In the summer of 1963, TRP moved to 1308 Stevens Avenue.The move brought stability and encouraged a larger audience. But it also brought changes. There was a transition from a member-oriented theatre to a theatre serving the entire community. Hildgendorf retired as the company artistic director and TRP began its current policy of hiring guest artistic directors for each production. The Moppet Players, the forerunner to Children’s Theatre, and the new Guthrie Theatre were bringing an influx of talent into the Twin Cities. The theatre began a second stage of major growth and development:

• From 1965-69, the University of Minnesota’s Office of Advanced Drama Research worked with TRP in creating a “playwright’s laboratory”, a new concept in which playwrights would work with directors and actors in developing scripts.

• In 1967, TRP toured the state to help communities develop their own theatre groups, through a special grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.