Explaining The Soo Theatre Project – What Is This Place?

Cellists at STARS Strings Concert at New Hope Church

Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on in the building that houses the Soo Theatre Project? The Eastern Upper Peninsula’s only non-profit community arts center is a diverse and encompassing enterprise serving students and the community at large in many ways, some of which may surprise you!

In addition to a full spring, summer, and fall performance schedule which includes a straight play, two musicals, an opera, and specially themed events such as the annual Mike Dempsey Show, The Soo Theatre Project offers a wide range of class offerings. These classes are what is known as the STARS part of STP. The classes are the training ground for performances, with performance skills being developed all year long. The school part of STP (STARS) creates performers!

Just what can you, your children, or your grandchildren learn at STARS? Lots! Violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, voice, harp, clarinet, flute, and ukulele are all available. If there is an instrument not listed above, we can find a teacher for you. There are classes all year round, as well as group lessons in piano, voice, strings, dance, art and theatre. And this January some new dance classes are being added to the lineup!

Swing Dancing in Studio C at Soo Theatre

Big and Little Ballet and Big and Little Hip Hop will take place at the theatre on Wednesdays beginning in January. New STARS dance instructor Ashley Burger will teach beginning ballet and hip hop in this unique and fun format. “Big” refers to any older student, teen or adult, who would participate in the class with their “little,” child, sister, niece, nephew…you get the idea. Come be a part of a unique experience with a young one that is special in your life with the joy of learning dance together.

Music Together, the nationally acclaimed music program taught at Soo Theatre by Sault, Ontario’s own operatic soprano and performer Sarah Gartshore, returns in January for another session. Music Together was created for a parent or caretaker to do with their child from birth all the way to age five. Children delight in their first experiences with music in this renowned early music program. And parents have a great activity to do indoors, sheltered from the winter weather on Thursday mornings.

In addition to performances and classes, the Theatre hosts concerts, too! Last year, five popular bands performed on the historic stage including The Accidentals and The Organgrinders. The first concert for next year’s series, the Ben Daniels Band, is booked for April 22! Ben Daniels is the son of the U.P.’s own Jeff Daniels and has an awesome band that is coming to our own theater.

New Horizons at Tour of Homes Tea at Faith Lutheran

The Soo Theatre Project also provides ample space for community events such as the annual FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) fundraiser concert and the annual War Memorial Hospital meeting. Just last week, the theatre was proud to host the community Festival of Trees.

There are also off-site events, too. Violin lessons are happening at many of our local elementary schools. The Avery Center is a local favorite place for the various orchestras to perform, especially at the holiday season. The Pickford PAL Center has been host to private lessons and summer camps. Local churches also host STP performances such as the Central Methodist church on Spruce Street at Christmas and in the Spring. The New Hope Church in Kincheloe just hosted the STARS Strings Concert. St. James Episcopal Church was home in the fall to our flute choir. We thank our neighbors and community for being a part of the Soo Theatre and STARS.

Auditions for our Spring Youth Theatre production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” will be held early in January. Stay tuned for these as well as our summer show auditions and announcements about “The Somewhat True Tale of Robinhood” directed by Cedarville’s Lisa Dunn, “The Wizard of Oz” directed by artistic director Karen Hughes Beacom, and “Die Fledermaus” produced by our very own Soo Opera.

Iyla Beaulieu singing at the Tour of Homes Tea

There are many ways to join the positive happenings at STP. Sign up for a class or two, purchase a gift certificate, audition to participate in performances, volunteer in the office, and donate to the Belong To Something Big fundraiser campaign going on now. Every donation no matter the size goes toward maintaining the happenings at The Soo Theatre Project.

At the Soo Theatre Project, there is always something for everyone all year long. Call at 906-632-1930, visit at 534 Ashmun Street downtown Sault Sainte Marie, MI, or, like us on Facebook at Soo Theatre Project, Inc.