The Park Square LAB Series provides Minnesota-based theater artists the opportunity to stage their work at Park Square Theatre—without the barrier of rental fees. Whether artists choose to develop ambitious new work, restage and/or reimagine a previous production, Park Square aims to provide the space and encouragement for artists to flourish. This initiative reflects Park Square Theatre’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a vibrant, dynamic arts ecosystem in the heart of Downtown St. Paul.
When
What is it?
There are FOUR LAB artist slots available for the 26-27 season. Artists will create a 50-60 minute piece, selected through an application process. Artists will create and rehearse their piece offsite until the week of their performance where rehearsal space will be provided at Park Square at no cost. LAB artists will perform as part of a double-featured performance for a 4-show run. Marathon Monday (Monday, April 26) all four artists will present once more and celebrate the end of the series!
Performance Structure
LAB Series will feature TWO artists each weekend:
Theater Location: Andy Boss Theater
All performances will be held in the Andy Boss Theater. This theater has a thrust stage with a 200-seat house. If selected for the LAB Series, tours of the space may be granted upon request.
Who should apply to this program?
Come one, come all! We will consider applications from artists of all experience levels and disciplines (Theatre, musical theatre, dance, puppetry, clown etc.). With that in mind, the applicant must be able to demonstrate an ability to produce a 50-60 min performance that is structured and appropriate for public presentation.
Administration
Free rehearsal and performance space for 1 week. Potential opportunity for additional rehearsal space – subject to PST Mainstage scheduling.
All Front-of-House operations (tickets, staffing, etc.) will be managed by Park Square Theatre.
Ticket sales will be split 3-ways each weekend between the two LAB artists and Park Square Theatre – minus the cost of technician labor.
Performances will be included in all Park Square Theatre weekly marketing emails and posted to the PST website.
Production
Black stage, basic black softgoods
Access to QLAB 5
Artists should bring a USB Drive with MP3 files of desired sound effects/cues
Basic light looks programmed from standard lighting plot (No hanging, No re-focusing)
Access to Park Square prop storage throughout the process
A Park Square Technician to program and run lights and sound. Lead artists will have a 2 hour paper tech with Technician prior to Final Dress. Thursday prior to opening night each performandce will have a 3 hour Tech/Final Dress rehearsal.
Technical Guidelines
Park Square does not own a projector/projection surface. A cyc may be hung and works okay for front projection. Artists will need to rent their own equipment if projection is desired.
No glitter, flame/fire, or smoke/fog
No painting of any theatre floors or surfaces
Your set needs to be set up/struck within 10min. There is a 20-Minute intermission between performances – 10 minutes for stike, 10 minutes for set up.
Artistic Support
It is our expectation LAB Series artists will develop a complete, audience ready 50-60 minute show. Park Square Theatre reserves the right to review content or language deemed unsafe, hateful, or inappropriate if there is not proper artistic merit backing its use in the performance.
What does Park Square expect of the artist?
$100 refundable deposit upon acceptance into the program.
Please reach out if this is a barrier to your application. The deposit will be held in the case of a cancellation from the artist or artistic team.
Artists will produce a cohesive 50-60 minute performance that is audience ready.
Artists must meet all deadlines and answer all communication in a timely manner (24-48hrs).
Artists will attend bi-monthly check-ins (In-person or Virtually) with the Director of the Park Square LAB Series, Greta Erickson, erickson@parksquaretheatre.org
Flexibility with Park Square staff as we continue to build this program!
Artists will support all marketing efforts through their own audience development.
Treat the space with respect: keep it clean and safe for others.
Artists must purchase a Certificate of Liability for the weekend of performances (PST staff can help in this process)
Please complete the form to apply for the 2027 LAB Series. For questions, contact Greta Erickson erickson@parksquaretheatre.org
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