Brooklyn Park Theater Company Looks for New Home
At Elision Playhouse in Crystal, a smattering of kids rehearsed for Kaleidoscope Performing Art’s upcoming production.
They’re preparing for The Music Man Jr., which tells the timeless tale of traveling con man Harold Hill.
“This has a lot of surprises, the choreography is amazing it’s very in sync,” said Cami Thomassen, co-founder of Kaleidoscope.
While on stage, the children in this program find something beyond song and dance. Just ask parent Michelle Grazor — she’s got five kids in the show.
“The experience with the community at Kaleidoscope developed their character and gave them a sense of community that is really unmatched,” she said.
However, this isn’t just any performance for Kaleidoscope.
“This is our last production at Elision Playhouse after starting here in, it would have been June of 22′,” Thomassen said.
Actors with Kaleidoscope Performing Arts rehearse for The Music Man Jr., the troupe’s last performance at Elision Playhouse.
Elision is moving on from childrens’ performances, and Thomassen says they’ve outgrown the space.
Tickets for The Music Man Jr. have already sold out and there’s a substantial waitlist.
“We are on to so much more, so much more and we’re so excited,” she said. “We’re going to be building our very own performing arts center, so we have a partner that’s going to go in with us that has the same vision, and heart and mission for youth and families and community piece.”
Thomassen didn’t disclose where they hope to build the new arts center, but said it would be easily accessible in the metro.
Those plans come with a significant funding hurdle.
“Making a new building from the ground up is going to cost a lot of money — and we have a goal to raise $2.5 million,” said Frank Thomassen, co-founder of Kaleidoscope.
This deeply religious group isn’t overly concerned about funding the project, and is placing its faith in God and the community to make their dreams a reality.
“The word that I got is that if we build it, they will come. I really believe that,” Cami Thomassen added.
