About Youth Classes

• Please register for classes in your student’s current grade or age-range
• Register online or by phone (651-225-9265)
• SteppingStone cannot make exceptions to admit students into a specific class who are too young/too old for the program

• Online registration requires full payment by credit card at time of purchase
• All classes require a $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit
• Deposit is required to hold a place in the class
• Flexible payment plans are available! Class payment is due in full no later than 2 weeks before the start of class.
• Scholarships are available! Please view our scholarship page for full details and to complete an application.
• Register by phone (651-225-9265) to pay only the deposit, set up a payment plan, pay by check, or pay by cash
• No discounts available

SteppingStone Theatre retains a $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit with all class registrations. If SteppingStone cancels a class, you may join a different class, or receive a full refund including your deposit amount. If you cancel a registration, for any reason including illness or emergency, SteppingStone will retain the $50 deposit and other fees as outlined:

• Cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to the start date: Full refund less the $50 deposit
• Cancellation between 1 & 2 weeks prior to the start date: A class credit for the registration amount less the $50 deposit, to be used on a future SteppingStone class within one year of cancellation.
• Cancellation within 1 week prior to the start date or after the start date: No refund. No exceptions.

We welcome everyone! At SteppingStone we are committed to access and inclusion for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, orientation, ability, or economic circumstance. We frequently work with families to meet students’ needs be it social, academic, developmental, or physical. SteppingStone respects students’ gender expression by using preferred pronouns and providing access to gender-neutral facilities. Approximately 20% of our students are on financial assistance as we have ample access to financial support in the form of scholarships & payment plans. If you are in need of assistance or accommodations, please give us a call at 651-225-9265.

Please download our comprehensive School Year Drop-Off & Pick-Up Protocol.

Drop-Off Pick-Up

In order to keep our students safe & healthy, SteppingStone implements a No Food Sharing Policy. This means students are only allowed to consume food/beverages that were provided to them by their caregiver. SteppingStone does not allow students to swap or share food items. Teaching Artists & SteppingStone Staff will not provide students with treats or snacks. Students who wish to bring treats or snacks for their class on special occasion are asked to, instead, provide their class with a small trinket or toy.

Creative Learning Office Staff and many of our Teaching Artists are trained to administer epi-pens and call 911 in the event of medical emergency. For students with allergies that require epi-pens (or other injectors) we request to be made aware of the severity of the allergy & location of the life-saving medication up-front. Epi-pens should be stored in the student’s backpack or (ideally) with the Teaching Artist at all times.

SteppingStone takes several precautionary measures to avoid crisis including peanut-free zones in each classroom, a no food sharing policy, hand washing after meals & wiping-down surfaces that have come in contact with food. When students with severe allergies are in our classroom, an extensive action-plan is put in place, approved by the caregiver, with the Teaching Artist receiving one-on-one training for how to prevent a reaction and respond if one should occur. Teaching Artists closely monitor food breaks. For our youngest students, snack-breaks are conducted by sitting in a circle with the teacher. The students with allergies will sit next to the teacher so the teacher can closely monitor. Hands are thoroughly washed, and surfaces thoroughly wiped following each break.

We see many students with severe allergies in our camps and work with the caregiver to ensure the student is able to participate fully while staying safe & healthy.

SteppingStone does not have a nurse or medical professional on staff. All Office Staff & many of SteppingStone’s Teaching Artists are trained in CPR, First Aid & the administering of Epi-Pens. All Teaching Artists and Creative Learning Staff receive annual training on protocol for responding to medical emergencies. In the event of a medical emergency, SteppingStone will call 911 and notify caregivers. SteppingStone is immediately next-door to a fire department and trained professionals can be on-site in a matter of minutes. Caregivers are responsible for any/all expenses incurred.

For students who require daily doses of medication, Creative Learning Staff cannot administer medication without an authorized note. If a student is feeling unwell or is behaving in an a-typical manner, a caregiver will be notified and the student will be sent home. SteppingStone will not administer over-the-counter pain relievers or other medications if a student begins to feel unwell, even at the request of the caregiver. Caregivers are welcome to stop-by our theatre and administer any medications to their student in-person.

Please download our comprehensive Illness Policy

Illness Policy

Please download our comprehensive Emergency Action Plan

Emergency Procedures Plan

Please download our comprehensive Behavior Action Plan

Behavior Action Plan

We believe student safety and security is critically important. We take attendance at the beginning of each class and call to check-in with families if a student is absent. During transitions out of the classroom, head-counts are taken along with occasional role-calls. During class, periodic head-counts are taken. Lunch and recess are closely monitored by at least 2 adult SteppingStone staff. All adults who supervise students are required to know how many students are in their care at all times. During student pick-up, SteppingStone implements a supervised check-out process. SteppingStone Staff & Teaching Artists are prohibited from being one-on-one with students in any non-public space. SteppingStone Teaching Artists & Staff are prohibited from contacting students or families outside of SteppingStone and/or eliciting friendships with students and/or their families.

At SteppingStone, we respect each student’s gender identity and refer to each student by their preferred pronoun and name.

SteppingStone has gendered, non-gendered, accessible, and single-stall restrooms. Students are allowed to use the restroom that best suits their gender identity or use the single-stall restroom for additional privacy or comfort. Classes take several group restroom breaks during the day. During group restroom breaks, teachers monitor for hand washing and disruptive/inappropriate behavior. Students are allowed to use the restroom, as needed, throughout the day.

