Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to reopen its doors this September

ST. PAUL, Minn. (June 3, 2021) - The Arts Partnership announced today that the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Saint Paul will reopen for performances beginning this September. September will mark the first in-person indoor shows at the Ordway in more than 18 months. The Arts Partnership comprises the four highly acclaimed organizations that perform regularly at the venue – Minnesota Opera, the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club. Each will announce its upcoming season in the coming weeks.

"This is the longest that Ordway stages have been dark in our 36-year history," said Christine Sagstetter, interim president and CEO. "Our organizations are thrilled to soon welcome returning and new guests alike to create special memories at the Ordway once again."

"So much has changed since the Ordway closed its doors in early 2020," said Ryan Taylor, president and CEO of the Arts Partnership and president and general director of Minnesota Opera. "Our community has faced a pandemic and been a part of renewed calls for social justice here in Minnesota. This reopening will be a meaningful moment for performing arts lovers to finally come together again after a difficult period away."

The Arts Partnership will prioritize health and safety in its reopening plans, following the latest public safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Minnesota Department of Health and local requirements from the City of Saint Paul. In preparation for welcoming audiences back into the building as safely as possible, the Ordway has upgraded its air filtration system to increase air flow and bring in more outside air and has installed high-efficiency MERV 13 air filters. It has also implemented enhanced cleaning practices throughout the building. For more information on these safety protocols, visit Ordway.org.

"We cannot wait to experience live events with everyone this fall, and doing so safely for guests, employees and artists is our highest priority," said Andy Luft, vice president of building operations and production at the Ordway.

Leading up to the reopening this September, each organization has virtual and outdoor events scheduled this summer. Upcoming shows include the Ordway's Ordway Cabaret: Live at the Loading Dock outdoor performances and Flint Hills Family Festival in June, Minnesota Opera's Albert Herring streaming from May 22-June 5, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's outdoor concerts June 4-13 and livestream from the Ordway Concert Hall on June 12, and the Schubert Club's outdoor concerts at the State Fairgrounds June 3-10 and virtual concerts to be announced this summer.

ABOUT THE ARTS PARTNERSHIP

The Arts Partnership was conceived by the four highly acclaimed organizations that perform regularly at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts – Minnesota Opera, the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Schubert Club. The Partnership's mission is to strengthen its organizations in service to the community through growing collaboration and stewardship of its shared assets. Formed in 2006 with considerable input from community leaders, the Partnership joined together to solve persistent challenges arising from sharing a multi-purpose venue. Together the group collaborated on an $83.8 million Capital Campaign to build the state-of-the-art 1,100-seat Concert Hall on the Ordway's campus. Equally important, the campaign provided an endowment to help ensure the long-term stability of all four Arts Partners by providing rent relief that allows each organization to keep ticket prices accessible and invest more in their missions. The Partnership continues to work together to maintain the Ordway facility, to expand access for other community arts organizations to perform in the Concert Hall, and to engage in collaborative artistic programming.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Ordway is the arts epicenter of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and one of the leading nonprofit performing arts centers in the country. Founded on the belief that performing arts should be wide-ranging and accessible to all, the Ordway is home to a variety of performances that encompass the finest in Broadway musicals, concerts, dance and vocal artists. The Ordway serves thousands of children each year through its education programs and presents the annual Flint Hills Family Festival. Known as the most comfortable place to catch a show in Minnesota, the Ordway includes a magnificent 1,900-seat Music Theater, a state-of-the-art 1,100-seat Concert Hall and spacious lobbies. The Ordway is a proud member of the Arts Partnership, a collaboration comprising the Ordway, Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club. The Ordway aims to reflect the communities it serves and address barriers to ensure everyone can experience the power of the performing arts.

ABOUT MINNESOTA OPERA

Founded in 1963, Minnesota Opera has paved a bold, illustrious path. As an artistic pioneer, its dedication to excellence and inventive vision make it a steadfast leader in the opera community and beyond. Each year the company reaches nearly 400,000 people through its mainstage productions, groundbreaking education and training programs, community engagement, radio broadcasts and digital content. Heralded for its commitment to develop original works, the company has commissioned and produced more than 40 new operas that have been seen throughout the world. One of the nation's largest and most distinguished opera companies, Minnesota Opera is consistently recognized for its innovation and world-class artistry, delighting audiences young and old for more than 55 years. Together with the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, Minnesota Opera is a member of the Arts Partnership and performs on the stage of the Ordway. mnopera.org.

ABOUT THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Renowned for its artistic excellence, remarkable versatility of musical styles and adventurous programming, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. Now in its 62nd season, the SPCO is primarily an unconducted ensemble that performs a broad range of repertoire from Baroque to new music and presents more than 100 concerts and educational programs in the Twin Cities each year. The orchestra's free online Concert Library receives more than 350,000 visits annually and offers live and on-demand concert videos that can be viewed anytime, anywhere, completely free of charge. Additionally, the SPCO has released 67 recordings, commissioned 150 new works and tours nationally and internationally. Nationally recognized for its commitment to accessibility, the SPCO performs in several venues across the Twin Cities and offers the most affordable ticket prices of any professional orchestra in the United States. The SPCO's CONNECT education program reaches over 3,000 students and teachers annually in 10 Minneapolis and Saint Paul public schools, and its Target Free Family Music program provides engaging and educational experiences for thousands of Twin Cities children and families each year.

ABOUT SCHUBERT CLUB

Founded more than 135 years ago, Schubert Club is one of the nation's most vibrant music organizations, enriching Minnesota with dynamic concerts, music education programs and museum exhibits. Schubert Club currently reaches 2,000 youth annually through varied activities such as family concerts, teacher and student workshops, free music lessons in neighborhood locations, and scholarships that allow young students to pursue their music studies more intensively. In addition, the Schubert Club Museum, located in downtown Saint Paul's historic Landmark Center, holds a world-class collection of historic keyboards, original letters and manuscripts of famous composers, and musical instruments from around the world. Schubert Club maintains a commitment to affordable ticket prices for all concert presentations, as well as cost-free education programs and museum entrance, thanks to endowment gifts and annual donations. Schubert Club is one of four founding members of the Arts Partnership, programming a vibrant future for the performing arts in downtown Saint Paul together with the Ordway, Minnesota Opera and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. For more information visit schubert.org.