08/07/2025
Dear Friends, Family, Former Cast & Crew, and My Community,
With a heavy heart and a flood of bittersweet memories, I (Sean Donahue, Owner/Founder) announce the closure of Central MN Theatre. For five extraordinary years, I’ve poured over $350,000, along with countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears—matched by the dedication of so many of you—into this passion project. Through late nights, hundreds of miles traveled, truckloads of sets, props, and costumes, thousands of rehearsal hours, and relentless determination, we built something unforgettable.
Together, we sold over $250,000 in tickets, welcoming more than 10,000 audience members to experience the magic of theatre across the St. Cloud area. From the vibrant Red Carpet Nightclub venues to the performance spaces at Cathedral High School, Sauk Rapids Rice High School and Middle School, and our cherished studios in Sauk Rapids and Foley, this journey has been a testament to resilience, creativity, and love for the performing arts.
What began with a spark in August 2020, qftwr my brother, a few close friends, and I dreamed up centralmntheatre.com, I never would have believed we would have gotten this far. By December of that year we hosted our first official meeting set the stage, and in July 2021, we launched with “Downtown Underground,” a private burlesque event at The Studio Downtown St. Cloud. Momentum grew with “A Night at the Movies” musical showcase and our original play “Spacial” at SCSU’s Black Box Theatre in August, followed by the electrifying Rocky Horror Show at the Red Carpet that October, sparking a beloved annual tradition.
In 2022, we captivated audiences with a nostalgic Labyrinth event at the Red Carpet in February, followed by Jesus Christ Superstar at Sauk Rapids Rice Middle School in April and Re**er Madness at the Red Carpet in May. Immersive events like the Vampire Ball in July and Monster Bash in October brought unforgettable energy, while our original film Waking Night premiered at The Pioneer Place in September to a packed house. We closed the year with The Rocky Horror Show returning to the Red Carpet and a heartfelt A Christmas Carol at Cathedral High School in November.
In 2023, we pushed boundaries with The Nightmare Before Valentines in February, Bring Back the 90s in May, and Dressed To Kill in August, all at the Red Carpet. Mainstage productions included Rent in June at the Red Carpet, W***y Wonka in July at Sauk Rapids High School, The Rocky Horror Show in October, and both Fiddler on the Roof at Sauk Rapids Middle School and Ebenezer’s Dry-Goods and Pharmaceuticals at Cathedral High School in November. That year, we proudly opened Studio CMNT in downtown Sauk Rapids, a dedicated space for rehearsal and creation.
In 2024, our creativity soared. We launched dinner theater with Scripts & Savories in February at Studio CMNT, followed by special productions like It’s Not a Phase, Disco Night, and Rocky’s Brains & Brawn Birthday Bash at the Red Carpet. Mainstage shows included American Idiot in April, Company in July, The Rocky Horror Show in October, and Little Shop of Horrors in November, alongside another dinner theater series, Dine & Drama, in September at Studio CMNT.
In 2025, late 2024, we expanded to a larger studio in Foley, kicking off with an open house event, the Foley Craft & Chord Fest outdoor concert and art fair, and perform our final production, Macbeth: In Plain Talk, where I not only got to direct and adapt the script, but also star as King Duncan, sharing the stage in our final closing chapter.
This adventure—through the highs of standing ovations, real marriage proposals (not to mention a separate wedding, ordained by a cast member, all on our stage- to the lows of empty seats, funding crunches, and relentless unforeseen forces — has been the absolute greatest experience.
I hope Central MN Theatre has forged unbreakable bonds, sparked lifelong friendships, and reminded others of the raw power of storytelling.
Putting an end to this blessing has been the hardest, most gut-wrenching decision of my life. One that pulls at every fiber of my being, leaving me grappling with the reality of saying goodbye to something that became my everything.
To every soul who’s been part of this odyssey: the performers who bared your vulnerabilities on stage, the behind-the-scenes warriors who bled sweat (and sometimes actual blood) to make the impossible real; the audiences who braved the cold Minnesota nights to fill our venues with applause and energy—thank you.
From the depths of my heart, thank you for your trust, your talent, your time, and for turning Central MN Theatre into a beacon of joy and expression for so many wonderful souls in our community.
As the curtain falls, know that the stories we’ve shared don’t end here. I encourage you to learn from our past experiences and apply it to your next venture.
With boundless gratitude and a full heart, farewell Central MN Theatre. Any help getting the word out regarding our closeout sale, TBA, is greatly appreciated. Everything deserves a new home.
