Speaking Out

Speaking Out Collective uses storytelling and story-making to spark the curiosity and imagination of children, educators and communities.

Rooted in the arts, we question, create and reimagine narratives.

04/30/2026

Our teen cast of Curly, the Autistic Sheep is hitting the road next week! Join us at one of the public library events below for a family-friendly interactive puppet show:

Saturday, May 9th at 3:30pm
Merriam Park Library
1831 Marshall Ave, St Paul

Saturday, May 16th at 10:30am
Highland Park Library
1974 Ford Parkway, St Paul

Curly the sheep is autistic, and it really hurts their ears when the rest of the flock baaa's too loud. Curly runs away from the flock and meets an autistic rooster who helps Curly understand that they're a pretty great sheep just the way they are. Post-show, audience members will be invited to participate in an art-making activity with the performers.

See you at the library!

02/24/2026

Introducing our youth programming for summer 2026 at the Center for Performing Arts!

Join us for a 3-week camp (June 15 - July 3) that aims to develop the visions of our youth via theatre and storytelling!

Laura Mann Hill (SOC teaching artist, director, playwright and licensed elementary classroom teacher) will facilitate the camp, and the youth will drive the content as they work toward a community performance on the last day of camp.

To learn more and sign up today:
https://www.cfpampls.com/summer-camps-2026

Scholarships are available. See you at the Center!

02/16/2026

Join us for moments of joy alongside community at public libraries this March with live performances of our puppet show, Sparky: The Dog Who Loved to Move! With the guidance of mental health professionals, the show explores ADHD in developmentally appropriate ways for early learners and up.

Free family performances in March will take place at the following public library locations:

Saturday, 3/7 at 10:30am - Shoreview Library
(4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126)

Saturday, 3/14 at 10:30am - White Bear Lake Library
(2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110)

See you there!

01/21/2026

There's still time to register for auditions this Sunday (January 25th)!

Calling all teen actors! A *joyful* opportunity is kicking off this week:

Auditions for our Winter 2026 touring musical puppet show, Sparky, the dog who loved to MOVE!, a story about ADHD. Performances will take place for young audiences in preK classrooms and libraries. Actors who are cast in the play will be paid for all performances.

Audition info is as follows:
Sunday, January 25th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Roseville Library
2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

To register for auditions, use the QR code or click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevAKi8zbSwrDqjhy3x0qg90Jv1jzGQPBmSv_bWyFHuw86Y5A/viewform

We hope to see you there!

01/09/2026

Calling all teen actors! A *joyful* opportunity is kicking off next week:

Auditions for our Winter 2026 touring musical puppet show, Sparky, the dog who loved to MOVE!, a story about ADHD. Performances will take place for young audiences in preK classrooms and libraries. Actors who are cast in the play will be paid for all performances.

Audition info is as follows:

Sunday, January 25th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Roseville Library
2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

To register for auditions, use the QR code or click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevAKi8zbSwrDqjhy3x0qg90Jv1jzGQPBmSv_bWyFHuw86Y5A/viewform

We hope to see you there!

12/16/2025

May your holidays be filled with curiosity and wonder, just like the incredible students we have the great privilege of working with each day.

12/10/2025

‘Tis the season for celebrating student voices! Throughout the next week, final sharings will take place at two of our Minneapolis residency partner schools. Each elementary classroom chose a favorite story from our Speaking Out sessions this fall and they’re putting the final touches on student-created short plays to proudly perform in front of family and friends!

12/03/2025

To our Somali neighbors: You are seen. You are valued. You belong here.

Somali Minnesotans are business owners, our health care workers, our local educators, taxpayers, parents, students, and members of our beloved community.

We stand with you.

11/13/2025

Support Speaking Out Collective while eating a tasty meal at My Burger! (gluten-free and vegetarian options included on the menu)

Where?
My Burger - Uptown (3100 Excelsior Blvd, Minneapolis 55416)
www.myburgerusa.com (online orders use the promo code FUN)
*online orders must be placed through the Uptown location for the fundraiser*

When?
Wednesday, November 19th from 5:00-8:00 PM

How does this benefit Speaking Out?
My Burger loves to give back to non-profits, and 25% of all net proceeds earned between 5-8pm that evening will be generously donated to Speaking Out Collective! How cool is that?

Please tell your friends, and we'll see you at My Burger Uptown!

11/11/2025

Thank you to the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub at the University of Minnesota for supporting our curriculum development work!

Read more about what we’re up to in this latest article at z.umn.edu/auyg

10/28/2025

Thanks to generous funding from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, we have our first two teen casts of Fluff, the Duckling Who Wouldn’t Swim! Eight teenage performers from across the metro area will perform at early childhood sites over the next two months, engaging young audience members and their families in a musical puppet show that explores anxiety and what to do when it feels scary to try new things.

This is just the beginning of a year-long project where we will cast and rehearse three separate puppet shows, all performed by teens. We can’t wait to take you along with us on this journey toward healthier minds and bodies for all, and with young people leading the way!

Address

3100 Excelsior Blvd
Minneapolis, MN
55416

Website

https://www.speakingoutcollective.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Speaking Out posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Speaking Out:

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Minneapolis?