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Dakota Stage and Shade Tree Players

June 25, 2026

Looking Ahead at Dakota Stage

As we look ahead to the next year and Season 48, Dakota Stage is entering a season of thoughtful change, steady improvement, and stronger connection with the people who make this theatre what it is.

At our June board meeting, we talked about several areas we want to keep strengthening:

  • Clearer and more consistent communication
  • More transparency around creative team opportunities and selection processes
  • Continued improvements to our theatre space, including seating, facilities, and behind-the-scenes production needs
  • More ways for volunteers, patrons, board members, and community members to get involved
  • A stronger overall experience for the artists, families, production teams, and patrons who are part of Dakota Stage

One of our biggest goals moving forward is to communicate more openly and consistently. After board meetings, we plan to share regular updates so our community has a better sense of what we’re working on, what’s changing, and where we’re headed.

We’re also working on making it easier for people to understand how to get involved. That includes clearer communication around creative team opportunities, what happens after someone applies, how decisions are made, and more ways for volunteers, patrons, board members, and community members to support the work happening here.

We’re continuing to look closely at our theatre space as well. From seating and facilities to the behind-the-scenes needs that help each production run smoothly, we want Dakota Stage to feel more comfortable, functional, and ready for the future.

As we prepare for Season 48, we’re thinking not only about what happens on stage, but also about everything that supports it — the people, the systems, the space, the communication, and the community behind the scenes.

Dakota Stage has so much to be proud of. We want to honor the people, traditions, and hard work that helped build this theatre, while also making room for the changes that will help us keep growing.

We’re grateful for everyone who is part of this community, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

Change creates growth, and we’re ready to keep growing together.