WHOEVER YOU ARE By Mem Fox Springs To Life At Stages Theatre Company

Stages Theatre Company's 2017-2018 season continues with the uplifting Whoever You Are, based on the bestseller by award-winning children's author Mem Fox with illustrations by Leslie Staub. Weaving a colorful tapestry of contemporary world music, dance, culture and celebration from countries around the globe, Whoever You Are illuminates the common threads we all share despite our many differences.

Whoever You Are springs to life on the main stage on Friday, April 20th and runs through Sunday, May 20th. It is recommended for all ages. Tickets are on sale now! Visit www.stagestheatre.org for specific performance dates and times, or call the Box Office Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 pm at (952) 979-1111, option 4. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, ages 60+ and children.

Travel the world from the comfort of your seat as The Cloud Cowboy takes the audience on a global adventure, from China to Africa, India to the Caribbean and beyond. Featuring a diverse cast speaking multiple languages, families will experience a beautiful feast for the senses in this World Premiere.

The hour-long production was adapted for the stage by St. Paul playwright Jeannine Coulombe, who, as part of the development process, facilitated residencies in seven culturally diverse Twin Cities elementary school classrooms and one in South America. The insights and experiences collected from these students have been incorporated into the script. "The thing that struck me about the students' responses was how themes of family, school, and friendship emerged across the board, regardless of cultural background," Coulombe says. "That's really the heart of this whole production."

Whoever You Are is directed by Melanie Salmon-Peterson, with music and lyrics by Aaron Gabriel and musical arrangements and mixes by Eric Warner. Salmon-Peterson says, "Stages Theatre Company is striving to be radically welcoming and inclusive in everything we do, and we are proud to have a diverse, multi-cultural cast for Whoever You Are. Presenting this show to audiences will be fun, and also very important. It's a message people need to hear."

The Cast: Simone Alexa (SAM) , Alexandra Arrell (NOOL), Dasha Berezhanskiy (MAR), Celia Birgy (SHILOH) , Tristan A. Brown (CLOUD COWBOY) , Faith Culbertson (UNDERSTUDY), Michael Culbertson (REENIE), Lucy Daniels (RAY) , Mia Dougherty (JO), Edric Duffy (ALEX), Hailey Felt (SHI), Jasmine Garry (MOL), Soren Miller (CARI), Elycia Morales (LAN), Sylvie Hooker Reese (LU), Israh H. Ugas (NEENEE), Annarose Woelm (CICI)

The Creative Team: Artistic Director - Sandy Boren-Barrett , Director - Melanie Salmon-Peterson , Production Apprentice - Faith Culbertson, Stage Manager - Bridget Gustafson, Set Designer - Tiffany Fier , Technical Director - Jim Hibbeler , Lighting Designer - Mike Kittel , Music Director - James Lekatz , Resident Costumer - Lisa Mangone, Sound Designer - Alan Pagel , Production Manager - Melanie Salmon-Peterson , Props Designer - Kenji Shoemaker, Choreographer - Nikki Swoboda , Assistant Director - Katie Tuminelly, Costume & Make Up Designer - Mary Woll

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox is produced with permission of the author.

Accessibility is a core value of Stages Theatre Company, and the organization is committed to removing barriers to participation in the theatre arts. Families and schools facing financial challenges are invited to submit ticket, tuition, and bus subsidy requests through STC's Open Door Program by visiting https://www.stagestheatre.org/tickets/open-door-program/ or calling (952) 979-1112.

STC also provides accommodations for patrons with hearing, vision, and other physical challenges, as well as sensory-friendly performances for patrons with autism or other sensory sensitivities. STC now provides tactile boxes (available at the box office) for audience members to explore costume fabric, props, and other components from the production (items labeled in Braille when possible). For details on accessible performances, please visit http://www.stagestheatre.org/about-us/accessibility/

Stages Theatre Company is dedicated to creating a space where diverse opinions, courageous dialogue, and local, national, and international community engagement is not only valued, but vital to our shared artistic and educational success. We make this pledge in hope of curating a welcome home for all.

Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with themes relevant to their lives and involve them in creating magical works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through theatrical productions, workshops, conservatory classes and other outreach programs, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 145,000 young people and their families.