Students under Grade 7 are not allowed to use their electronic devises or toys during class time, snack, lunch, or recess (with the exception of e-readers) unless prescribed by a medical professional. Students in Grades 7-12 may be permitted to use electronic devices as educational tools, or recreationally during break-times, provided use does not become distracting or inappropriate. Students in Grades 7-12 may also be permitted to use their phone to contact their caregiver at the beginning or end of the day only. SteppingStone is not liable for the exchange of contact information via devices or for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed devices and toys. SteppingStone reserves the right to confiscate devices or toys that have become distracting or inappropriate and return them at the end of the day. If devices or toys are confiscated, we request the item(s) not return to class.

For all enrolled, if you would like to reach your student during class hours, please call our main line at 651-225-9265. Students wishing to speak with their caregiver during class hours will be instructed to call from our office phone.

SteppingStone will never share your information with outside parties. Our website & database are securely encrypted and credit card information is not kept on file.

SteppingStone Theatre regularly photographs and records its programs and participants to document its programs for its funders and to promote programs in the community. When such photographs or videos are used in brochures, advertisements, or other promotions, children are not identified by name. When completing paperwork for class, you have the ability to opt-out of this policy.

55 North Victoria Street, St. Paul, MN 55104.

We’re two blocks off of Summit Ave, next to Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Theatre Explorers (Ages 3-4) = 10 max
Page-to-Stage (Ages 4-6) = 15 max
Create-a-Play & Build Your Skills (Grades 1-3) = 18 max
Explore Performance (Grades 4-6) = 20 max
Teen Workshops (Grades 7-12) = 25 max

Many of our classes see about 3/4 capacity. Very popular themes will reach maximum capacity.

Our classes are staffed by professional Teaching Artists who are highly trained, experienced educators & arts professionals. For Grades 1-12 we typically have one Teaching Artist and one floating Classroom Assistant. For our PreK & Kindergarten classes, we typically have one Teaching Artist and one Teaching Assistant on each class. All adults who interact with our students are annually background checked.

All classes will have a Sharing on the final day of class. Because our programs are process-driven, we primarily focus on the learning that happens in the classroom each day. Sharings are not neatly polished performances, but rather an opportunity to showcases the hard work student have accomplished throughout their class time. Sharings may include favorite games, exercises, scenes or short student-generated plays. To learn more about specific performance/sharing content & times, please select the class you’d like to register for on our Summer or School Year registration page.

Our classes are process-driven and focus on the overall learning experience. Classes may perform in the classroom, rehearsal hall, or on one of our two stages; depending on space scheduling for the week. Typically, our PreK students perform in the classroom, and our Grades 1-12 students perform on either our small or large stage.

SteppingStone typically casts students ages 14-18 in our Mainstage productions. Occasionally, we will cast students as young as 12. Casting is conducted through an audition process where not all students will be cast. We typically see between 50-100 auditionees and have space to cast approximately 20 students. We highly encourage students to continue auditioning if they are not immediately cast. Our auditions are designed to be non-intimidating and beginner-friendly. We welcome all skill & ability levels to try-out. To learn more about our auditions please see our Auditions page or check Minnesota Playlist.

Too young to audition? Register for our classes and build the skills you need to be successful when your time comes!

Are you audition-aged but not quite ready for the audition competition? Check-out our LEAP program!

Auditing a class by parent, caregiver, or student is not available.

Parents, caregivers, family members (including siblings), and friends are not able to observe/sit-in on class. All are welcome to wait in our Lobby during class. We have comfy chairs, wifi, and coffee.

For classes during the school year, please register for the class(es) available in your student’s CURRENT grade-level or age-range.

We understand that some students thrive in an environment including students either younger or older than their peer group. However our age ranges are firm and we cannot make exceptions.

Please send your student in comfortable clothing that allows for movement (nothing too restrictive or too baggy) and closed toe shoes. Flip-flops, dress shoes, or shoes without backs are discouraged for safety reasons. Students will be participating in rigorous physical activity, and working on messy art projects. Clothing may get dirty, stained, or torn. All art products we use are washable. SteppingStone is not responsible for damaged attire. 

partial-day classes: pack a snack & water bottle

Full-day classes: pack 2 snacks, a lunch, and water bottle.

SteppingStone does not have refrigerator, microwave, or vending machine access.

A change of clothes or layers is recommended depending on student age and/or weather conditions. A backpack is recommended to easily store belongings. Students are responsible for keeping track of their personal items. SteppingStone has a lost & found. Please call if you have misplaced something.

Students can be dropped-off for class no earlier than 15 minutes before class start time. Students can be picked-up for class no later than 15 minutes after class end time. Any student dropped-off/picked-up outside this 15-minute window will be considered “Extended Care” and will be charged as such ($1 for every minute over time). No exceptions. Our school year classes do not have an Extended Care option.

SteppingStone does not have a patron parking lot. There are two Accessible parking spaces next to our Accessible Entrance for those who need it. Free street parking is available on all the streets surrounding our building (including Victoria, Holly, Ashland, and Portland). Parking is typically easy to find. Allow yourself an extra 5 minutes to find parking and walk to our theatre. Please be mindful of parking signs & restrictions. SteppingStone is not responsible for ticketed vehicles. Parking or idling in the alleyway/staff lot is prohibited.

Yes! With the exception of our Mainstage’s upper balcony, all parts of our building are Accessible by elevator. Please inquire about specific accommodations. We frequently make accessibility accommodations to ensure all students can participate fully in class and all audience attendees can enjoy the class’ final Sharing.