Running to Places
Mission Statement
Running to Places
provides area youth with theatrical opportunities in
which they are the primary artists and technicians,
advancing knowledge in their respective crafts through
the support of professional mentors. We are committed to
making theatre more accessible to teens, and will do so
by holding productions in a variety of locations with no
mandatory fees.
History
Running to Places was
created by Joey Steinhagen in 2007 to fill an empty
niche. With so many talented and eager young artists
across Tompkins County, why weren't there more
opportunities for them to perform? Most have access to
one musical a year at their schools. Some (but not all)
schools also do a play or variety show. There usually are
some roles for young performers at the Kitchen Theatre
Company and Hangar Theatre. There are awesome things
happening in Orange Tree Theatre Company and Shakespeare
in the Basement. But none of these focuses exclusively on
doing big ol' Broadway musicals featuring casts of dozens
of teens. That's what we do.
"I grew up in northern New Jersey doing about four shows
a year in a community theatre company called Song &
Dance Associates," says Director Joey Steinhagen. "We did
A Chorus Line, George M., Dames at Sea – we did West Side
and Oklahoma in the same summer one year! I learned
nearly everything I knew about theatre prior to college
[at IC] working in that company, and made some of the
best friends of my life, too. I want there to be
something like that here."
Running to Places puts the focus on youth. The shows are
performed, designed, crewed, stage managed, etc. by
teens. All have their knowledge of their respective
crafts advanced by professional mentors. They have the
opportunity to meet and work with new friends from all
over the county – some of whom they never might have had
the chance even to meet.
Theatre brings people together in unique and unexpected
ways. We look forward to seeing you working on or in the
audience of one of our shows soon.
The
Staff
Get to know
the people
behind
Running to Places.