GUTHRIE THEATER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WITH AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY
Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy a free, fun-filled day of workshops, directing demonstrations, storytelling, theater activities and backstage tours at the Guthrie’s landmark home on the river
Open House: 20 Years on the River
Sunday, August 30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Minneapolis/St. Paul) — The Guthrie Theater (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) today announced a free, community-wide open house on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate 20 years in its riverfront home on the Mississippi River. Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy family-friendly activities, self-guided backstage tours and special programming throughout the building during Open House: 20 Years on the River. To RSVP and see a schedule of events, visit guthrietheater.org/openhouse.
One of Minnesota’s most recognizable cultural landmarks, the Guthrie’s current building on South 2nd Street was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and opened to the public on June 25, 2006, with TIME magazine calling the three-stage complex a “21st-century dream factory.” Since then, the building has welcomed millions of patrons and guests to experience theater performances across three stages and explore its iconic architecture and unparalleled views of downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River.
“Twenty years ago, the Guthrie moved from its original location on Vineland Place to the Mill District and welcomed the community into a new chapter of the theater’s history,” said Artistic Director Joseph Haj. “This remarkable facility was made possible by the generosity of thousands of Minnesotans who came together to create a world-class cultural destination for our region.”
Haj added, “As we celebrate 20 years in this location, we’re thrilled to open our doors and invite the community that helped build the Guthrie to celebrate this exciting milestone with us and shine a light on the Guthrie’s future.”
Guests will enjoy a full afternoon of free programming throughout the Guthrie, beginning with a moderated Q&A with Artistic Director Joseph Haj at 11:15 a.m. on the McGuire Proscenium Stage. Activities include:
- Self-guided backstage tours
- Summer camp samplers and story times
- Drop-in education classes and mini workshops
- Directing demos
- Guthrie history highlights and trivia
- Photo and video booths
- Food trucks
Open House: 20 Years on the River is supported by the Guthrie’s Illuminate Campaign, an $80 million fundraising initiative that invests in artistic excellence, strengthening the theater’s endowment and funding critical improvements to the guest experience, ensuring the Guthrie remains a vibrant, welcoming and artistically dynamic destination for generations to come. Learn more at guthrietheater.org/illuminate.
Land Acknowledgment
The Guthrie would like to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.
The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) is an American center for theater performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dedicated to producing a thrilling mix of classic plays and bold new work while cultivating the next generation of artists and theatergoers. Under Haj’s leadership, the Guthrie is guided by four core values: Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility. Since its founding in 1963, the theater has continued to set a national standard for excellence in the field and serve the people of Minnesota and beyond.
Located on the Mississippi River in the historic Mill District, the Guthrie houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms, dramatic public spaces and Indígena by Owamni, a one-of-a-kind dining destination led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Sherman. Open to the public six days a week, the Guthrie welcomes audiences and visitors from the Twin Cities, the region and around the world to experience exceptional theater, breathtaking architecture and riverfront views at one of Minneapolis’ most notable civic and cultural resources. guthrietheater.org
