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New Stage (1969)

The building on Stevens Avenue was sold (today the site of the Minneapolis Convention Center) and TRP was forced to move. Fortunately, there was a fire-damaged warehouse and restaurant, Bimbo’s Pizza Parlor and Dance Emporium, for rent in historic Seven Corners, in the Cedar-Riverside area near the University of Minnesota.

With design supervision by Ralph Rapson and Associates (designers of the original Guthrie Theatre), and thousands of hours of “sweat equity” by volunteer workers, the turn-of-the-century building was transformed over the 4-month construction period.

TRP is one of very few local theatres with all operations under one roof. Its 27,500+ square feet houses the stage, rehearsal space, makeup and dressing rooms, a scenic shop and storage, costume shop and storage, props storage, offices, and more. The highlight of the new space was the modern, arena theatre. Its 245 seats are only seven rows deep, so no seat is more than 30′ from center stage. “When they converted Bimbo’s, the theatre created excellent sightlines in its intimate arena.” St. Paul Pioneer Press

Theatre in the Round moved into its new home in 1969 in time to open its 18th season with The Killing of Sister George.