion... The production moved the family audience to shrieks of joy and a standing ovation.”
- Barry Gaines for the Albuquerque Journal
Enriching the Albuquerque community has always been our focus. The support we’ve received has been tremendous. In a recent community poll by Albuquerque the Magazine, the Growing Stage, Ltd. was voted one of the top three local organizations in the categories of Best Kids Classes and Best Summer Camp! We will continue striving to work with the community to meet our goals and the needs of families in our area.
As we look to the future, we are grateful to be in a position to enrich the arts environment in the greater Albuquerque area. In 2008, we will continue our work, but as a non-profit organization. Our plan is to work with more individual and business sponsors, as well as grantors, to bring the joy and magic of theatre to even more families. Our 2008 shows will also include benefit performances for other organizations working with kids and families in need. For more information about our classes, staff, events and how to contact us, please visit our website at www.thegrowingstage.com.
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