Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Date Modified: 02/26/2008 10:11 AM

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Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Saint Paul, is Minnesota's premier performing arts center. The Ordway features a variety of arts, including musicals, theater, concerts, orchestra, opera, dance, multicultural programming, and children’s festival. It also serves as home to several local arts organizations including The Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Schubert Club.

The Ordway began as a dream for Sally Ordway Irvine, who, in 1980, challenged her Saint Paul community to help her create a performing arts venue to offer "everything from opera to the Russian circus." She set the precedent by making the first donation to a fund that would eventually build the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

In 1985, the $46million center opened to the public. The Ordway seats 1,900 in its Main Hall, 306 in the intimate McKnight Theatre, it also contains two rehearsal halls, and magnificent lobbies on both floors.

The Ordway is a home for all performing arts, offering enrichment and a sense of tradition in Saint Paul. Check out their website for upcoming performances and ticket information.