CREATIVITY - COMMUNITY - PASSION -
CREATIVITY - COMMUNITY - PASSION -
CREATIVITY - COMMUNITY - PASSION - CREATIVITY - COMMUNITY - PASSION -
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Be inspired by all the amazing artists setting our stage ablaze with their art and talent. See upcoming shows below!
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Find your spark here at the Phoenix! We would love to host your event and Phoenix Theater is available for theater rental and general public events.
Main Stage
$1350/week or $350/night
Week-long Rentals & Single Day
Rehearsal Room(s)
Start at $25/rehearsal
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Mission
Arts’ Nest exists to nurture and support emerging artists and arts professionals – through creating access and opportunities for learning, connections, and visibility.
Upcoming Shows & Events
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Nutcracker Noir
Thursdays - Saturdays, December 20th - 28th at 7:30p
Sunday, December 22nd at 5pTwelve years have passed and Clara has long forgotten her childhood visit to the Land of the Sweets. On Christmas Eve, as the clock strikes midnight, our beloved heroine wishes for her adult fantasies to come true. The discarded Nutcracker doll is rediscovered and Clara's favorite Uncle Drosselmeyer brings him back to life again, this time with a naughty twist...
Journey with Clara to a reimagined Land of the Oh So Sticky Sweet, ruled by its dominating Mistress, the Sugar Kum Fairy. Your imagination will run wild as you are seduced by the delicious Kinky Court, featuring Ballet, Ballroom, Belly Dance, Bounce, Burlesque, Chair Dance, Cirque, Comedy, Drag, Heels Dance, Jazz, Pole Dance, and more!
Join us for a holiday treat to remember!_____
This event is recommended for audiences age 18 and older.
This event will run approximately 2 hours.
This event will contain adult language and themes, and partial nudity.
This event will contain loud noises.
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Smartmouth Ruins: Cutthroat Kitchen
Saturday, December 21st at 10:30p
Smartmouth Ruins is a monthly (or so) comedy show at the Phoenix Theater that brings you familiar characters from television, with a twist. Leave your reverence for the original at the door, through script changes and guided improv, Smartmouth delivers fan fiction like you've never seen before... utterly ruined. It's a little script, a little improv and a lot of ridiculous!
This month's show? A very special holiday edition of CUTTHROAT KITCHEN!
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This event is recommended for audiences age 18 and older.
This event will run approximately 90 minutes.
This event may contain adult language and themes.
There are no effects warnings for this event.
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Improvocation
Thursday, January 9th at 7p
Improvocation is a monthly showcase featuring long-form improvisational theater groups from the Twin Cities area.
Their forms are varied and unique but they will be sharing a common source of inspiration: tales from a special guest kick off each set.
Which themes and piece of story will they carry over into their scenes? You might be surprised. We certainly will be.
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This event is recommended for audiences of all ages.
This event will run approximately 90 minutes.
There are no content warnings for this event.
There are no effects warnings for this event.
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You Know Maaacus
Friday, January 10th at 8p
This is a comedy show where comedian Marcus Smith aka You Know Maaacus former co-host of the 5150 show w/ Corey Holcomb is headlining and bringing friends. This is a hilarious show you don’t want to miss!
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This event is recommended for audiences age 18 and older.
This event will run approximately 2 hours.
This event will contain adult language.
There are no effects warnings for this event.
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Dealing With Dragons
January 17th - February 2nd
Fridays and Saturdays at 7p, Sundays at 2p
Bonus matinee, Saturday, January 25th at 2p
Bonus Show, Thursday, January 30th at 7pCimorene may be a princess, but she is much more interested in learning fencing and Latin than boring things like etiquette. Instead of doing what she’s supposed to, she takes off on an adventure to befriend a dragon. Dealing With Dragons, the beloved young adult fantasy novel by Patricia Wrede, is finally being adapted for the stage this winter. Phantom Chorus Theatre is collaborating with Arts Nest to bring you a fantastical, visual, magical feast - huge dragon puppets, villainous wizards, and adventurous princesses await audiences of all ages.
The Friday and Sunday performances of Dealing With Dragons will be live-streamed! Click here for tickets to the livestream.
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This event is recommended for audiences of all ages.
This event will run approximately two hours.
There are no content warnings for this event.
This event will contain haze or fog effects.
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Transcendence
Saturday, Jamuary 18th at 10:30p
A Trans-Cabaret performance! Click the ticket link for more info.
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This event is recommended for audiences age 18 and older.
This event will run approximately 90 minutes.
May contain partial nudity, suggestive language, and adult themes.
There are no effects warnings for this event.
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Late Night Spotlight
Saturday, January 18th at 10:30p
Our open stage show is about celebrating art and trying new things.
A space made for everyone to present a new act or work a new trick out. All while putting on a stunning show for our audience.
Click the ticket link for more info.
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Stolen Focus
Wednesdays - Saturdays, February 15th - March 1st at 7:30p
Sundays, February 16th - March 2nd at 2:00pOur ability to pay attention is collapsing. Inspired by the bestselling book of the same name by Johann Hari, Stolen Focus explores why our attention span is getting so short and what we might be able to do about it. Written by Brenda Varda in collaboration with the cast, and co-created with Director Vanessa Brooke Agnes, Stolen Focus is a unique interactive event exploring modern life. Steal back your focus. Ticket price includes a gift at the end, picked for mind quieting purposes.
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This event is recommended for audiences age 13 and older.
This event will run approximately 90 minutes.
This event contains some adult language.
There are no effects warnings for this event.
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A Pink Triangle
Friday, June 20th - Saturday, June 28th at various times
Pay-What-You-Will on Monday, June 23rd at 7:30pA Pink Triangle shines a light on an often overlooked victim-survivor group of the Holocaust, homosexual men. The story, set in a concentration camp, focuses on an intolerant father and his gay son as they attempt to find common ground, hope, and forgiveness. Written by local playwright Kirby Taylor and directed by Kjer Whiting.
Nurtured by The Arts Nest Fledgling Program
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This event is recommended for audiences age 13 and older.
This event will run approximately 90 minutes.
This event will contain adult language and themes, stage violence, suicide, sexual assault, homophobia, and racial issues.
This event will includes sudden loud noises.
“…a fantastic place to see a good, local, and intimate show.” ★★★★★
— Jonathan H., Yelp
Kindling
A list of helpful links, contacts, and resources for artists, actors, and producers.
Hatch Education
Classes for producers, technical artists, and performers.
Fledgling Program
Our production assistance program for developing companies, show ideas, and artists.
Plumage
Did you know our lobby is also an art gallery?Check out the current artists whose work is on display and for purchase!
Welcome to The Phoenix
Welcome to Phoenix Theater, where the spirit of community, creativity, and passion ignites the stage!
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Uptown, Minneapolis, we are more than just a black box theater; we are a haven for grassroots performing arts, cabarets, plays, improv shows, dance performances and more. Our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging is reflected in our multifaceted space, designed for both seasoned performers and enthusiastic patrons.
Our mission is to foster a community where the arts come alive. With an onsite team dedicated to curating unforgettable experiences, we invite you to join us in celebrating the magic that unfolds within our black box walls.
Immerse yourself in the creative energy as you explore our main stage, several rehearsal rooms, and a cozy community café – perfect for unwinding before or after a show.
Come be a part of our story, and let the Phoenix spark your imagination!
“This is one of the best places to stage a play, for any type of show or fundraiser or whatever creative thing comes to mind.” ★★★★★
— Jeong Park - Google Review
The Spaces
A unique and comminuty focused Minneapolis small theater and rehersal spaces for rent by productions, special events, and educational classes.
Main Stage- 14'x28'
Rehearsal Rooms
Blue - 20'x32'
Yellow - 16'x32'
Pink - 14'x25'
Lobby & Sparks Café - Spacious lobby with café tables and chairs, lounge area, and concessions area.
Passion
Community
Creativity
Minneapolis Black Box Theater Rental
Open for theater companies - dance - cabaret - education -private events - rehearsals
Behind the curtain, Arts’ Nest is the non stop non-profit that operates The Phoenix as a live performance venue, nurtures and support emerging artists and curates arts professionals programming.
We are so grateful to be a part of this amazing arts community and look forward to creating with all of you.
Mission Statement
Arts’ Nest exists to nurture and support emerging artists and arts professionals – through creating access and opportunities for learning, connections, and visibility. This is accomplished through a variety of programs including our Hatch education branch, our Fledgling new productions program, the Kindling directory of additional resources and the Plumage & Sparks ongoing exhibit of visual art in the Phoenix Theater lobby.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to broaden and deepen the Twin Cities’ artistic community by providing its newest members vital financial, physical, and human resources that have a significant impact to elevate those artists to the level in their career.
Values
Community - Creativity - Passion
Join Our Newsletter
Burning to know when the next show is? Never miss an update and reminders to buy your tickets when available.